NHL Power Rankings: Week 3
What is your overreaction after the first two weeks? Mine is that Connor McDavid’s best days are behind him, Seattle Kraken will make the playoffs, and Montreal won’t need to struggle for wildcard because they will be solidly owning a divisional spot as they are one of the best in the division. Cole Caufield better play for the United States or I am protesting.
#16 St. Louis Blues (3-2-0, 6 Points)
Previously Unranked
Quite an interesting week with beating the Canucks and Stars but then turning around and allowing 8 to the damn Blackhawks. Lets see if they can learn to defend.
#15 Anaheim Ducks (2-2-1, 5 Points)
Previously #11
Little tougher competition for the Ducks and things feel slightly different now. They will look to settle in a bit as they will need to if they plan to make that playoff push this year. I am not out on them by any means, hence they still being here. They just need to find ways to win again and win consistently.
#14 Florida Panthers (3-4-0; 6 Points)
Previously #2
4 straight losses after a perfect opening week. Losing Barkov is starting to show. Brad Marchand is turning back the clock. The Panthers might find it tougher than normal this year with more teams coming up and the losses of key players. I mentioned I was worried about the Cats.
#13 Seattle Kraken (3-0-2; 8 Points)
Previously #7
The Kraken are getting what they didn’t last year, goaltending from Joey Daccord. They are defensively great but they need to enhance their offensive game. They don’t have the firepower than other teams do and rely on it coming from up and down the lineup. However, Lane Lambert seems to be having this team working in the right direction and that makes it hard for teams in the Pacific.
#12 New York Rangers (3-3-1; 7 Points)
Previously Unranked
The Rangers are weird because they can’t score at home but under the hood they look actually the best they have in recent years. They looked very good against the Oilers but they couldn’t solve Stu Skinners (insane I know). Mike Sullivan seems to be pulling the right levers for this team and you wonder if they are super successful, if he’d be up for the Jack Adams.
#11 Edmonton Oilers (2-3-1; 5 Points)
Previously #1
I am trying not to take much stock in the first 2 weeks of an Edmonton Oilers season. It’s a tale as old as time, the Oilers seemingly hate October hockey. Connor McDavid has yet to score a goal, and some are very worried. I know I had an overreaction, and I also said it tongue in cheek. While the effort level and sharpness of the team is awful right now, I think we pump the brakes on freaking out. Just stay annoyed because you do wish you could watch good hockey when the Oilers are on.
#10 Detroit Red Wings (5-1-0; 10 Points)
Previously Unranked
Dylan Larkin looked fantastic against the Oilers on Sunday. Goaltending looks really solid and their new rookie and Alberta boy Emmit Finnie has looked great in the top-6 for the Wings. This year looks different for the Wings, which will make it very hard for some other Atlantic teams.
#9 Utah Mammoth (4-2-0; 8 Points)
Previously Unranked
Utah looks very good. They are getting the best of Clayton Keller and I love to see that as I think he could be one of sneaky underrated players in this league. They have a tough test this week and lets see if they stay in the top 16.
#8 Winnipeg Jets (4-1-0; 8 Points)
Previously Unranked
I have always been a Jets are frauds guy but their regular season success is what it is, great! They are ranked last in expected goals for but their goaltending gets the job done. This year they aren’t getting as lucky with the finishing .
#7 Montreal Canadiens (4-2-0; 8 Points)
Previously #8
This is the most fun team in the league right now, and I am sorry to say that as I know James will read this. Cole Caulfield was absolutely incredible with back-to-back 2-goal games but back to back game winners in OT. He became the fastest player to 10 OT goals in league history, dating all the way back to 1928. This kid is clutch, and Team USA will need him. Montreal will be so fun this year.
#6 Dallas Stars (3-2-0; 6 Points)
Previously #3
Tough week for Dallas but their big dogs are getting it done which is more than I can say about other top teams in the league right now. The Stars have a bit more to go but they are close to what we can expect mid-season Stars to look like.
#5 Washington Capitals (4-2-0; 8 Points)
Previously #7
The Great 8 is still looking for his 900th goal. Crazy that I even type that statement. Chychrun has looked fantastic and I don’t see him going anywhere this time around as it seems like he was the nomad of his generation. Not this year.
#4 New Jersey Devils (4-1-0; 8 Points)
Previously #10
I watched the Devils go the other day and man they look dialed in. Hughes, Bratt, and Hischier are leading this team and its showing up both on the stat sheet and by the eye test. This is the 2nd best team in the Metro right and it will be fun to see them battle it out with Carolina all year.
#3 Vegas Golden Knights (4-0-2; 10 Points)
Previously #6
The big news was the PTO signing of Carter Hart. The Golden Knights are putting a lot of faith in a mediocre goaltender (by stats) all while having to answer the very hard questions. I’m not one to give my opinion on things but I will say there’s a very good reason no Canadian team would even touch him with a 10-foot pole. Interesting situation.
#2 Carolina Hurricanes (5-0-0; 10 Points)
Previously #4
Canes won’t lose a game this year. It looks easy for them right now, but it is very early. This is one of the teams that will be graded on their postseason success but they are controlling the league right now. Get this, Svech and Ehlers don’t have points yet, let them get cooking and things get really spicy.
#1 Colorado Avalanche (5-0-1; 11 Points)
Previously #5
Mac and Necas are the new duo to be worried about. They are both over 10 points just 6 games in. Who needs Mikko Rantanen? Gabe Landeskog is really finding his legs too which is awesome to see.