Power rankings: Halfway home …

This week’s power rankings – which appear each Tuesday – delve into the season’s halfway point. With all but Ottawa and Chicago having played at least 41 games, it’s time to look back at the first half and decide if teams have met expectations or fallen short.

In addition, I’ll determine how teams are setting up for the second half and stretch drive to the playoffs.

1. Detroit Red Wings (29-7-6, Previous: 1) – A testament to their no-nonsense approach, the Wings haven’t left a hint of a Stanley Cup hangover. They’re challenging for the Presidents’ Trophy again, and will be no worse than a second seed in the West. Yes, they are right on track halfway through the season.

2. San Jose Sharks (31-5-5, Previous: 2) – Adjusting to a new coaching staff and a new system could not have gone better for the Sharks. So far, so good, but the true test comes in the spring.

3. Boston Bruins (31-7-4, Previous: 3) – The Bruins have exceeded expectations and probably surprised themselves. Maybe the biggest surprise is the manner in which Boston is getting it done. The Bruins were expected to be competitive and defensive-minded, but no one expected such a prolific offense.

4. Montreal Canadiens (25-10-6, Previous: 5) – The same M.O.: The Canadiens are arguably the fastest, most entertaining team in the conference. But defense wins titles. Overall, sure, the Habs are in good position again, but it would be nice if they didn’t have to read and hear about all this fairy-tale-ending stuff on the prospect of winning the Cup during their centennial season.

5. Philadelphia Flyers (23-10-9, Previous: 6) – The Flyers have to be very pleased with a quick rebound from an 0-3-3 start, far in the rearview mirror now. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards continue to develop into the star status that was projected when they were made high draft picks.

6. Calgary Flames (25-12-4, Previous: 8) – The Flames have to like where they are, but the way they got there is confusing. Bottom line: Calgary is a good team, but inconsistent. General managers are always leery of a streaky team. The attitude is to win now, so expectations will remain high in the second half.

7. Washington Capitals (27-13-3, Previous: 4) – The Capitals rode the momentum of last season’s three-quarter sprint to the finish right into this season, which is what they hoped would happen. They’re a legitimate contender in a wide-open Eastern Conference if they get better goaltending in the second half and postseason.

8. Chicago Blackhawks (23-10-7, Previous: 10) – A young and exciting Chicago team is on the right track, but anything less than a top-eight finish in the West would be a disappointment. Selling out that big building on a nightly basis and finding a way back into Chicago pro sports’ consciousness were large hurdles to clear. Don’t forget, too, this is a team that fired its coach after just four games.

9. New York Rangers (25-15-4, Previous: 9) – At 15-13-3 since a 10-2-1 start, the Rangers aren’t quite sure what to make of the first half. They had to cut ties with Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan, and fortunately, the team is doing fine overall in what could have been a difficult transition.

10. Anaheim Ducks (22-17-5, Previous: 12) – The Ducks rebounded from an awful start, but they’re not the feared team they were when they won the Cup two years ago. All of a sudden Anaheim is looking slower and older. And the injuries on defense aren’t helping.

11. Carolina Hurricanes (21-17-5, Previous: 11) – The team was 12-11-2 under the fired Peter Laviolette and is 9-6-3 under re-hired Paul Maurice. Something tells us it’s not the coach. The ‘Canes are still what they’ve been since winning the Cup – a slightly better-than-average team that doesn’t play enough team defense to get back to elite status.

12. New Jersey Devils (24-15-3, Previous: 7) – All in all, the Devils have to be thrilled to be where they are in the standings considering how little Martin Brodeur has played. His injury could still be the best thing that ever happens to this team if it can keep its head above water until the future Hall of Fame goalie returns late in the regular season.

13. Buffalo Sabres (21-16-5, Previous: 15) – A recent hot streak puts the Sabres in a better light than they’ve probably shown throughout the first half. Inconsistency dots their efforts. It seems like they’re more into building than they really want to let on.

14. Vancouver Canucks (22-17-5, Previous: 13) – Like the Devils, the Canucks have to be happy to be within shouting distance of first place with their star goalie (Roberto Luongo) injured. Luongo is due to return this week. The Mats Sundin signing got the city excited, but the Canucks have a ways to go to convince everyone they’re a contender.

