NHL Power Rankings: Week 6
Just a week and a few days from American Thanksgiving. The East is very tight folks, very tight. The Blue Jackets and Senators sit last in their respective divisions but just 4 points out from a playoff spot. The strength of the entire Conference is in full effect here. Those two aforementioned teams are the only two without a .500 record. The West on the other hand? The West is a complete mixed bag of overachieving teams and underachieving teams. It’s still quite early and we still have a lot of hockey left, but that key milestone is just 10 days away and if you’re out of it now, you better be ready to play great hockey for a lonnggg time.
#16 Pittsburgh Penguins (7-6-0; 14 Pts)
Previously Unranked
Pittsburgh is really starting to come around now. They have looked as we have come to expect. Though they have a tendency to be very streaky and this could just be a good streak for awhile before things start to go sour again. Erik Karlsson seems to have arrive and is looking white hot now. The old boys may just be coming back for another run…let’s see if it lasts.
#15 St. Louis Blues (7-5-1; 15 Pts)
Previously Unranked
The Blues have looked good as of late, and it was really apparent when they dominated divisional rival, Colorado, putting up a touchdown and 2 point conversion in that game. Kyrou, Schenn, and Buchnevich are finally starting to come around. This team might be slated to take advantage of a weaker Central Division after all.
#14 Tampa Bay Lightning (6-5-4; 16 Pts)
Unchanged
Tampa slots in in the top even though they are barely in a spot based solely on pedigree. The Bolts certainly don’t like their normal selves but again its early. Good news is Andrei Vasilevsky is back on the ice for practice and that is almost certainly going to be an injection of life into this team. Watch out because Tampa might find their “Lightning in a Bottle” moment.
#13 Anaheim Ducks (8-6-0; 16 Pts)
Previously #12
The Ducks had a tougher week but finished nicely with a good win against the Sharks. Zegras seems to be dealing with a nagging injury, let’s hope he can get back at it because we need the real Z back. McT and Vatrano are looking so good, and I wish there was a D Calder Trophy because Mintyukov should just get it now. Can we make a trophy for that please?
#12 Toronto Maple Leafs (8-5-2; 18 Pts)
Previously #13
The Leafs have managed to stay out of the limelight this week, it helps when another team in Canada is just reeling at this point. Goaltending is okay and they are finding the back of the net fine. It is their grit, their will to win, and their nastiness level (lacktherof). Brad Treliving is swinging and missing on his signings so far this year, to my surprise. I am not going to speculate what the problem is but should the team start to look at the core?
#11 Detroit Red Wings (8-5-2; 18 Pts)
Previously #10
Not the greatest 10-game stint, but I still tip my hat to the Wings here. The Detroit Red Wings can score that is most certainly apparent. The netminding has been inconsistent and simply not good enough. PK% is below average, which makes sense, your goalie needs to be the best penalty killer. They have looked great on the PP but you can only outscore your issues for so long.
#10 New Jersey Devils (7-3-1; 15 Pts)
Previously #7
The Devils are finding it much harder this season to win consistently. Missing your top centers will do that, admittedly. It is crazy to see how impactful Jack Hughes actually is for this team. The Devils are finding it hard to score, which is surprising after what he saw from them last year. They are outchancing, just not finishing. They had better hope Hischier and Hughes get back sooner rather than later.
#9 Carolina Hurricanes (9-6-0; 18 Pts)
Unchanged
Another 2-1 week for the Canes, who very much seem to be finding their stride. The goaltending issue seems to be settling down, which is a huge positive for this team. We all wish Freddie Andersen a safe and speedy recovery by the way. The team is sitting with a below average shooting percentage which we can believe will continue to improve. This team might be back in the top ranks within a few weeks!
#8 Colorado Avalanche (8-5-0; 16 Pts)
Previously #4
Little bit of cracks showing on the Avs these days. The Avs were having trouble scoring for a bit. They have been shut out three times since October 26. The game against the suspect Devils doesn’t fix the issues it seems. They also let in a lot of goals for this caliber team. I am expecting a big game against the struggling Kraken today. Sub .900SV% 5 on 5 needs to be addressed guys.
#7 Florida Panthers (9-4-1; 19 Pts)
Previously #14
The Panthers won 4 in a row right now. This team is off to a great start without the full 100% Matthew Tkachuk we all know. Sam Reinhart has though, dude has 21 points in 14 games…wowza. That’s already a third of the way to the 67 points last year. This team is finding great goaltending and doing all of this without their best D-men. Just incredible.
#6 Vancouver Canucks (11-3-1; 23 Pts)
Previously #8
This team is THE hottest team in the league right now. PDO, for those that don’t know, is a statistic and combines shooting percentage and save percentage. This teams 5 on 5 PDO is an incredible 105.8 (11.6 S% and 94.2% SV). These numbers are not sustainable, but they are very helpful to have now to allow the team to grow and find some confidence as the season goes along. I think this team is real, as unsustainable as these numbers are. This team is the real deal.
#5 Los Angeles Kings (8-3-3; 19 Pts)
Unchanged
The Kings are rolling. Yes, losing to the Flyers is never good, but everyone gets their share of stinker games. They need to find better goaltending though. A sub .900 SV% will not get you through the playoffs. It may get you there, especially with the early on success. 12% shooting percentage overall with a 9.8% 5 on 5. I mean that will come to earth…the goaltending needs to improve before that happens.
#4 Dallas Stars (10-3-1; 21 Pts)
Previously #3
The number of scoring chances this team manages to muster for themselves and prevent their opponents is all wordly. The goaltending right now may not be other wordly, but it certainly is great, and it all comes together perfectly. Their PP needs a bit of work, but they found some success this week. If they can continue to grow that percentage, this could be your best team in the West by the end of November.
#3 New York Rangers (11-2-1; 23 Pts)
Previously #6
The Rags are just unreal. Alex Lafreniere is finally here ladies and gentlemen. 11 points in 14 games is very much a positive for this struggling draft pick. He is melding great with linemate Artemi Panarin. Chris Kreider continues to score. This team needs to get their star D Fox back because once he’s back, we might finally see the Rangers team this league deserves.
#2 Vegas Golden Knights (12-2-1; 25 Pts)
Previously #1
Vegas lost in convincing fashion to the Kings. But I think we all agree that every great team is given “stinker games.” While some teams (ahem you know who you are ahem) have burnt every single one, the Knights have a lot of leeway. That said, I am questioning how much their goaltending is covering up some things. Can this team sit here unless their goaltending bails them out game in game out?
#1 Boston Bruins (11-1-2; 24 Pts)
Previously #2
I was right at first. The Boston Bruins are the best team in the league right now. All the way up and down the lineup, this team is stepping up without the likes of Krejci and Bergeron. The amazing goaltending helps but they carry the play most of the way. 90.9% PK is just fantastic and you have to think that with a bit of help on the PP side, they will be favorites for the Cup once again.
In-Season Cup
The Pittsburgh Penguins have helped bring me into the mix and I will take solo 2nd place tomorrow before. Pens take on my Columbus Blue Jackets tomorrow so I will get to pad some of my days for awhile longer. Just keep chipping away.