NHL Power Rankings: Week 1
Week 1 started off sloppy. That was the harsh reality of having only 4 pre-season games this year, the first 2-3 games felt like pre-season games. High scoring affairs and some slow/sloppy play. I think its starting to improve already as teams start to settle in to their season. I am all for it. The weird part? The Oilers aren’t dead last and actually have a winning record so far. We live in weird times. The Pacific is going to be a dog fight at the top potentially and that is something we haven’t seen in awhile.
#16 San Jose Sharks (2-1-0, 4 Points)
Unchanged
I am giving the Sharks the benefit of the doubt because I love my wife. They haven’t really held the play through any of their games but they are getting the saves and they are outscoring their issues. The loss of Macklin for any extended time could be a major problem but they need to really tighten up their game, especially 5on5. Their spot on this list in hanging on by a thread.
#15 Washington Capitals (1-1-0, 2 Points)
Previously #10
The Capitals seem to have depth. They looked great against the Canes and they held their own against the Bolts. They may not have the highest skilled players but they have a solid lineup all the way down. Their 5on5 numbers suggest just that. They are getting the saves they need and they are scoring where they need. Congrats to Ovechkin as this is your last year. I hope it’s a great one for the Great 8.
#14 Buffalo Sabres (1-1-0, 2 Points)
Previously #8
Sabres are not quite having the start I would have liked to see but regardless, they are going to be okay. Nice come from behind win against Chicago. Jiri Kulich looks quite good! Goaltending might be a problem and if its not fixed quickly, they could have major issues in this division. I hope Levi pops off in Edmonton because that will make Sabres look really foolish.
#13 Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1-0, 4 Points)
Previously #5
They turned the page from a pathelic loss to New York with a nice win over Washington. Coach Cooper was quite pissed to say the least but his words may have helped turn the page quickly. While it will take time to see if that will come to fruition, this is a team that really needs to get it together. Their 5on5 game is okay but they need to execute in parts of the game. Their domination of Philly suggests it may be here to stay. Let’s see how they look against the Wild today.
#12 Carolina Hurricanes (1-1-1, 3 points)
Previously #3
The Hurricanes haven’t had the best of start. Underlying numbers are not what we’d expect from the Hurricanes. They are barely carrying the expected goal share and they aren’t scoring to their potential. Could be a quick Stanley Cup hangover. They outshot Philly 40-18. I think they will take some ibuprofen and eat some yummy soup and be just fine. Book it, the Canes will move up at least 2 spots next week.
#11 Montreal Canadiens (1-0-1, 3 Points)
Previously #3
The Habs start the season with some defence? It can’t be. They are controlling the play so far and I am all for it. On top of that, they are scoring at a nice clip so far. Their goaltending is not quite holding up their end of the bargain but if the defense work continues, you’ll see the goaltending settle in as well. They may not be the most fun team like last year but they don’t care, they are looking to be a stable team from front to back.
#10 Anaheim Ducks (2-0-0, 4 Points)
Previously #13
What a great start for the Ducks. They beat the Golden Knights and the Panthers to start the season with a big game (where I am in attendance) tomorrow. Their expected goal share is nothing to write home about, which has been par for the course for the Ducks. But how about those positive saves above expected. Dostal has come in and is doing his job! This team needs to improve its 5on5 play but when they do, they might be a force. The D core still is questionable but if they can get strong work from the forward group, the Ducks will be a problem yet again.
#9 New York Rangers (3-1-0, 6 Points)
Previously Unranked
I am shocked I have to put the Rangers in this spot. They are shocking me early. 11 goals in the first 4 games. Here’s what scares me, they rely on the goaltending yet again. They are allowing way too many goals against but the goaltending above expected is as strong as ever right now. They are not winning the expected goal share but they are capitalizing when it matters. They look pretty good to start for a team that I thought had no direction.
