3/9 Power Rankings Roundup: Predators hold steady

We now return to your regularly scheduled power rankings update, but before we get to that, lets take a quick look at the playoff chase. 

For all that, continue after the jump where we need to go 9-7-1, Nashville averages out at 15th and there isn't much doubt that the Washington Capitals are the league's best team...

James Mirtle has updated his playoff push, and assuming that its going to take 94 points to make the postseason, the Predators need to go 9-7-1. They've gone 2-2 in the first 7 game stretch I laid out, and are on track according to my predictions. Meanwhile, the website Sports Club Stats has our playoff chances at 69.1%, and that a 10-4-3 record would guarantee the playoffs. Again, Nashville can certainly make the playoffs with a lesser record, thats just currently the number that assures a spot no matter what else.

ESPN.com places the Predators in 13th, up one:

Preds have dropped two in a row, including a tough loss to Central Division foe Detroit, and now hit the road for four straight. The road to the playoffs, as always, is a difficult one for the plucky Preds, who start the week in seventh place in the West.

Craig Custance checks in with Nashville in 14th, down one:

Playoff chances: 70.2 percent. GM David Poile added depth on defense and hung on to Dan Hamhuis, decisions that look smarter with each game Shea Weber misses with his upper-body injury.

THN's Ryan Dixon puts the Predators in 12th:

After missing Sunday's game against Vancouver, it sounds like Shea Weber could miss Tuesday's game – but not many more – with an upper-body injury.

TSN continues to baffle, putting the Preds at 23rd with teams such as the Panthers, Hurricanes, and Rangers ahead of Nashville:

The Preds' power play has lit the lamp in nine of the last ten games, but the task could get more challenging now as No. 1 blueliner Shea Weber suffered an injury against Detroit on Friday.

CBC.ca, another Canadian outlet, has the Preds in a more reasonable place, 13th, down one:

Heat is on from the Wings and Flames.

Finally, Wes Goldstein of CBS has the Preds in 18th, up one:

Pekka Rinne hasn't been particularly sharp since the Olympic break ended and the Preds are feeling the heat from teams chasing them for a playoff spot.