4-time NHL Handicapping Champion Jeff Hochman updates his Top 30 NHL teams every two weeks. Here are my updated NHL Power Rankings for the week of November 1st, 2010.
No. 1 Los Angeles Kings (8-3-0) Pacific Division
The Kings are showing everyone in the Pacific division they mean business this season. If you read my Western Conference Spotlight team article, than you already know how good the LA Kings were going to be this season. What's even more impressive, is they are winning while missing one of the best two-way players (Drew Doughty) in all of Hockey. The LA Kings will play their next four games at Staple Centre were they are 4-0 so far this season.
No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning (7-2-1) Southeast Division
If you read my Eastern Conference Spotlight team article, than you know how much I like Tampa Bay this season. Guy Bocher has this team playing at a very high level. They play suffocating defense and that leads to numerous scoring chances. Looking good!
No. 3 Washington Capitals (7-4-0) Southeast Division
Head Coach Bruce Boudreau employs a very aggressive style on offense which helped the Capitals lead the NHL in four offensive categories last season. Washington leads in four offensive categories after the first month of the season. The defense and goal-tending have been just as good and they are ranked fourth in face-offs.
No. 4 Montreal Canadians (7-3-1) Northeast Division
Carey Price has been solid so far in net and the offense has done enough. The Canadians are fast but will have trouble with bigger defenses. Montreal is winning a lot of one-goal games, and will need more offense if they want to be a serious Stanley Cup contenders next Spring.
No. 5 Chicago Blackhawks (7-5-1) Central Division
Your Defending Stanley Cup Champions are getting every team's top-notch effort. The Blackhawks have played the most games in the NHL so far with 13 under their belt. Chicago looks good so far, but will their lack of depth catch up to them? Stay tuned!
No. 6 Philadelphia Flyers (6-4-1) Atlantic Division
This team has been "nicked" up to start the season. If they can get healthy soon expect this team to reach elite status. The Flyers are ranked in the Top 10 in every important key offensive and defensive category. They also know how to win close games!
No. 7 Pittsburgh Penguins (6-5-1) Atlantic Division
Not the fastest start by any means, but that is typical of a Penguins' team. November is usually when they go on a nice long winning streak. My calender says November 1st so lets get going. The Penguins are a plus +7 in goal differential which tells me they are ready to bust out,
No. 8 St. Louis Blues (6-1-2) Central Division
Adding Jaroslav Halak in goal has worked for the Blues so far this season. The offense has been a nice surprise to start the season and the Special teams remains in the Top 10. This team is well coached and will always plays hard. Looks like a playoff team to me!
No. 9 Detroit Red Wings (6-2-1) Central Division
Detroit was an NHL-best 16-3-2 after the Olympic break and looked liked the dominate team it has been for many many years. More of the same so far this year. The Red Wings knocked off the Coyotes last week, and have the look that a long winning streak is on the horizon.
No. 10 Boston Bruins (6-2-1) Northeast Division
This is the team you want to pay close attention too. Boston has scored 24 goals and have given up only 11 in just eight games this season. The Bruins look like a team on a mission so far this season.
No. 11 Dallas Stars (6-4-1) Pacific Division
This year's surprise team after the first four weeks. Long time Stars' Mart Turco and Mike Modano are gone, but that hasn't affected their play so far. The Stars are giving up more shots than they take. Not a good sign for the Stars.
No. 12 Nashville Predators (5-2-3) Central Division
Nashville is having a difficult time putting the puck in the net scoring just 2.30 goals per game. The defense remains one of the league's best under head coah Barry Trotz. The schedule gets tougher in the coming weeks with eight of the next nine away from home. Brutal!
No. 13 Colorado Avalanche (6-4-1) Northwest Division
The best skating team in Hockey is creating numerous scoring chances off the rush. They have allowed the most goals of any first place team but have scored the most as well. This team will be in the playoffs next Spring.
No. 14 Columbus Blue Jackets (6-4-0) Central Division
The Blue Jackets will be heading down this list if they don't improve on their 2.40 goals for average. The defense has allowed 29 goals in 10 games and they need to get better on face-offs.
