My colleagues Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun had control of the power rankings for the first two months. Now it's my turn to let the masses disagree with my choices -- and that means there's plenty of movement this week.
1. (Last week: 2) Montreal Canadiens, 17-6-2
During their five-game road trip (during which Montreal has gone 2-2-0), the Canadiens posted a 5-4 shootout victory over the Kings on Sunday. Forward Andrew Shaw has three goals in his past five games. Captain Max Pacioretty had two goals and one assist for three points, while goalie Carey Price recorded his league-leading 14th win.
2. (3) New York Rangers, 17-8-1
Rick Nash has two goals and one assist in the past three games. He's going into the dirty areas and has been an offensive force of late while also helping to mentor rookie linemate Jimmy Vesey.
3. (1) Chicago Blackhawks, 16-8-3
Goalie Corey Crawford had an appendectomy Saturday and will miss two or three weeks. He is 12-6-2, has a 2.27 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage. The Blackhawks now need to play better overall defense in front of backup Scott Darling during Crawford's absence.
4. (5) Pittsburgh Penguins, 15-7-3
Captain Sidney Crosby has two goals and five assists for seven points in the past four games. Overall, he has 26 points (16 goals, tied for the league lead, and 10 assists) in 19 games.
5. (6) Ottawa Senators, 15-8-2
With goalie Craig Anderson on personal leave to be with his wife who is battling cancer, fellow netminder Mike Condon made his second consecutive start. Condon is 3-1-1 and had 24 saves to help the Senators to a 2-0 win over the Panthers. It was his second shutout in five games since the Senators acquired him via trade from the Penguins on Nov. 2.
6. (9) Columbus Blue Jackets, 14-5-4
The Blue Jackets set a franchise record with a 60-shot performance during Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over the Coyotes. It was Columbus' third straight victory, and the Blue Jackets improved to 8-1-2 in their past 11 games. Columbus' five regulation losses are the fewest in the league.
7. (4) Washington Capitals, 13-7-3
The Capitals have lost three consecutive games (0-2-1) -- falling to the Maple Leafs, Islanders and Lightning. Washington will attempt to snap its skid against the rejuvenated Sabres on Monday night.
8. (14) San Jose Sharks, 15-9-1
The Sharks had an emotional 4-1 win over the Kings on Wednesday. San Jose has dealt with a busy schedule of late, including a stretch of 10 games in 18 days, and is 6-3-1 during that span.
9. (7) Tampa Bay Lightning, 14-11-2
Tampa Bay has gone 4-5-1 in its past 10 games. Forward Brian Boyle scored the shootout winner to help the Lightning snap a four-game losing skid with a victory over the Capitals on Saturday.
10. (23) Philadelphia Flyers, 14-10-3
The Flyers had a pair of character wins over the Blackhawks and Predators, and have won five straight to match the franchise's longest winning streak since 2013-14.
11. (8) St. Louis Blues, 14-7-4
Alexander Steen scored his 200th goal in his 765th game during Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Jets.
12. (15) Edmonton Oilers, 14-10-3
The entire hockey world held its breath when Oilers captain Connor McDavid left Sunday's game in the second period against the Wild because of the league's concussion protocol. Fortunately, he returned in the third period and showed no ill effects. It would be devastating to Edmonton's hopes to lose its best player for any amount of time.
13. (12) Los Angeles Kings, 13-10-2
The Kings are 6-2-2 in their past 10 games but dropped a 5-4 shootout decision to the Canadiens on Sunday.
14. (11) Minnesota Wild, 12-8-4
Eric Staal -- who has five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 20 games -- has added so much to the Wild both on and off the ice. And Charlie Coyle is starting to heat up.
15. (18) Boston Bruins, 14-10-1
Who knows where the Bruins would be this season without goalie Tuukka Rask? He made a season-high 35 saves en route to a 2-1 win over the Sabres on Saturday and is 13-4-1 with a 1.60 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage.
16. (22) Winnipeg Jets, 13-13-2
After missing 23 games because of injury, forward Bryan Little has four points in four games while logging plenty of ice time. The Jets had a huge 2-1 win over the Blackhawks on Sunday during which Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves.
17. (25) Calgary Flames, 13-13-2
After breaking his finger, forward Johnny Gaudreau was expected to miss six weeks. It took him only three weeks to get back, and he wasted no time having an impact, scoring a goal and adding an assist against the Ducks on Sunday in his first game back.
18. (10) Nashville Predators, 11-9-4
Filip Forsberg needs to produce more. He only has two goals after scoring 33 in 2015-16.
19. (13) Anaheim Ducks, 12-9-5
The Ducks dropped an embarrassing 8-3 loss to the Flames on Sunday. Ryan Kesler scored two goals in that game and now has 21 points in 26 games.
20. (16) New Jersey Devils, 11-7-6
Even goalie Cory Schneider needs a day off. So backup Keith Kinkaid took advantage of his opportunity and led the Devils to a 5-4 overtime win over the Predators on Saturday. He's 3-1-2 with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage.
21. (17) Florida Panthers, 12-11-2
A week after making a coaching change, the Panthers are 1-1-1 under new coach Tom Rowe. Florida will face the Bruins and Flyers on back-to-back nights on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
22. (19) Dallas Stars, 10-10-6
Goalie Kari Lehtonen made 23 saves to lead the Stars to a 3-0 win over the Avalanche on Saturday. It was his first shutout of the season.
23. (20) Carolina Hurricanes, 10-10-5
Goalie Cam Ward was outstanding in his 30-save performance to lead the Hurricanes to a 1-0 win over the Lightning on Sunday. It was his 25th career shutout.
24. (21) Toronto Maple Leafs, 10-9-5
Rookie Auston Matthews has five goals and one assist for six points in his past five games. Overall, he has 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points this season.
25. (29) Buffalo Sabres, 9-10-5
The return of Jack Eichel has paid instant dividends for the Sabres. He missed the first 21 games with a high-ankle sprain and has three goals and one assist for four points in three games. His presence adds an entirely different level of speed and finesse.
26. (24) Detroit Red Wings, 12-11-3
Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen had an assist against his former team in a 4-3 win over the Islanders. He spent 10 seasons with the Islanders before signing a six-year deal with the Red Wings on July 1.
27. (26) Vancouver Canucks, 11-12-2
The Canucks finally showed some emotion in a 3-2 shootout win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday.
28. (27) Arizona Coyotes, 8-11-4
Despite a 3-2 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets, Coyotes goalie Mike Smith recorded 58 saves to set a franchise record.
29. (28) Colorado Avalanche, 9-13-1
Defenseman Erik Johnson will be sidelined 6-8 weeks after breaking his leg while blocking a shot during Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Stars.
30. (30) New York Islanders, 9-10-5
Anders Lee recorded his 100th point, while Josh Bailey extended his points streak to five game during Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Red Wings.