15. Dallas Stars (18-17-6, Previous: 17) – Like Ottawa’s demise in the East, the Stars are the big surprise in the West. Marty Turco’s early struggles started it, key injuries to Sergei Zubov and Jere Lehtinen contributed and then there was the whole Sean Avery fiasco. Dallas can only be happy there’s a second half remaining, but you never want to have to climb out of a hole like the one the Stars have dug.

16. Edmonton Oilers (20-18-3, Previous: 14) – Really, the Oilers are nothing more than a middle-of-the-road team. Sure, they’re exciting to watch, they work fairly hard and they never quit. But is this really a Stanley Cup contending roster? Nope.

17. Phoenix Coyotes (21-17-5, Previous: 19) – Coming off an 83-point season in which the Coyotes felt poised to take the next step and qualify for the playoffs, the fact is they’re on pace for 89-90 points, which likely will be a couple points short of eighth place. One of the most difficult jumps is to go from 85 to 95 points, and Phoenix is finding that out.

18. Columbus Blue Jackets (20-18-4, Previous: 20) – Get past the fact the team and city is desperate for a playoff qualifier and in search of a No. 1 center, and you’ll see that Ken Hitchcock’s defense-first system is taking hold and the story of 20-year-old Steve Mason in goal is one of the best of the season. There’s still time for a second-half run.

19. Florida Panthers (20-16-6, Previous: 21) – The Panthers are out of a playoff spot, but just barely, and that’s a big improvement over most of the last seven seasons. Florida doesn’t have a big deficit to make up or too many teams to pass, which gives the Panthers hope they can snap the Eastern Conference’s longest postseason drought.

20. Colorado Avalanche (22-19-1, Previous: 22) – The Avalanche figure to be a team that hangs around the last playoff spot, and that’s exactly where they are halfway through. Goaltending will determine whether they get in or miss.

21. Pittsburgh Penguins (20-19-4, Previous: 16) – The defending East champs aren’t a happy bunch and speculation is rife Michel Therrien is about to become the scapegoat. Injuries and lost players (Marian Hossa, Ryan Malone especially) have hurt just as was predicted. Don’t underestimate the short offseason and trip abroad to start the season as difficult challenges to overcome as well.

22. Minnesota Wild (20-18-3, Previous: 18) – This is probably where a team with its supposed top player (Marian Gaborik) out of the lineup more than in it could expect to be. It’s all about special teams and goaltending for coach Jacques Lemaire. On the nights the Wild get those ingredients they are tough to beat.

23. Tampa Bay Lightning (13-19-10, Previous: 25) – The Lightning have to be disappointed, but should they be surprised? The roster was nearly remade from top to bottom following ownership change, and too many bought into Tampa Bay being able to bounce from 30th last year into a playoff spot. Not going to happen.

24. Nashville Predators (19-20-3, Previous: 27) – The Preds are disappointed because, while not the deepest or most talented team in the league, they haven’t found a way to make it work like they did the last couple of seasons. Being average won’t cut it in this division or conference.

25. St. Louis Blues (16-22-3, Previous: 26) – The Blues are doing it the right way by building from within, but they are the most snake-bitten team in the league in terms of injuries. It’s been a lost season to date, and it figures to stay that way in the second half.

26. Los Angeles Kings (17-19-6, Previous: 23) – The Kings have improved in some areas, particularly in cutting down goals-against, but it’s not reflected in the standings. Los Angeles is ahead of only St. Louis in the West. You begin to wonder how long is GM Dean Lombardi’s leash?

27. Toronto Maple Leafs (16-20-6, Previous: 24) – The Leafs were already getting a free pass this season because of the change in coaches and commitment to youth, but it took an even more long-term look when Brian Burke came aboard. It appears if Toronto is simply competitive on most nights everyone will be happy. Hard to imagine the low expectations will be widely accepted in Toronto for long.

28. Atlanta Thrashers (14-24-5, Previous: 29) – They’re way out of the playoff chase and now they name Ilya Kovalchuk captain. Huh?

29. Ottawa Senators (13-21-6, Previous: 28) – A total disaster. Ownership is frustrated, top management is disappointed, the new coaching staff isn’t pleased and the players are looking at each other for answers. Does Ottawa have any idea of what to do next?

30. New York Islanders (12-26-4, Previous: 30) – It’s hard to get a read on what kind of coach rookie Scott Gordon really is since he was handed next to nothing to work with this season. Exactly what is the plan here? Is there a plan?