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LHH Power Rankings: Beat-the-Rang-ers Edition

Plus, let's start talking about how to open up the game?

By ICanSeeForIslesAndIsles
Somehow, this guy didn't get first star last night. Or any star.
Somehow, this guy didn't get first star last night. Or any star.
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

OK another short article, but I'm gonna throw another hypothetical question to you at the end.

Weekly Roundup of Opinion Polls

Site Updated New Ranking Prior Ranking Comments
SportsNet 3/22/2017 17 14 [What Was Your Team Doing the Last Time Detroit Missed the Playoffs Edition] "Pat LaFontaine had a 105-point season and still managed to be a minus-13 player."
ESPN 3/20/2017 19 18 Only 10 games into his NHL career, prospect Josh Ho-Sang has three goals and three assists for six points. Islanders GM Garth Snow was shopping the 21-year-old forward at the deadline, but Ho-Sang has shown his potential to have an impact in Brooklyn.
TSN 3/21/2017 ??? ??? Outside the top 15, which is all that's reported. New format that doesn't appear to be very complete.
THN 3/22/2017 19 17 Three points out of the final playoffs spot in the Eastern Conference, the Islanders play seven of their last 11 games on the road
Average 18.3 16.3 A little of this, a little of that.

LHH Power Rankings

For games through 3/23/17

LHH LHH
GP W L T Pts Rating
1 Washington Capitals 72 39 17 16 94 122.2
2 Columbus Blue Jackets 72 36 19 17 89 118.3
3 Pittsburgh Penguins 72 37 17 18 92 118.1
4 Minnesota Wild 72 37 22 13 87 117.3
5 New York Rangers 74 37 25 12 86 113.4
6 Chicago Blackhawks 73 35 20 18 88 112.4
7 Anaheim Ducks 73 34 23 16 84 108.3
8 San Jose Sharks 73 35 24 14 84 108.2
9 Ottawa Senators 72 32 24 16 80 107.4
10 Montreal Canadiens 73 29 23 21 79 106.1
11 St. Louis Blues 72 32 28 12 76 105.3
12 Edmonton Oilers 73 30 25 18 78 104.7
13 Toronto Maple Leafs 72 27 23 22 76 104.1
14 New York Islanders 72 28 26 18 74 103.8
15 Nashville Predators 72 30 25 17 77 102.7
16 Boston Bruins 73 32 29 12 76 100.8
17 Calgary Flames 73 29 28 16 74 99.9
18 Tampa Bay Lightning 72 26 29 17 69 99.5
19 Carolina Hurricanes 71 25 27 19 69 99.1
20 Winnipeg Jets 73 28 33 12 68 93.7
21 Buffalo Sabres 74 22 32 20 64 92.6
22 Los Angeles Kings 72 21 31 20 62 91.2
23 Dallas Stars 72 26 33 13 65 91
24 Florida Panthers 72 19 30 23 61 89.9
25 Philadelphia Flyers 72 20 31 21 61 88.3
26 Detroit Red Wings 72 16 32 24 56 87.3
27 New Jersey Devils 72 18 33 21 57 86.6
28 Vancouver Canucks 72 18 34 20 56 81.9
29 Arizona Coyotes 73 17 37 19 53 78.9
30 Colorado Avalanche 72 14 49 9 37 67.1

That's all for now. Not even a snide comment on loser points (the Isles would be on the outside looking in even if all tied games at the end of 60 minutes were made into actual ties).

OK, Next Thing to Try to Improve

We've discussed improving the standings points system. We've discussed ways to minimize the shootout. I'm going to be a bit more terse with this one. I have my own idea which I was going to write in this space this week, but it'll have to wait until next week, so let's see what you guys come up with first...

The League is always looking for ways to open up the game and increase scoring. Their solutions have been reducing goalie equipment by tiny amounts, adding a trapezoid behind the next, and penalizing a team for two full minutes if they accidentally shoot the puck over the glass.

More recently, Mike Bossy suggested making a special area in front of the next that doesn't allow any clutching, grabbing, or hitting, similar to a key in basketball.

The question is... What one rule would you change or institute to open up the scoring? Bonus points if you critique your own suggestion (pros and cons, if any).

And.... Go!