NHL Power Rankings: Week 3
The 3rd week seems to be the week where the good teams are starting to emerge and separate from those have nots. It seems like clockwork every season. The first week is a surprise week. 2nd week a response week and 3rd week shows us who can play a consistent game. There are teams in the league that need to learn to play a game that is repeatable. Consistency is bred from a style of play that is repeatable on a night in and night out basis and those consistent teams are starting to emerge.
#16 Anaheim Ducks (4-3-0, 8 Points)
Previously #8
Ducks lost to the Bruins and then the Flames in the same week. They are still above .500 but their game is not trending where they need it to. I watched this team, and they are capable of scoring in bunches. This is their game and it is lethal when the puck hits the twine. Beyond the top guys, the depth doesn’t seem to be clicking at the rate they need to plus their D group is much to be desired. Their 5on5 play really needs work. They are 21st in expected goals against and 14th in expected goals for, and they are scoring under their expected goal clip. I think this team is still very good, but the defensive game will need some work. I give grace as this is a young team and last year, they were a terrifying team to play. Much of the league knows who they are now, it’s up to this group to find a way to adjust.
#15 Montreal Canadiens (4-3-1, 9 Points)
Previously Unranked
The Habs seemingly have improved their 5v5 game. They hold the play most nights, they generate more than the average team and defend better than the average team. The problem is their goaltending is not doing this team any favors. Slaf also needs to get going if this team has any hopes to compete for the Stanley Cup.
#14 Ottawa Senators (5-1-0, 10 Points)
Previously #11
The Sens 5 on 5 play is much to be desired. They have a lot of work to do in that department as they really struggle to generate offense. The goaltending, though is quite amazing. Linus Ullmark is on pace to win the Vezina with his play as he is sporting a strong .945 SV%. If this man and Tim Stutzle weren’t on this team playing like they are, this team would be far off my list and they are trending in the wrong direction.
#13 Washington Capitals (5-3-0, 10 Points)
Previously #14
The highlight of this team is the fact that my boy Vinny Deharnais is a +10 through 8 games after signing a surprising long deal with Washington. So happy to see success for my boy Vinny. The rest of the team is looking solid enough! They probably give up too much and could improve on their generating abilities but they are a team that can find the back of the net. I like their depth.
#12 New York Islanders (4-3-1, 9 points)
Previously Unranked
The Islanders seem to have brought back that stingy, stifling defensive game that somewhat left their game last year. They are very good at limiting chances against. They are towards the upper end in that department, but bottom of the pack in generating chance. They have a negative expected goal share, not because of D but because of O. They just can’t generate all that much and it’s really bringing us back to that classic 2020’s Islanders team we know and love. And by love, I mean hate. +5.85 saves above expected will only get you so far if you don’t have the run support. Ask the Dodgers pitching staff how that goes. Yes, I had to get that shot in.
#11 New York Rangers (6-3-1, 13 Points)
Previously #9
1-1-1 with a -4 goal differential but I give a lot of credit to this team. Dylan Garland has come in and calmed the worries in net, for now. This team has been above average in suppressing expected goals which has helped translate to a solid bit of tending for the team. Alexis Lafreniere might finally be showing us the player we thought he was those years ago. Better late than never I guess.
#10 Dallas Stars (4-3-1, 9 points)
Previously #12
I should have waited to say the Dallas Stars were boring as they had a hell of a home and home against their bitter rivals in Colorado. They split, but Dallas needed OT. They turn around and smack around the Blackhawks, as good teams should. Here’s are the problems, they sit 29th in expected goal for per game and middle of the pack in GF this season. They are getting the D and the tending but need to find a more consistent scoring ability. We have seen their depth get exposed in recent years and maybe it’s finally catching up in the regular season.
#9 Boston Bruins (7-2-0, 14 Points)
Previously #10
The Bruins are starting to make me a believer. +8 G/D on the week and they finally are showing a positive expected goal share with average chance suppression numbers and above average generation numbers. They are getting the saves, no doubt but the rest of the team is actually pulling their weight too. They aren’t one of those teams I hate that rely on goaltending to get them through, they are actually carrying the play. Complemented with stellar goaltending and you have a team that could compete for a spot in the Atlantic all season.