No. 15 San Jose Sharks (5-3-1) Pacific Division
This team has too much talent not be in the my top 5 right now. There are no free nights in the NHL as the Sharks are finding out. Since losing at home to Atlanta the Sharks look poised for a huge winning run. You have been warned!
No. 16 Calgary Flames (6-5-0) Northwest Division
Jumping up nine spots are the surprise Flames due in part to an easy schedule. They have played the least amount of road games and might have peaked on these sheets. I see major problems on special teams and defense so proceed with caution.
No. 17 Atlanta Thrashers (5-4-2) Southeast Division
A big upset win at San Jose did not help this team as they are just 2-4 since. The OVER is 9-2 in all Thrashers' games this year thanks in part to a great offense, great power-play, bad defense, and bad penalty kill.
No. 18 Toronto Maple Leafs (5-4-1) Northeast Division
It's been a struggle for the Leafs since starting the season with four straight victories. The main problem is on offense were they have scored just 23 goals in 10 games. The defense is one of the league's best allowing just 2.30 goals per game. The offense will improve and so will this team!
No. 19 Vancouver Canucks (4-3-2) Northwest Division
They have played the fewest amount of games in the West and have yet to win a road game. Vancouver has won two in a row and seem to be finding their stride. I would expect a big jump from Vancouver on this list in two weeks.
No. 20 New York Rangers (5-4-1) Atlantic Division
The Rangers have been able to stay above the .500 mark despite missing two key personnel. Marian Gaborik will be lost for another 1-2 weeks with a separated shoulder. Chris Drury will be lost for another 2-4 weeks. The Rangers are 4-1 on the road and 1-3-1 at home.
No. 21 Minnesota Wild (4-4-2) Northwest Division
The Wild are having major trouble on offense scoring just 26 goals in their first 10 games of the season. The defense and goal-tending remains solid, and they still have committed the fewest amount of penalties in all of Hockey. This will be a pivotal week for the Wild as they try to improve on offense.
No. 22 Carolina Hurricanes (5-5-0) Southeast Division
If the Hurricanes don't start scoring more goals, they will be heading down this list. Also, the penalty kill unit is ranked No. 25 and the Power Play is ranked No. 26 out of 30 teams. Cam Ward has been solid in Net for Carolina with a 2.75 GAA and .923 save percentage.
No. 23 New York Islanders (4-5-2) Atlantic Division
They dropped eight spots from these rankings and have lost four straight games. The Islanders haven't had any luck with injuries so far this season. Tough times ahead as they play five or their next six games away from home.
No. 24 Florida Panthers (4-5-0) Southeast Division
The Panthers are the best last place team with a Plus +3 goal differential. The young kids are playing extremely hard each and every night so far. Tomas Vokun has been solid in Net with a 2.37 GAA and .921 save percentage.
No. 25 Ottawa Senators (4-6-1) Northeast Division
This veteran team is off to a slow start once again this season. They are ranked No. 25 in Goals scored and ranked No. 26 in Goals allowed. At least they have the 10th best Penalty killing unit in the league.
No. 26 Phoenix Coyotes (3-4-3) Pacific Division
Last year's surprise team is off to a slow start thanks in part to lack of scoring. The defense has been solid, but if the Coyotes don't start putting the puck in the net it will be a long year in the desert. The schedule gets brutal starting with Nashville on Wednesday (Nov. 3), followed by Dallas, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Chicago.
No. 27 Anaheim Ducks (4-7-1) Pacific Division
They are a conference worst minus -13 in goal differential. They also commit the most penalties per game in all of Hockey. Not a good combo especially in the very competitive Western Conference.
No. 28 Edmonton Oilers (3-4-2) Northwest Division
The best game they played was opening night against the Flames. Since than it's been a a lot miscues on defense. The team remains in good hands with Tom Renney as head coach.
No. 29 Buffalo Sabres (3-7-2) Northeast Division
The Sabres have played 12 games and still have not tasted victory at home. Buffalo is minus -8 in Goal Differential which has to be a concern in Sabre land.
No. 30 New Jersey Devils (3-8-1) Atlantic Division
The New Jersey Devils have scored just 20 goals in 12 games, but the big concern has to be on defense. The Devils are ranked 28th in goals against per game. They look old and slow right now on the Ice.
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Jeff Hochman
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