Week 8: Fantasy team power rankings for 2018-19

NHL.com has updated the fantasy hockey team power rankings based on the latest top 200, with added emphasis put on top 100 players. Other factors taken into account include rank of goalie(s) and power play, lineup and injury trends and overall upside and team security for standard leagues.
Fantasy owners should use these rankings as a basis for team evaluation, add/drop decisions and trade proposals. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.

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TRENDING UP

Toronto Maple Leafs:The return of elite center Auston Matthews was enough for the Maple Leafs to retake the No. 1 spot in NHL.com's rankings. Matthews had three points (two goals, one assist) and five shots on goal in 14:56 against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday playing on a line with Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson. Forward William Nylander's future still remains uncertain entering Friday, but the Maple Leafs could have even higher fantasy upside if he signs. Defenseman Jake Gardiner has been held without a point in six straight games but, with Matthews back in the lineup, should be considered a buy-low trade candidate. UPDATE: Nylander signed a six-year contract with Toronto on Saturday.
Pittsburgh Penguins:Center Sidney Crosby has nine points (five goals, four assists) in five games after returning from an upper-body injury Nov. 21. Crosby's presence has had a positive impact on forward Jake Guentzel, who has seven points (four goals, three assists) over the same span. Defenseman Kris Letang has eight points (one goal, seven assists) in his past eight games. Right wing Patric Hornqvist (concussion) practiced Friday for the first time since sustaining the injury Nov. 23. When Hornqvist returns to the lineup, the Penguins will likely rejoin the top 10. Goalie Casey DeSmith is 3-0-0 with a .929 save percentage in his past three games against the potent offenses of the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets.

TRENDING DOWN

Philadelphia Flyers:Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has been held without a point and is minus-4 over the past four games. The Flyers are tied with the Arizona Coyotes for the fewest goals (14) since Nov. 14. Left wing James van Riemsdyk has been held without a point in the past four games but could reverse that trend if he maintains his shot volume (15 in six games since returning from injury). Goalie Brian Elliott will be out longer than initially expected after sustaining a lower-body injury against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 15. Right wing Wayne Simmonds faces uncertainty in a contract year (potential 2019 unrestricted free agent) and has three points (two goals, one assist) in his past nine games on mostly the third line.
St. Louis Blues: Goalie Jake Allen is 0-3-1 with a .907 save percentage in his past five games. The Blues are down to four players in NHL.com's top 200 rankings after Allen dropped out, but that could change if wing David Perron, who has four points (three goals, one assist) in the past two games, continues to produce. Several Blues players, including defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Brayden Schenn have buy-low appeal in season-long formats. Fantasy owners should also monitor forward Alexander Steen, who's back from injury and playing on the top line with Tarasenko and center Ryan O'Reilly.

FANTASY TEAM POWER RANKINGS FOR 2018-19

1. Toronto Maple Leafs (+1)
   2. Tampa Bay Lightning (-1)
   3. Winnipeg Jets (SAME)
   4. Colorado Avalanche (+1)
   5. Nashville Predators (-1)
   6. Washington Capitals (+2)
   7. Vegas Golden Knights (+3)
   8. Boston Bruins (-1)
   9. Columbus Blue Jackets (-3)
   10. Minnesota Wild (-1)
   11. Pittsburgh Penguins (+2)
   12. San Jose Sharks (-1)
   13. Buffalo Sabres (-1)
   14. Dallas Stars (SAME)
   15. Calgary Flames (+4)
   16. Florida Panthers (-1)
   17. Arizona Coyotes (+1)
   18. Edmonton Oilers (+3)
   19. Anaheim Ducks (+3)
   20. Philadelphia Flyers (-4)
   21. Montreal Canadiens (+2)
   22. St. Louis Blues (-5)
   23. Carolina Hurricanes (-3)
   24. Ottawa Senators (+1)
   25. Vancouver Canucks (+2)
   26. Chicago Blackhawks (+2)
   27. New York Rangers (-3)
   28. New York Islanders (-2)
   29. Detroit Red Wings (+1)
   30. New Jersey Devils (-1)
   31. Los Angeles Kings (SAME)
       Read: Week 7 Fantasy team power rankings