It's week three of the NHL top 15 and as the week's progress; the rankings get a little easier. The teams are hitting that tough stretch of February hockey before they have to really bring their A game in March for the playoff push. It's going to be a tight race all the way to the end and I'm looking forward to it. In addition to the playoff push, we also have the trade deadline coming up, which is now less than a month away. I've personally read quite a few rumors, but usually those don't pan out the way it's written. We'll have to wait and see what happens, but it will be a good one.

1. Boston Bruins (1) – The B's keep chugging along and retain the top spot for the second straight week. I personally have to wonder just how far they will go in the playoffs, but it will really come down to who they play. Some teams seem to match-up very nicely with them, while most of the teams don't.

2. Detroit Red Wings (3) – The Wings jump up to the number two spot, thanks to a free fall from San Jose. The Red Wings are a team that would truly scare me in the playoffs. They have enough experience to make a similar run again and they seem just as hungry. They have currently won four games in a row and are only two points behind San Jose for the top spot in the West.

3. San Jose Sharks (2) – The Sharks have lost three games in a row for the first time all season, which explains the drop in the rankings. They have a trip out East which includes a battle against the Bruins and game against the Sabres later in the week. One thing that works in their favor, they currently have a handful of games in hand compared to the other teams near them in the standings.

4. New Jersey Devils (4) – The Devils continue to roll and have made quick work of the Eastern Conference, going from 7th to 4th in a very short time span. I've never been a fan of their style of play, but I have to give credit where credit is due. As long as they keep playing this style of hockey, they should roll with it and take the division. From that point it will be a battle between themselves and Washington for the 2nd seed in the East.

5. Washington Capitals (6) – The Capitals continue to play strong hockey, but I won't be a true believer until I see them do it in the post-season. It doesn't say a lot to win the division they are in, but regardless of that, they show flashes of being a good team. If they were to match-up with a division foe in the playoffs, I wouldn't be so quick to tally up a series win for the Caps.

6. Chicago Blackhawks (7) – The Hawks have been somewhat average in the past week but they seem to have a firm grip in the West. Like I said before, they aren't catching Detroit, but they should still get home ice in the first round of the playoffs.

7. Calgary Flames (5) – The Flames had lost four games in a row until they faced off against the lifeless Canadiens last night and got back on track with a 6-2 victory. They still have a decent lead over Minnesota in the Northwest division, but they need to get back on the right track sooner rather than later.

8. Philadelphia Flyers (10) – The Flyers have won two games in a row and now only sit four points behind New Jersey for the division lead. I still think goaltending will be the downfall for Philly, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see. One thing is for sure, the race in the Eastern Conference is seriously log jammed from spots four through seven.

9. Buffalo Sabres (11) – The Sabres came back from the west coast trip in strong fashion, dismantling the junior league team posing as the Toronto Maple Leafs. They beat the Canadiens on Friday night and stole a point in Ottawa on Saturday. If the Sabres plan on making a run, they will have to have someone step up in Thomas Vanek's absence. I've read several rumors of the Sabres making a semi-major trade before the deadline, but that really isn't Buffalo's style so they might just rely on the young guys to step up.

10. New York Rangers (8) – The Rangers have lost five games in a row and if they lose a few more, they will be on the outside of the playoff picture. I personally don't see it happening, but I'm not complaining either. I've read that they may look at bringing Sean Avery back into the fold, so I'm ready to begin my hatred of the guy again. Sad to say, he might be exactly what the Rangers need.

11. Montreal Canadiens (9) – The Canadiens are truly free falling as of late. They gave up two huge points in Buffalo on Friday night and then lost to Toronto the following night. Unless they pick it up very quickly, I can see Buffalo and either Carolina/Florida catching them in the conference race. They are currently only two points ahead of Buffalo in the division and they are barely hanging on to the 5th seed.

12. Carolina Hurricanes (13) – Carolina has won two games in a row to hold on to the 8th spot, but that doesn't look like it will hold. If Florida were to make a major trade, it would essentially take them right out of the picture, so it will basically be up to Pittsburgh. Lucky for the Canes, the Penguins have been sucking pretty bad this year and they don't appear to be getting any better.

13. Dallas Stars (14) – Dallas has been a tear lately, going 8-2-0 in their last 10 games. They finally put Sean Avery on waivers so that appears to be behind them and they are focusing on playing good hockey. With such a tight race in the West, if Dallas were to miss the playoffs by a point or two, I would get a laugh knowing that Buffalo absolutely robbed them of a point earlier this season. It doesn't make up for 'No Goal', but it's still a good feeling.

13. Anaheim Ducks (12) – Anaheim is an enigma for me. They seem to have a good team put together, but they have been struggling for better parts of the season. I really don't see them doing a whole lot once the post-season rolls around, assuming they even make it. Word on the street is that they are shopping defenseman Chris Pronger. If they end up making that trade, you can officially count the Ducks out.

15. Florida Panthers (14) – Florida has been hanging around all season making teams in the East sweat. David Booth has been a real force this season and my fantasy team thanks him. They have a pretty easy game against Toronto this week before they face off against Carolina, NY Rangers, and Washington. Those three games will be HUGE for the Panthers.