NHL Power Rankings: Week 6
The NHL is midway through November and close to that key quarter quell, American Thanksgiving. Things we have learned, Winnipeg doesn’t know how to lose, Pittsburgh looks awful, and the Ducks are better than James’ Nashville Predators. Interesting stuff.
#16 Colorado Avalanche (8-8-0; 16 Points)
Previously Unranked
Wins against the Kraken and Hurricanes are solid, snapping the Canes 8 game streak in its tracks! This team is slowly getting its troops back and that is huge for them. Goaltending is still a problem.
#15 Vancouver Canucks (7-3-3; 17 Points)
Previously #4
Woof they have goaltending issues, and I love seeing Canucks twitter folks get served the shit they spew. On the same week that a fan tweeted that they found a better goaltender than Stu Skinner for next to nothing, that same goalie has an absolute embarrassing performance…to the friken Oilers no less. Hilarious stuff.
#14 Calgary Flames (8-5-3; 19 Points)
Previously #15
The Flames are starting to feel reality, but they are hanging in there, making it difficult at least for the opposition. The loss of Mantha will hurt them for sure. It is very nice to see Jonathan Huberdeau play well though.
#13 Edmonton Oilers (7-7-1; 15 Points)
Unchanged
We talk about Stanley Cup hangovers often. This one seems deep. Imagine this scenario, you’re standing at the alter waiting for the love of your life to walk down the aisle. You’ve overcome so much together and you’re finally about to tie the knot, and instead, her sister comes down with a note saying she left…That’s what that game 7 loss was to this group. It takes awhile to over come that.
#12 Tampa Bay Lightning (7-6-1; 15 Points)
Previously #11
Still can’t find consistency but they are doing their thing. I do wonder if they will feel the heat soon because the division and conference is very competitive, and any points left on the table could be a disaster.
#11 Toronto Maple Leafs (9-5-2; 20 Points)
Previously #12
This team is looking great without Matthews in the lineup. They still are scoring at a rapid pace. Mitch Marner is looking really good without Matthews to defer to and you see this happen in hockey, sometimes deferring to the “better” player ruins your game a bit. Maybe we never see Mitch and Matthews play together again?
#10 Vegas Golden Knights (9-4-2; 20 Points)
Previously #6
This team is begging to play all of their games at home as they are undefeated. They don’t like to sleep in hotels clearly. Eichel looks amazing and he might reach the century mark this year, and if he does, he could be in the conversation for Hart.
#9 Los Angeles Kings (9-5-3; 21 Points)
Unchanged
The LA Kings have been more than solid to start this season. I have been quite wrong about this team as I expected things to look bad after Drew Doughty went down. Their style just works…in the regular season.
#8 Dallas Stars (9-5-0; 18 Points)
Previously #7
5-5-0 in their last 10 and you’ve seen me fade the Stars as of late. They haven’t had the chance to play much hockey given their trip to Finland so let’s see where they end up in a couple weeks. This might be a recency bias thing where we haven’t seen enough yet.
#7 Washington Capitals (10-4-0; 20 Points)
Previously #8
The metro division is a hell of a lot more competitive than we thought as Washington continues to dazzle us. Ovi watch continues as he pots 8 goals in 7 games. Can he do it this year?
#6 New Jersey Devils (10-6-2; 22 Points)
Previously #10
Dominant week for the Devs. They need to figure out how to the pucks out of their net a bit better, but they are scoring like crazy, except against Mackenzie Blackwood in San Jose. I wish Eric still recorded with us so I can clown him on his takes on Nico Hischier, he’s exciting to watch and I see Selke’s in his future.
#5 New York Rangers (9-3-1; 19 Points)
Unchanged
Two games this week where they split. Nothing too much to worry about. They’ve only let in 30 goals, lowest in the league. Their expected goal differential is a little underwater but with a 5 on 5 SV% of 94%, the Rangers are set to succeed.
#4 Minnesota Wild (10-2-3; 23 Points)
Unchanged
I won’t tolerate the talk that the Minnesota Wild are a boring hockey team. Sorry Alex, the narrative doesn’t fit this year. Kiril looks amazing, they are fun to watch and a force to be reckoned with. They too have a very high PDO and I wonder if after that corrects where they look. However, for now, we should just sit and enjoy Marc Andre Fleury’s last run around the league because its been a fun one.
#3 Florida Panthers (11-3-1; 23 Points)
Unchanged
7 game streak probably deserves a 2nd place spot but point percentage just edges them back to 3, for now anyways. Sam Reinhart was a great resigning. Goalie Bob is below .900 through this starts, and it still doesn’t matter.
#2 Carolina Hurricanes (11-3-0; 22 Points)
Unchanged
Another great week for the Canes, much better than their start last year. They are still lagging a tad in scoring prowess but their defense is as stout as ever.
#1 Winnipeg Jets (14-1-0; 28 Points)
Unchanged
On pace for 153 points. They have a 14-1-0 start and that all but solidifies their spot in the playoffs. Things would have to be completely off the rails to miss the playoffs at this point. They look incredible. PDO of 102 will come crashing down but their game is just great.
In-Season Cup
Colorado takes the cup from the Preds and Alex is on his way up. James has had it rough so far.