Streaking Wild jump to No. 1 in numerous power rankings

The Minnesota Wild are alone at the top of the NHL with 38 points through 25 games, one point ahead of the Las Vegas Golden Knights, who have played two more games. 

In the midst of a four-game winning streak, the Wild are now garnering recognition as the best team in hockey. A slew of different power rankings across NHL media have bumped the Wild up to the No. 1 spot in the league.

CBS Sports said the Wild look like "legit contenders," while vaulting Minnesota up two spots from last week. CBS noted star winger Kirill Kaprizov's "Hart Trophy-level" play is having a major impact on the success of the team. The 27-year-old winger is tied with Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Nečas for most points (39), while his 16 goals are tied for the third most in the league.

It's veteran defenseman Jake Middleton who was spotlighted as Minnesota's "glue guy" by NHL.com, which bumped the Wild up two spots in its weekly rankings. 

Middleton has stepped up this season in the absence of Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin, who have each missed time due to injury this season. The 29-year-old blue liner is a plus-18 this season, which ranks second on the team, while blocking a team-leading 61 shots while averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game. 

Minnesota jumped up three spots to No. 1 in Bleacher Report's power rankings this week, with the outlet saying the Wild's early-season momentum may not wear off for "a while."

The Wild dethroned their Central Division rival Winnipeg Jets at the top of Sports Illustrated's rankings. SI credited the excellent play of Kaprizov, Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi as big keys to Minnesota's success. The Hockey News moved the Wild up four spots to No. 1, noting that Kaprizov "might be the best player on the planet right now."