#8 Florida Panthers (1-0-2, 4 Points)
Previously #3
The Panthers had a tragic start to the season as Sasha Barkov went off with an apparent leg injury. I don’t know how long he will be out but any time is too much time. The league is better when Barkov is playing in the NHL. The world is better. That said, the Panthers seem to struggle to score. They aren’t scoring up to their expected levels. Their goaltending looks great but they can’t finish yet. I wonder if that will change because as per usual, they are as nasty as ever. They are just relentless on the forecheck and are incredible at owning the puck.
#7 Edmonton Oilers (2-0-1, 5 Points)
Previously #9
My fellow podcaster, James and I both are hard on our respective teams in our respective sports. We call it realism. But despite the fact that the Oilers have scored an eye watering 17 goals, a strong 57% expected goal share, and scoring over 4 goals above their expected level, they have another goaltending problem. Their defense was weak in games 1 and 2 at key times but I give them credit for one thing. They tightened up their game incrementally. The odd man rushes disappeared in game 2 and the lack of cleaning up the front of the net disappeared in game 3. They are incrementally improving and for that they get some props. Devon Levi needs to continue improving.
#6 Vegas Golden Knights (2-1-0, 4 Points)
Previously #12
The Knights competition hasn’t been fantastic. They have beat lousy teams and lost to a good team. That said, they have very strong 5on5 numbers to start. You play who you play and we would be pounding them if they dropped those games against the lousy teams. They are not getting the full goaltending they’d like but Adin Hill had a nice game and if the Knights can get some consistency from him, they will always be a problem team. Brayden McNabb, the stay at home D man, has 4 points in 3 games. Incredible stuff to see the big D-men contributing.
#5 Ottawa Senators (2-0-0, 4 Points)
Previously Unranked
I think the Senators were written off by not only this writer but the entire hockey world. Losing your captain to Florida is never a start to a season you want to have. But sometimes you need to park that, look around the room, and find a way to move on with the players who want to stay. And I know its been 2 games, but they are doing just that. They have owned their games 5on5 in terms of expected goals. And saves above expected are a huge positive for a team that seems to defend well enough. 7 goals in 2 games is solid but 3 goals against in 2 games is great!
#4 Utah Mammoth (2-1-0, 4 Points)
Previously #11
The Mammoth is a team that just does most things right every single night. Strong possession numbers, they hold onto the puck, they generate very well 5on5 and are getting fantastic goaltending early. Problem is, you need to be able to convert that production and failure to do so could lead to a team who can’t finish and you really cannot be that team in this league. Defense can only win you so much. The forward group is looking great. Their depth may be in question but their start is deserved of a strong 4 spot.
#3 Pittsburgh Penguins (2-0-0, 4 Points)
Previously Unranked
The first weeks worth of hockey does tend to create crazy rankings, but I want to give credit where it is due. The Penguins are looking great. Yes its been 2 games but the puck don’t lie. They sit 3rd in expected goals with a strong 62.7% and yet still scoring above their expected generation 5on5. All this with solid goaltending. The new additions have looked great and they really made Philly look awful. I don’t expect the Pens to stay up her but they are here for now!
#2 Minnesota Wild (2-0-0, 4 Points)
Previously #7
The Wild have come on strong. They are not burning down the house with their offense, but they never have. They sit with a positive 5on5 goal share, strong expected goal share. They don’t generate a lot but more importantly they don’t give up much and the goaltending has been better than expected. When you are above average in defending and still finding better goaltending than you expect, you have a hard team to play against. Kiril Kaprizov has 3 goals in 2 games and Quinn Hughes continues to eat minutes. This team is built to go far.
#1 Colorado Avalanche (2-0-0, 4 Points)
Previously #2
Colorado picks up where they left off last regular season. Strong outing with two straight wins. 14 goals scored and 5 against is quite the opening statement. They continue to dominate the puck and score at will. Better yet, goaltending seems to be as solid as it can be for a team that defends as well as they do. That 20% PP is also right where they left it. I like to think that number will improve this year. 59% expected goals through 2 games…Just great stuff.