NHL Power Rankings: Week 3
2 weeks have gone. The NHL Season has already been quite a ride. Most teams are 4-6 games in and its incredibly interesting how many supposed great teams have started slow and how many bad teams are off to great starts. Again, there’s nothing too much to worry about if you’re a fan of any team that isn’t in a playoff spot. There’s lots of hockey left and a lot can change. But for those fans who are living the dream, enjoy it! Again, I warn everyone not to take too much stock this early. By the way, make sure you tune into ESPN Tuesday for the NHL’s first ever “Redzone” like experience in NHL history.
#16 Edmonton Oilers (1-3-1; 3 Pts)
Previously #11
I know this is modestly homerish, and there are plenty of teams with more points and wins than the Oilers. But let’s not get to hasty and push them out of the top 16 based on the makeup of the roster. They looked horrible on Thursday but looked good on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday. Captain Connor McDavid will miss 1-2 weeks, and this is going to put this team to the test. They will need to galvanize and step-up and play their damn game. When Connor comes back, we know what will happen. Clean up the ship and turn it around while your Captain takes time to heal up. The turning point is this week. Have fun in the Heritage Classic on Sunday.
#15 Minnesota Wild (2-2-1; 5 Pts)
Previously #13
The crease is an issue in Minnesota right now and they need to address that. Flower is not looking great and neither is Gustavsson. They need to find better D and better goaltending or else we will see them, once again, be that mid team we are used to seeing.
#14 New York Islanders (2-1-1; 5 Pts)
Previously Unranked
The Isles are looking pretty good so far, though I’d like to see a positive goal differential. The Islanders are playing their heavy game with a lead leading 27.9 hits per 60 minutes this season. They are looking to beat teams through sheer will and physical play, and it may be enough…
#13 Tampa Bay Lightning (2-2-2; 6 Pts)
Previously #12
Tampa Bay is having a tough go in the beginning, and their history does give them some ranking support here. Hedman is not looking good right now, with a dash 2 to his +/- through the first 6 games. They are clearly impacted by the loss of Vasy, but they looked much better as of late so maybe that’s all they need, one nice jolt to the system.
#12 Vancouver Canucks (3-2-0; 6 Pts)
Previously #14
Vancouver is looking really good with 3 solid wins under their belt. Found a way to bounce back after a loss to Tampa. A couple show me games this week to see if this team has what it takes to push this division into an even more competitive state. +7 goal differential is great to see. It must be the year of the Hughes brothers, because the eldest Quinn is looking fantastic so far.
#11 Ottawa Senators (3-2-0; 6 Pts)
Previously #15
Ottawa is another team in that up-and-coming team list that is coming out white hot. They are scoring a lot of goals it seems, with 5+ in 3 of 5 games. Their backend looks really good with Jake Sanderson and Jakob Chychrun, which is great to see considering I didn’t even mention Thomas Chabot until now. Depth is real in the nation’s capital.
#10 Los Angeles Kings (2-2-1; 5 Pts)
Unchanged
Kings are looking solid, yet again. Goal tending hasn’t been awful, and the team is finding ways to win games. Fiala is finding ways to get his teammates involved and is on pace for 115 assists. Congrats to Anze Kopitar on becoming the franchise leader for most games played as a King.
#9 Toronto Maple Leafs (3-2-0; 6 Pts)
Previously #6
Toronto had a flying start but haven’t looked good since, much like another team in Canada we mentioned. Ilya Samsonov has been awful and you have to think that Joseph Woll is the guy for now. From what it sounds like, the team needs to see a big more from the big boys, aside from Matthews. This is typical of the Leafs…tough starts.
#8 New York Rangers (3-2-0; 6 Pts)
Previously #9
Rangers are looking pretty solid this early. Positive goal differential is a great start. They have been a top team in expected goals per 60 minutes which means they are controlling games and finding opportunities. They are going to have a good season and we could see a dark horse here.
#7 New Jersey Devils (2-1-1; 5 Pts)
Previously #4
The Devils are another team that I expected more from this early. I think many teams know what they are in for when they face the Devils and their goals against numbers suggest they need to see better goaltending. That said, Jack Hughes is certainly eyeing the Hart this year with his unbelievable play this early. I love it.
#6 Carolina Hurricanes (3-3-0; 6 Pts)
Previously #3
The Hurricanes are on thin ice at this ranking. If it wasn’t for their pedigree, they would be much further down. They have let in way too many goals, most in the league right now. This is very uncharacteristic for a squad led by Rod Brind’Amour. We should all expect the team to turn the page this week and show us why they are considered one of the best defensive teams in the league.
#5 Detroit Red Wings (5-1-0; 10 Pts)
Previously Unranked
The NHL is a better league when the Red Wings are good. And boy their start suggests they are taking a step. Alex Debrincat has 8 goals in just 6 games, on pace for 109 goals. Of course, that won’t happen but what an incredible start to this season. Saturday’s game will be a fun test for this squad when they go see the Boston Bruins. Let’s see if they can keep it up.
#4 Dallas Stars (3-0-1; 7 Pts)
Previously #5
Dallas hasn’t be absolutely perfect, but a point in every game with mostly wins is a fantastic start that any fanbase would love to see. The Stars, however, should do their best to decline powerplays (if that were possible). They sit with a negative goal differential when on the Powerplay…a negative goal differential. Woof. Figure it out Dallas.
#3 Boston Bruins (5-0-0; 10 Pts)
Previously #7
Boston’s off to a perfect start themselves, albeit the competition hasn’t been world beating. They have a few easier games that they can use to pad their records. Next week we will see Boston face some quality competition and we will really see what they are made of.
#2 Colorado Avalanche (5-0-0; 10 Pts)
Previously #7
Colorado is off to one of those really hot starts as well with another perfect week. +13 goal differential suggests they are managing quite well without Landeskog. The Avs head to one of their East Coast trips and we will see how they perform
#1 Vegas Golden Knights (6-0-0; 12 Pts)
Unchanged
The Knights have been perfect since night one of the season and haven’t looked back. Not a single blemish on their record through 6 games, setting a record for defending Stanley Cup Champs.
In-Season Cup
Alex’s run continues and he will enjoy 14 days tomorrow before the Flyers have the chance to take it back for James in the NHL’s first RedZone like night. Its an unlikely candidate to dethrone the Knights but then again, its tough to win 7 games straight.