NHL Power Rankings: Week 3
The NHL has had no shortage of great headlines, teams overachieving, and some teams that have yet to gain their full stride. I am going to start publishing a weekly power ranking for the NHL. This will rank the top 16 teams league wide. I understand that’s not how the playoffs will be determined so you could see some non-playoff sitting teams in the rankings. All records are of the morning of 2.3.21.
#16 Columbus Blue Jackets (4-4-3, 11 Points)
I will say the bottom is hard to judge here. The Blue Jackets get the nod here. In the midst of chaos with disgruntled star players and trades, the Blue Jackets have gained at least a point in 7 of their first 11 games. Teams behind in the rankings may have more wins but they also aren’t having to handle the distractions of late. The Jackets have a tough three games ahead. Good luck to Patrick Laine in the lineup.
#15 Pittsburgh Penguins (5-4-1, 11 Points)
Pittsburgh is another team that faced some distractions with the news of GM Jim Rutherford resigning, seemingly out of the blue. There are many question marks surrounding this team right now, but the points seem to still come. Defense injuries are mounting, and they are hanging by a thread in many games, but regardless, they get the job done.
#14 New Jersey Devils (4-3-2, 10 Points)
This team is the most shocking at this point for me, especially when you compare to my divisional preview of this team. The Devils have gained a point in 6 of their first 9 games here. Jack Hughes is starting to make an impact. All I have to say to that is “It’s about time kid.” They are beating tough teams and performing well.
#13 Winnipeg Jets (6-3-1, 13 Points )
We didn’t know what kind of team we would get out of the Jets. 10 games through the season and they sit nicely with 13 points, good for 3rd in the North. Nikola Ehlers is one of the most overlooked players in the league, sitting tied for team leading 6 goals and 12 points. Watch out North Division, the Jets are soaring.
#12 Philadelphia Flyers (7-2-1, 15 Points)
The Flyers have come out of the gate with a strong start to the season, at least on paper. They aren’t looking particularly good during games, but results are more important than the process at times. They have won their last 4 games, sit with a nice +4 goal differential, and are at the top in simply goals scored. James van Riemsdyk is off to a great start with 5 goals on the season.
#11 Florida Panthers (5-0-1, 11 Points)
The Vice City team may be under-ranked here when you look at the fact that they have a point in every game. Although, they are one of the teams with the least number of games played. That said, they are doing the right things, beating teams they should beat. Their schedule hasn’t really been murder’s row and those wins against weak teams have made it to OT or SO in 3 of the 5 wins. We will wait to see when they see real competition.
#10 Dallas Stars (5-1-1, 11 Points)
The Stars faced covid related issues and a stall to start their season. They didn’t start their season until over a week after the rest of the league, but they came with a chip on their shoulders. In their first 7 games, they have scored 7 goals in 2 of them, and gained a +12-goal differential in the process. Their wins were against weaker teams, admittedly, and their last couple games against real competition have put a halt to their winning ways. Joe Pavelski has been defying his age and expectations. His 7 goals tie for 5th in the league and his 14 points tie for 3rd.
#9 St. Louis Blues (7-2-1, 15 Points)
The Big Bad Blues continue their solid pace, gaining a point in all but 2 of their first 10 games. They have a 4-game winning streak, a +4-goal differential, and all without their star Russian Forward, Vlad Tarasenko. Jordan Kyrou is emerging early as an impact player, scoring 7 goals and 12 points in his first games of the season. Binnington is posting a solid 2.55 GAA and .917SV% through 8 games played.
#8 Vegas Golden Knights (5-1-1, 11 Points)
The Knights of the Strip will be on the sidelines for a little while due to schedule changes related to covid. They have played fairly well through 7 games with posting a +6-goal differential and limiting just 17 goals against. Their scoring is still coming at a premium. The goaltending will be the story, as I expected in the preview. Fleury has had the better season thus far, posting a 1.01GAA and .951SV% through 3 games played.
#7 Carolina Hurricanes (7-1-0, 14 points)
Carolina dropped their second game to Detroit before taking off for a 5-game winning streak, 3 of which have been against the Lightning and Stars. Carolina sits with a +9-goal differential, fairly solid when playing stingy teams. Svechnikov continues to shine and is apparently able to do the splits in order to keep a play going, it was quite impressive.
#6 Tampa Bay Lightning (5-1-1, 11 points)
Perhaps the Lightning are still given the love just due to the recent Cup win. They have not really stumbled out of the gate but haven’t been spectacular by any means. They sit with a +8-goal differential and Stamkos is making is presence known, leading the team with 9 points. They have a light schedule ahead to rack up points. Watch this team just do enough to win, because they know dominating the regular season is not the end goal here.
#5 Toronto Maple Leafs (7-2-1, 15 Points)
The Leafs have come out strong out of the gate, finding a way to develop a team defense that has been lacking for many seasons. They have a modest +4 goal differential but have faced the high-octane Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers four times, splitting that series thus far. Auston Matthews is leading his team in goals with Marner dishing his way to the top of the points race. Backup goaltending has been the positive story.
#4 Colorado Avalanche (7-3-1, 15 Points)
The Avs have been putting the puck in the net, and often. They sit with a +14-goal differential. Albeit, they haven’t faced the “steel” of the division yet, so I reluctantly keep them below the top 3 line. Nathan MacKinnon will be out week-to-week with a lower body injury and so it is looking like the injury bug continues to plague this team. They will be tested with St. Louis this week without their all-star forward.
#3 Boston Bruins (6-1-2, 14 Points)
The Boston Bruins have had a good start to their season, especially considering they haven’t had David Pasternak in the lineup until recently. They have taken the victories against the tougher competition in the division and sit with a very solid +10 goal differential. The goaltending tandem is sitting with a below 3.00GAA, which is a recipe for success.
#2 Washington Capitals (6-1-3, 15 Points)
What surprises me the most about this team is they have had a stellar start considering how many top players were missing over a 4-game span. They haven’t played the hardest of competition but hey, whenever you don’t have your captain in the lineup who can seemingly score on a whim, you’re set back. Backstrom has been strong, sitting with 8 points and D-man Carlson is close behind. Goaltending might need to tighten up.
#1 Montreal Canadians (7-1-2, 16 Points)
Wow. This team has come out like a bat out of hell itself, impressing the entire hockey community. They finally lost in regulation this week but looked fantastic doing so. They are out scoring, out pacing, and simply out working their competition in every zone. Their +17-goal differential says it all. Tyler Toffoli has continued his breakout in Canada and leads the league in goals scored at 9. Nick Suzuki is also breaking out a necessary piece for this team.