1/5 Power Rankings Roundup: Nashville Predators bounce back behind Shea Weber's big week

The Nashville Predators reversed a losing streak this past week, winning all 3 games on the schedule, thanks in large part to a couple of big games from star defenseman Shea Weber. The Predators, 7-3-0 in their last ten, have 53 points and are tied for 5th in the Western Conference. Follow after the jump where the Preds average out around 9th, Allan Muir has advice for David Poile, and division rivals the Chicago Blackhawks are widely considered the top team in the NHL...

Sports Illustrated's Allan Muir implores general manager David Poile to bring in some reinforcements, while puting the Preds at 8th, up from tenth:

Aside to David Poile: I understand money's tight, but it's time to bring in a little help. Now. I'm not talking Ilya Kovalchuk. Maybe something as simple as a better fit for third-line center or a boost for one of the sagging special teams. Just do something that shows you understand your guys are wringing every last drop of their talent and that winning now matters as much to you as it does to them. They've earned that much.

Craig Custance of the Sporting News has the Predators at 8th, two spots up:

Now that Jan. 1 has passed, GM David Poile can look at extending Pekka Rinne's contract. We asked him about it and he was tight-lipped, saying only: "I really like our goaltending right now."

ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun places the Preds at 10th, unmoved from last week:

Shea Weber had a big week on the ice (five points) and off it (earned a spot on the 2010 Canadian Olympic team).

CBSSports.com's Wes Goldstein has Nashville in 7th, up 3 spots:

Doing things the hard way lately. Nashville has won three in a row after giving up the first goal in each game.

TSN.ca remain the pessimists, holding the Predators back at 13th, up 1:

Back on the winning track, with three straight Ws after a three-game slide around Christmas, the Predators power play is just 1-for-22 (4.5%) in the last seven games.

The Hockey News has the Preds at 7th, actually down a spot after a 3-0 week:

Nashville going with the good ol' goalie rotation between Dan Ellis and Pekka Rinne right now

FoxSports.com also puts Nashville at 7th, up 5 spots:

The Predators were able to put an end to a three-game losing streak thanks to the contributions they got from Shea Weber. The Nashville defender picked up five points in the team's three wins last week, including a three-assist night against the Blues on Dec. 29.