Eric Stephens’ NHL power rankings (Dec. 18, 2017)

Gary Bettman is getting what he wanted. Folks, get ready for a Nashville-Tampa Bay collision course at the Stanley Cup Final. Original Six, be damned. Let 1990s-era expansion rule.
Fine, let’s pump the brakes on that for now. A lot can and will happen before we get to June and we’ve learned precious little in the NHL is guaranteed. It isn’t as if Nashville and Tampa Bay have lapped the rest of the league.
We’ve already seen winning the regular-season title doesn’t m