NHL Power Rankings: Week 4
I feel like Week 3 is where we see the actual good teams start to get going to find their game. The overreactions have come and gone and we are in the “middle of the season.” We are 4 weeks and a few days away from that American Thanksgiving milestone. Should be interesting.
#16 Edmonton Oilers (4-4-1; 9 Points)
No Change
Oilers were 0-3-0 to start and have gone. 4-1-1 since. And they are nothing close to back to their game. So, I have faith that if the Oilers are actually banking points as they are getting through these struggles, that’s great. The shooting percentage and the PP is awful, but the goaltending has really improved markedly. Connor McDavid looks human but its only a matter of time. Much better feeling this year vs last year at this time.
#15 Colorado Avalanche (5-4-0; 10 Points)
No Change
Avs have 5 wins in a row after a dismal start. Still unsure about their trajectory but feel as if they won’t be in the bottom half of the rankings for too much longer.
#14 Toronto Maple Leafs (4-4-1; 9 Points)
Previously #6
Here we go again, a few losses in a row and Leaf land is burning. They will be fine as always. Berube might be lucky as he gets to take a crack at this adversity this early…bodes well for the Leafs in the long-run potentially.
#13 New Jersey Devils (6-4-2; 14 Points)
Previously #4
Good goaltending and New Jersey Devils don’t go together. The Hockey Gods have punished the Devils for getting the best goaltender of all time back in the 90s/00s
#12 Tampa Bay Lightning (5-3-0; 10 Points)
Previously #10
Inconsistency might be a problem for the Bolts but they are still hanging in there most nights and always a threat. Nakita Kucherov is sensational man.
#11 Calgary Flames (5-2-1; 11 Points)
Previously #5
This was a moment of coming back to earth for the Flames, losing more games than they won this week. Dustin Wolf has been so great and he could be a huge reason they actually could compete for a spot in this weak Pacific Division.
#10 Los Angeles Kings (5-2-2; 12 Points)
Previously #11
Kings are fun right now for sure. They seem to always have hot starts and its about November/December that things start to get shaky. They need to fix their goaltending issue, and I need more from Quinton Byfield.
#9 Vancouver Canucks (4-1-2; 10 Points)
Previously Unranked
Slow start has been snapped with a 4-game streak. Kevin Lankinen has been fantastic in goal to help the team get over the injury hump with Silovs and Demko. They look much better, unless your name is Elias Pettersson.
#8 Washington Capitals (5-2-0; 10 Points)
Previously #7
The Caps are much better than many anticipated, unless you’re James. Dylan Strome as really taken strides with the Caps and that’s fun to see. Ovechkin may get his record, and they may be a playoff team after all. Certainly better than their Penguin rivals. Goaltending needs to improve ASAP.
#7 Minnesota Wild (5-1-2; 12 Points)
Previously #14
This Wild team looks great. They are sneaky good, and they might not be a middle of the pack team this year! Still a lot of time to determine that but so far so great. Kaprizov is getting a lot of ice time and they are winning…play your best players people! And they need to create more chances.
#6 Carolina Hurricanes (5-2-0; 10 Points)
Previously Unranked
Forgot about the Canes. Was worried about their lack of offseason work, but any Brind’Amour team is going to be stout defensively and win more games than they lose. Figure out how to fricken score!
#5 Florida Panthers (6-3-1; 13 Points)
Previously #8
They aren’t to their full selves yet but man they are banking points without Sasha Barkov. That’s a scary idea. Goalie Bob is not at his playoff self yet.
#4 Vegas Golden Knights (6-2-1; 13 Points)
Previously #9
19-8 in scoring this week over 3 games. That was quite the response to a crappy week last week. Powerplay has been clicking and filling some 5 on 5 gaps.
#3 Dallas Stars (7-2-0; 14 Points)
Previously #1
Another team that could use a bit better defensive prowess for when Otter comes back down a bit, but this team is feeling it. Bringing in Lyubushkin, Dumba, and Smith aren’t the recipes for the stoutest of defensive units.
#2 New York Rangers (6-1-1; 13 Points)
Previously #3
The 5 on 5 play is really looking good, which was a struggle for this goaltending heavy Rags team. Sign Shesterkin to his bag because at the end of the day, he’s the nucleus of this team.
#1 Winnipeg Jets (8-0-0; 16 Points)
Previously #2
Winnipeg is the only team that doesn’t lose, and they want to win every single shift out there. Crazy part? They are middle of the pack in shooting percentage but have a great balance of finishing and goaltending that helps you win games. Hellebuyck might be hiding some defensive problems so it’s a wonder if things will fall back to earth with a slip by the netminder.
In Season Cup
Alex taking in the points as his undefeated Jets are soaring!