NHL Power Rankings: Week 3
Second week in and we already have interesting headlines and drama across the league. The Atlantic Division has started out very interesting, with Detroit and Buffalo within the top and Tampa Bay is struggling out the gate. Avalanche are facing a tad bit of a hangover, it happens. It’s still very early but as Elliotte Friedman has graciously researched for us, if you’re a team that sits 4 or more points behind by November 1, you have an 80-85% chance of missing the playoffs. Guys, relax its just math and stats. By the way, scoring has been way up.
#16 Philadelphia Fliers (4-2-0, 8 Points)
Previously Unranked
Philly has had a decent start all things considered. This is a team to watch for the drama, either way it turns out.
#15 Edmonton Oilers (2-3-0, 4 Points)
Previously #11
Need better defense, a bit better goaltending, and just a bit more urgency.
#14 Detroit Red Wings (3-0-2, 8 Points)
Previously #15
Woof. The TLDR boys are right about this Wings team. They are looking great. They have a point in every game so far which is massive. +8 goal differential. I like to see Detroit do well.
#13 Buffalo Sabres (4-1-0, 8 Points)
Previously Unranked
So far, I am right. Buffalo is a sneaky good, scrappy team. They are getting great goaltending, they are scoring goals, and coming together to win games. +11 goal differential. Rasmus Dahlin scoring 5 goals in first 5 games, an NHL Record. Beat Edmonton and Calgary.
#12 Tampa Bay Lightning (3-3-0, 6 Points)
Previously #19
Tampa is slow out of the gate here. The once thought bottom feeders are above them in the standings. This is another pedigree and roster-based ranking because a couple more weeks like this and the Lightning could find their way out of my rankings. I wouldn’t bet on it.
#11 New York Rangers (3-2-1, 7 Points)
Previously #10
Rangers haven’t had the Vezina Trophy Shesterkin emerge quite yet, but they are finding ways to win. They have an even goal differential, but they are playing well. This might be a good test for the Rangers, finding ways to win when they don’t have their goaltending to bail them out.
#10 Vegas Golden Knights (4-2-0, 8 Points)
Previously #6
Don’t take too much into the drop in rank for the Knights. Logan Thompson is looking fantastic in net and could be inking his name in the Calder Cup finalist voting already. Keep your eye on this guy because he is looking great. Oh yeah, and Jack Eichel is good at hockey.
#9 Toronto Maple Leafs (4-2-0, 8 Points)
Previously #8
Maple Leafs have not looked great. Good enough to win perhaps? Ilya Samsonov is doing very well to try and save the Maple Leafs season in net after Murray went down. Lot of questions in Leaf land still but they are still earning points so there’s that.
#8 St. Louis Blues (3-0-0, 6 Points)
Previously #12
Yes, I know its only 3 games which is why the only undefeated team is only ranked 8. The St. Louis Blues are finding ways to win in many ways. They took the Oilers to a hard 1-0 win that saw a great goaltending battle. Jordan Binnington is looking very very good.
#7 Florida Panthers (4-1-1, 9 Points)
Previously Unranked
Florida is finding their footing now. Goal differential is a bit of a worry still but they are finding their way to stay within the top rankings, after falling behind early. Tkachuk is looking to be a menace in that rivalry with the Bolts. Will it be enough?
#6 Dallas Stars (4-0-1, 9 Points)
Previously #7
Dallas is just so hot right now. +12 goal differential, who said this team can’t score. The history of Pete Deboer’s first season behind the bench are well documented and he is having this team playing a different, sexier style and finding the goaltending they had last season. This is a recipe for a contending season.
#5 Colorado Avalanche (3-2-1, 7 Points)
Previously #3
Losing to Jets and Kraken could suggest I have the Stanley Cup Champs a bit high here. I still look at the Avs and shudder. They are dealing with a bit of a hangover here and we found out their captain is out for a very long time. Given their pedigree, they get a top-5 rank.
#4 Carolina Hurricanes (3-1-1, 7 Points)
Unchanged
Carolina is looking as good as ever, and they started their season traveling to teams in the West. Martin Necas is looking so good in what can only be considered a breakout season thus far. After posting a 40 point season in 78 games last year, he sits with 3 goals, 4 assists for 7 points through 5. What a start.
#3 Boston Bruins (5-1-0, 10 Points)
Previously #5
Okay Boston is handling their early injury woes just fine. B’s haven’t missed a beat, have a nice +8 goal differential and the Czech-mate line is looking so good. Hall had a nice OT winner over the Wild this week. Remember, this team is missing McAvoy and Marchand…key pieces.
#2 Pittsburgh Penguins (4-0-1, 9 Points)
Unchanged
Penguins with another great week, capturing a point in every contest. Pittsburgh is scoring at a crazy clip and keeping the damn puck out of every net. +15 goal-differential is a hot stat. Sure, a few of those games have been against the meh teams but putting up 6 against LA gives me, an Oilers fan worry about Monday night.
#1 Calgary Flames (4-1-0, 8 Points)
Unchanged
Calgary continues to be hot taking another couple wins on the week. Goal differential is a bit to be desired, but this team is probably even more defensively gifted as ever. The second of the third BoA is this weekend. Tune in for that.