NHL Power Rankings 2011: Blackhawks Move Up To No. 5

The Chicago Blackhawks have been playing good hockey lately--their shutout loss in Carolina excepted--and they're moving up in the latest aggregated power rankings from Real Clear Sports. Real Clear Sports averages the rankings from eight hockey outlets to come up with its aggregate rankings.

This week the Blackhawks check in at No. 5, which is the highest they've been in the rankings in nearly a month. The best individual ranking for the Blackhawks was No. 3 by Sports Illustrated; The Hockey News, on the other hand, had Chicago all the way down at No. 10.

Elsewhere in the Central Division, the Detroit Red Wings slipped from second to 12th after a particularly rough week. Nashville sits in 18th and the Columbus Blue Jackets bring up the rear at No. 30.

For more in-depth coverage of the Chicago Blackhawks, head over to Second City Hockey. For more from around the league, stop by SB Nation's NHL hub.