This week's Southern California power rankings shifts focus toward how the NHL All-Star Game and whom from the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings should go to Carolina. The season has a few weeks under its legs and is beginning to take shape. Now's the time to blatantly cheat show your enthusiasm for your team by voting them into the All-Star Game. But whom should you vote for? Whomever I tell you to vote for, that's whom. Now, on to this week's power rankings.
First Place!
Anaheim Ducks
Last Week: 0-2-1
You Should Definitely Vote For... Teemu Selanne
Besides the fact that he's having a fantastic year, Teemu Selanne deserves to go because, well, he's Teemu Selanne. The 10-time All-Star is 5 years older than anyone else in the top-20 in scoring this season and has done it effortlessly, as he's done his whole career. The line of Blake-Koivu-Selanne has been on of the few things Randy Carlyle could rely on and I'd say that's mostly due to Selanne. The stars of the 90's are pretty much long gone yet Teemu has endured; I think it would be nice to honor him at the All-Star Game one last time.
You Should Definitely NOT Vote For... Corey Perry
I don't care how many points he has, Corey Perry should never be given the impression that the way he behaves on the ice is admirable. ...Now that I think about it, though, maybe you should vote for Corey Perry; maybe he could do this on a national stage and get everyone laughing at him.
You Should Write In... Lubomir Visnovsky
I'm not sure why Lubomir Visnovsky isn't on the ballot; he's the best defenseman on the Ducks and has a history of offensive success. Anyway, Lubo is 5th in the league in points by defensemen and has been a big part of the Ducks' success this season. Maybe he was banished from the ballot after attempting to buy votes in previous seasons?
Dead Last!
Los Angeles Kings
Last Week: 1-3
You Should Definitely Vote For... Jonathan Quick
Quick had an up-and-down season last year, playing 72 games and winning 39 of them despite mediocre play at times. This season Quick has been stellar, leading the Kings and even stealing a game or two for them this season. Quick has responded to the challenge presented by young upstart Jonathan Bernier with a renewed commitment to fundamentals and a more calm demeanor, and it has been paying off for the Kings. It should pay off for Quick in the form of an All-Star nod.
You Should Definitely NOT Vote For... Ryan Smyth
He's had a pretty good year, sure, but he's probably 4th or 5th on the list of most valuable Kings this season. I'm not sure why he made the ballot over someone like Dustin Brown, other than the fact that lovelorn Canadians will still vote for him.
You Should Write In... Justin Williams
The oft-injured winger has been a revelation this season for the Kings. He's leading the team in points & plus-minus, is tied for 4th in the league in even-strength points, and has been the driving force behind one of the best lines in hockey this season (Smyth-Stoll-Williams). Plus, he's been injured and gone through a lot; I think he deserves a pat on the back.
This Week:
Tonight: Los Angeles Kings @ Montreal Canadiens, 4:30 PM
Friday: Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 1 PM
Saturday: Anaheim Ducks @ Phoenix Coyotes, 5 PM; Los Angeles Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 7:30 PM
Monday: Los Angeles Kings @ Anaheim Ducks, 7 PM