#8 Florida Panthers (5-2-2, 12 Points)
Previously #13
Brady Tkachuk scored 2 natty hattys this week. The Tkachuks are in full control of their game now and it’s needed for this injury ridden team. They are old but they aren’t broken it seems. Their defense is as strong as ever as they have a sub 2 goals against per 60, in the top 5 of the entire league. They went +8 on the week. And all of this with a 20% PP. If they can unlock their lethal power play, the Cats might be back!
#7 Minnesota Wild (6-2-1, 13 Points)
Unchanged
Solid week for the Wild. Their special teams between the both of them is tops of the league but there are still very strong, and improving 5v5. They still generate more than they give up, but they need to find a way to finish on those chances. This is another team that if they improve their ability to finish 5v5, they will be a mighty hard team to beat.
#6 Utah Mammoth (6-3-0, 12 Points)
Previously #4
Utah is such a fun team. They are young, hungry, and play the game so well. Physical and fast is their game and they are not a team that is an easy game. They tend to dominate the puck on most nights. The problem with this lineup is who do they have to go up against the likes of Connor McDavid, Nate McKinnon, and/or Nikita Kucherov, to name a few. They don’t have the top end talent to beat those guys and that is a huge difference when series go the distance. They will be a threat all the way down the lineup but they need to find a way to improve their top end.
#5 Edmonton Oilers (6-1-1, 13 Points)
Previously #4
The Oilers lost their first game in regulation this past week but the response was what really mattered. After taking the L against the Mammoth on home ice, they went back into Utah and controlled the game. Connor McDavid is on another level. This team looks different. Here are a couple points of where they are different. They were 31st in dump in rate last year, they are 2nd this year. They are dumping and sending players into the corner to battle D and you’re seeing that push back the D to allow more space in the neutral zone. Further, they are 1st in odd man rush chances against…this Oilers team. That was their biggest weakness last year. They have simplified the game, they are getting pucks deep. It’s a boring version of hockey but the best teams are the teams that do it with a purpose. Dumping is a low-skill play if its not done with a purpose. The Oilers are forcing their D opponents to turn around, and race their weakside forward into a battle they don’t want to be in. This will give more space over time for sexy zone entries. This Oilers team is looking good. This style has led to a 2nd place expected goal against per 60…
#4 Tampa Bay Lightning (6-2-0, 12 Points)
Previously #5
Tampa Bay has a measly +4 goal differential but its not from their goals against column. They won the week with an even goal differential and the culprit? Their Power Play. It’s 10% on the year with a long-term core who has been doing it for a while, but things aren’t clicking right now. They are below their goals above expected, so the scoring isn’t coming as they’d like. But if that’s not coming you need to be able to defend and the Bolts are very stingy defensively with an average sub 2 expected goals against per 60. The “sticks will warm up” and when that comes, the Bolts will be a tough game.
#3 Colorado Avalanche (5-2-1, 11 Points)
Previously #6
Points in all games this week with a nice 2-0-1 run for the Avs as they come back into the picture as a major contender. Their 56% expected goal share just highlights this team’s ability to run through teams on the ice. Problem is they seem to have a bit of a goaltending issue. Its not awful but it their lack of consistent tending seems to put a lid on this teams potential. Nate Dawg has been a bit crazy this season with 2 fights already where he seems a bit too hot. The Avs need this guy fully healthy and fights are a certain risk that you wonder if Bednar thinks the risk isn’t worth the squeeze.
#2 Carolina Hurricanes (5-1-1, 11 points)
Previously #1
They lost to the Calgary Flames and it made James crash the F out. This is why I don’t bet on hockey because its too random that the best of teams can lose to the worst of teams. The Canes are sitting comfortably with a +12 G/D. They remain as relentless as ever as they continue to generate at a solid clip. Their finish is to be desired. My model suggests this is your best 5 on 5 team and the eye test suggests as much. Unless Calgary comes around…
#1 Vegas Golden Knights (8-2-0, 16 Points)
Previously #2
Jack Eichel now has 18 points in 10 games this year and Adin Hill has returned as strong as ever. 19 goals in 4 games for the team is fantastic work while only allowing 10. They are showing strong 5 on 5 numbers and the goaltending is doing its job! They are playing with their food when it came to their games this week and that is a sign of a legit contending team. The Knights will fight for the Pacific all season. 28% PP is quite the eye opening feat.