The NHL power rankings for January 23 are out and the Las Vegas Golden Knights are the new No. 1 team in the land. Yes, Las Vegas is the best team in the NHL! When the Golden Knights first hit the ice in their inaugural season just a little over three months ago, not many fans knew what to expect. No, as we get ready to flip the calendar to February, the Knights are dreaming of a Stanley Cup run! Wouldn’t that be something if the Golden Knights went to the NHL finals in their first season of existence?

Power Rankings show southern charm

When most folks think of NHL hockey, Canada and cold cities in the US usually come to mind first.

Toronto, Detroit, Quebec, Montreal, etc. This week’s rankings have a southern charm to them. The top 10 teams in my latest NHL rankings are all teams that usually never have to experience snow storms or even prolonged cold temperatures for that matter - yet they are currently the cream of the crop in the NHL. Here they are!

1. Las Vegas Golden Knights (31-11-4): This is the sports story of the year that is not getting enough attention. Never before has an expansion team won a championship in any of the four major sports. Could Las Vegas be the first? They have the talent to, that's for sure! Veterans James Neal and David Perron are proving oddsmakers wrong.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning (31-12-3): Steve Yzerman is building a winner in Tampa and this year may be the season he hoists the Stanley Cup for the first time as a GM.

3. Nashville Predators (28-11-6): The Predators are red hot. Winners of five straight and 7-2-1 in their last 10, Nashville is making a run at first place Winnipeg in the Central.

4. Boston Bruins (27-10-8): Undefeated in their last 10 games, (7-0-3) the Bruins are priming up for a run in the East.

5. San Jose Sharks (26-14-6): The Sharks are always treading water this time of year.

These guys just know how to win year after year. They have currently won five out of six and have one of the better defensive clubs in the league.

6. Washington Capitals (28-15-5)

7. Winnipeg Jets (28-13-7)

8. St. Louis Blues (28-18-3)

9. Calgary Flames (25-16-5)

10. Colorado Avalanche (26-16-3)

11. Dallas Stars (27-17-4)

12. Toronto Maple Leafs (26-17-5)

13.

New Jersey Devils (24-13-8)

14. Columbus Blue Jackets (26-18-3)

15. Minnesota Wild (25-17-5)

16. LA Kings (25-17-5)

7. Philadephia Flyers (23-16-8)

8. Anaheim Ducks (22-17-9)

19. New York Rangers (24-19-5)

20. Chicago Blackhawks (22-18-6)

21. Pittsburgh Penguins (25-21-3)

22. New York Islanders (24-20-4)

23. Carolina Hurricanes (21-18-8)

24. Detroit Red Wings (18-20-7)

25. Edmonton Oilers (21-21-3)

26. Florida Panthers (19-20-6)

27. Montreal Canadiens (19-22-6)

28. Vancouver Canucks (18-23-6)

29. Ottowa Senators (15-20-9)

30. Buffalo Sabers (11-26-9)

31. Phoenix Coyotes (11-28-9)

Stanley Cup odds

Heading into training camp, the Las Vegas Golden Knights were a hefty 300/1 to win the 2017-18 Stanley Cup. They are now 17/2.

Right behind the 8/1-favorite Tampa Bay Lightning, the Golden Knights are gaining some serious credibility with sports gaming enthusiasts. If this team stays healthy, it is going to be an interesting postseason in the NHL.

Here is look at the top ten Stanley Cup favorites from Las Vegas Now.

  • Tampa Bay Lightning: 8/1
  • Vegas Golden Knights: 17/2
  • Toronto Maple Leafs: 12/1
  • Nashville Predators: 14/1
  • St. Louis Blues: 14/1
  • Winnipeg Jets: 14/1
  • Los Angeles Kings: 16/1
  • Columbus Blue Jackets: 18/1
  • New Jersey Devils: 18/1
  • Pittsburgh Penguins: 18/1
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