NHL Power Rankings: Week 5
Alright. It’s time to give you real power rankings. I didn’t get the reaction I was hoping for my insane rankings. From now on rankings will be much more thoughtful so that you can get a good idea of who’s good, who’s bad, and who’s trending in the right direction. Sorry for leading you all astray.
#16 Minnesota Wild (5-5-1, 11 Points)
Previously Unranked
Minnesota gets my pick here, mainly due to the fact that they have stemmed the bleeding and I like their makeup and I like how Fleury is starting to find his groove again. I think this team is much better than their record suggests but it will be up to them to continue to win. Goal differential is still weak due to their weak start. They need to show me more though.
#15 New York Islanders (7-5-0, 13 Points)
Previously #12
New York Islanders are starting to turn a corner maybe. 6-4-1 through their last 10. +11 goal differential is very good and much of that is their better than league average shooting percentage and much stronger SV% than the league average. Barzal is finding his way to contribute in a big way. This team might be finding its stride again, but I would like to see better 5 on 5 stats.
#14 Toronto Maple Leafs (6-4-2, 14 Points)
Previously Unranked
Toronto Maple Leafs have started to improve after their awful California trip. They beat up on the Flyers before squeaking out a win against the Mighty B’s. I think this team needs work internally. They have an urgency issue and a consistency issue. On paper, this team has the ability to dominate but their make up is not the guys I would want to take on a deep run. They have work to do mentally in my opinion.
#13 Detroit Red Wings (6-3-2, 14 Points)
Previously #10
The Red Wings could deserve to be higher right now, but I actually am looking at who they are winning. They have had troubles against good teams but are beating the weaker teams. So, while this team is much better than they were last year, they didn’t deserve the love I was giving them. I like this team, don’t get me wrong but they are more fitting in this spot. Possession numbers are tough and not representative of a long-term contender. This team is just fun right now and sometimes that’s enough!
#12 Florida Panthers (6-5-1, 13 Points)
Previously #13
Florida on paper is better than this they are just not looking fantastic yet. 6-5-1 is not great but this team has a lot more to offer. Their 5 on 5 stats are actually quite striking. They are possessing the puck very well which isn’t your problem. The goaltending has been very bad and the actual goal scoring has been awful. A measly 10% PP% is just awful when the league average is over 20%. Puck luck isn’t there but if they can start to convert, this team could find their stride.
#11 Buffalo Sabres (7-5-0, 14 Points)
Previously #9
Buffalo is largely loving their spot here on the rankings for multiple weeks. The Sabres are finding ways to win. They have lost two in a row here and against much better teams in their division, which is really a reminder where they actually stand in all of this. But nonetheless, the Sabres are scrappy, they are proud, and they are looking like a much more watchable team then they have been in last many years. Rasmus Dahlin is a stud and is finally showing what he’s truly capable of.
#10 New York Rangers (6-4-2, 14 Points)
Previously #11
New York Rangers are a good team. They possess the puck very very well just have sub optimal goaltending right now. If Shesterkin can find some consistency, you could see this team be very very scary. Surprisingly enough, shooting% is still a bit under season average, so there is some work to do there. Negative goal differential should surprise that they rank here but honestly, I look at this team and I like what I see on paper. They are on thin ice.
#9 Calgary Flames (5-4-1, 11 Points)
Previously #3
Calgary is struggling right now and its largely due to Markstrom’s play. Markstrom is at .900 SV% right now and the team’s 5 on 5 play is decent but not great. Tough finding the back of the net for this team to an extent in a year that is ranked as a best offense start to an NHL season. Nazem Kadri is looking fantastic but after than scoring is tough. Huberdeau’s start has been slow to say the least. I think this team is still a top team on paper but they are not gelling quite yet.
#8 Edmonton Oilers (7-5-0, 14 Points)
Previously #7
Edmonton gave up 2 goals in 7 seconds to lose to the surging Devils and laid a stinky egg against the Stars and their back up tendy. The Oilers scoring is never a problem but their defense and goaltending, mainly from Jack Campbell needs to improve fast. I do think Connor McDavid will fight to win the Rocket Richard. He is on pace for over 80 goals…the leader last year was Matthews with 60.
#7 Tampa Bay Lightning (7-4-1, 15 Points)
Previously #15
Tampa Bay always struggles in October. But much like the Avs, they are a contender with the core they have. The Bolts could give two shits about the regular season. I actually wouldn’t be shocked if this team ended up in the wild card position. However, if you are a Canes fan or a Bruins fan, how would you feel about matching up against the Bolts in the postseason after that killer of a regular season, what a reward. Bolts are 6-3-1 after their last 10 and now that November is here, watch them start to settle in.
#6 Colorado Avalanche (6-4-1, 13 Points)
Previously #16
Yes, the Avalanche are a top 6 if not better team. I should have been arrested for my crime against the hockey world for rating them anything lower than 10. The Avs may have shaken their hangover in Finland. These Rankings should consist not just of their record this year but expectations for this team and the make up of this team. It is true, I don’t think they are the best team in the league, but much like the Bolts, they are a contender and will always be a contender when you have Makar and Nate Dawg. I apologize to my TLDR fans and Avs fans out there.
#5 Dallas Stars (8-3-1, 17 Points)
Previously #8
Dallas Stars are in the top in the scoring side of the ledger. Their goaltending though, is now a question mark. Oettinger is amazing but it looks like he is out for bit. Wedgewood will need to step up to keep this team firing. And he did against the high-octane Oilers. .933 SV% against that strong offense is a good sign that they can tread water until Oettinger comes back.
#4 New Jersey Devils (9-3-0, 18 Points)
Previously #5
This ranking is not so crazy anymore. The New Jersey Devils have won 6 games in a row. I am starting to care about who you are playing though. That said, you dominated the Alberta teams this past weekend. The Devils are dominating the puck, as the analytical fanbase will show you. The goaltending needs work still. Sub .900 is not a recipe for success down the stretch. I don’t love the ranking here given the goaltending, but they are outscoring their problems and that’s worth something. I like this young teams core.
#3 Carolina Hurricanes (8-2-1, 17 Points)
Previously #4
The Canes have won 4 in a row here and are good for a 7-2-1 record through their last 10. The goal differential is a bit to be desired, mainly on the offensive side. They have found ways to win 1-2 goal games consistently, but I would like to see a better scoring clip from this team, or they will struggle again. They own the puck consistently, but their finish is just lacking big time.
#2 Vegas Golden Knights (11-2-0, 22 Points)
Unchanged
Vegas could easily be #1. The Golden Knights are on a huge 7 game winning streak and are 8-2-0 on the season. Their High Danger Changed for is a huge 61%. They are possessing the puck better than anyone, their goaltending is one of the best. And Jack Eichel is the man. They are looking incredible.
#1 Boston Bruins (10-2-0, 20 Points)
Unchanged
Boston has 2 losses on the season. 10-2-0 on the season. They have scored a whopping 51 goals so far and let in a measly 30, good for a lead leading 21 goal differential. They beat up on the bad teams, beat the good teams, and are getting very great goaltending. Linus Ullmark and Swayman are dead even. Swayman could be out for a while so Ullmark will need to keep his swagger going.
In-Season Cup
Alex has been dominating this pool. New Jersey took the Cup on November 1 and never let it go. Oilers were poised to take it so I could at least step out of the gate, but that failed to work out and here we sit with Alex slated to have a nice lead. We still have over 150 days still so there is plenty of time.
