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 October 18th.
Biggest Move Up: Nashville Predators
Biggest Move Down: San Jose Sharks
No. 1 Washington Capitals (4-1-0) 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 three offensive categories in the early going. The defense and goal-tending have been just as good so far this season.
No. 2 Toronto Maple Leafs (4-0-0) Northeast Division
Toronto leads (tied with FLA) the East with a +7 goal differential. They are also playing "lights out" on special teams. The Leafs came into this season trying to end a 5-year playoff drought and seem to be heading in the right direction. I really like this team!
No. 3 Nashville Predators (3-1-1) Central Division
Barry Trotz is arguably the best coach in all of Hockey, and he has this team playing sound Hockey, ranking 7th in scoring and 7th in defense. Steve Sullivan has tallied four goals in three games this season, twice as many as he had at this juncture in any of his previous 13 seasons in the NHL.
No. 4 Dallas Stars (4-0-0) Pacific Division
This year's suprise team after the first two weeks. Long time Stars' Mart Turco and Mike Modano are gone, but that hasn't affected their play so far. Through four games the Stars have been out-shot 146-90, but they are undefeated. That says a lot about the play of Goalie Kari Lehtonen and the team’s ability to make the most of its chances. I need to see more from this team!
No. 5 Detroit Red Wings (3-1-1) 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. 6 Chicago Blackhawks (3-2-1) Central Division
Your Defending Stanley Cup Champions are getting every team's top-notch effort. The goal-tending has let a lot of soft goals, something that did not happen last season. Chicago is showing signs of breaking out and could be moving up this list rather quickly.
No. 7 Pittsburgh Penguins (3-3-0) Atlantic Division
Not the fastest start by any means, but that is typical of a Penguins' team. Sidney Crosby has 6 points in six games to lead the way. Evgeni Malkin's move from center to wing really hasn't factored too much into his slow start as he's still getting plenty of looks and opportunities.
No. 8 Los Angeles Kings (3-1-0) Pacific Division
The Kings are showing everyone in the Pacific division they mean business this season. Jonathan Quick made 25 saves, captain Dustin Brown scored two third-period goals and the Los Angeles Kings avenged their first-round playoff loss for the second time in seven days, beating the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 Friday night. This team is loaded!
No. 9 Vancouver Canucks (3-2-1) Northwest Division
They have played the toughest schedule so far losing two games to the LA Kings. This teams has loads of talent but they look lazy on the Ice so far. This might be lowest ranking for the Canucks you will see all season. The offense has been brutal ranking No. 22 after two weeks of the regular season.
No. 10 Montreal Canadians (3-1-1) Northeast Division
Montreal has played five games this season and each one was decided by a one-goal margin. The Canadians are the fourth team in NHL history to begin a season with five straight one-goal games without a shootout. 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.
No. 11 Tampa Bay Lightning (3-1-0) Southeast Division
Guy Bocher has this team playing at a very high level. They played suffocating defense until their meltdown loss at Florida. Expect better efforts in the coming weeks from my Eastern Conference Spotlight Team.
No. 12 Colorado Avalanche (3-2-0) 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 played the fewest home games as well.
No. 13 Florida Panthers (2-2-0) Southeast Division
The Panthers are a league-best (tied with Tor) +7 in goal differential, despite playing only four games. David Booth had two goals and Florida beat Tampa Bay 6-0 on Saturday night, jumping out to a big lead while handing the Lightning their first loss of the season.
No. 14 New York Islanders (2-1-2) Atlantic Division
No team has been injured more than the Islanders to start the season. They will play five of their next six games on the road. The Islanders may have peaked at No. 14 on the Power Rankings.
No. 15 Atlanta Thrashers (3-2-0) Southeast Division
A big upset win at San Jose will do wonders for their confidence going forward. The offense, defense, and special teams is much improved over last year. Will it continue? Stay tuned!
No. 16 Philadelphia Flyers (2-2-1) 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 will play three out of their next four games at home, starting on Thursday against the Ducks
No. 17 St. Louis Blues (2-1-1) Central Division
Adding Jaroslav Halak in goal has worked so far in the early going. The offense has been a nice surprise to start the season. This team is well coached and always plays hard!
No. 18 Boston Bruins (2-1-0) Northeast Division
The Bruins look real steady in all aspects of the game. This team has a big home-and-home series with the Washington Capitals starting on Tuesday, Oct. 19th.
No. 19 Carolina Hurricanes (2-2-0) 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. 26 out of 30 teams. Never a good sign!
No. 20 San Jose Sharks (1-1-1) Pacific Division
Losing at home to the Atlanta Thrashers is not what the Sharks had in mind. This team is too talented not to turn things around sooner than later.
No. 21 Edmonton Oilers (2-2-0) Northwest Division
They are young and very exciting to watch led by Jordan Eberle. Edmonton has been brutal at killing penalties so far this season. Expect more growing pains in the weeks to come.
No. 22 Anaheim Ducks (2-3-1) Pacific Division
Filling the void left by the retirement of one of the greatest Blue-Liners of all time, Scott Niedermayer has been evident this year. The Ducks are ranked dead last in GAA in the Western Conference, and ranked first in penalties committed.
No. 23 Columbus Blue Jackets (2-2-0) Central Division
The Blue Jackets are 2-0 on the road and 0-2 at home. Columbus better start winning at home because it does not get any easier playing in the Central division.
No. 24 Calgary Flames (2-2-0) Northwest Division
Offense continues to plaque this team with just 8 goals in four games. It's a good thing the defense has been stellar or the Flames would have zero wins.
No. 25 Minnesota Wild (1-2-1) Northwest Division
The Wild are having major trouble on offense scoring just 10 goals in their first four games of the season. The defense and goal-tending has been solid, and they have committed the fewest amount of penalties in all of Hockey.
No. 26 New York Rangers (1-1-1) Atlantic Division
The Rangers looked real good in their win, but also looked old and slow in their losses. They are ranked No. 1 in scoring, but ranked No. 1 in goals allowed per game. Marian Gaborik will be lost for 2-4 weeks with a separated shoulder. Chris Drury will be lost for 4-6 weeks. Tough!
No. 27 Ottawa Senators (1-3-1) Northeast Division
The Senators have made the playoffs in nine of the last ten years. It was a tough week for Ottawa losing two out of three one-goal games. Ottawa needs to stop committing stupid penalties or the season will spin out of control.
No. 28 New Jersey Devils (1-4-1) Atlantic Division
The New Jersey Devils have scored just 10 goals in six games, but the big concern has to be on defense. The Devils are ranked dead last in goals against per game so far this season. Will the real Martin Brodeur please show up!
No. 29 Buffalo Sabres (1-4-1) Northeast Division
The Sabres are are allowing too many scoring chances and they have yet to win at home. This team is too talented to be ranked last. Expect this team to put some wins together in the coming weeks.
No. 30 Phoenix Coyotes (1-2-1) 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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JEFF H
http://twitter.com/jhsportsline
Click here to view all of Jeff Hochman's premium picks.
Social Bookmarking
