Weekly Power Rankings: October 26th, 2009
Last Week’s Rankings:Power Rankings (October 19th, 2009)
In week 3 of the Power Rankings, the Pens stay on top again, while the upstart Colorado Avalanche rise to the 2nd position. The bottom feeders from last year are proving everybody wrong with strong play from the youngsters and excellent goaltending from Craig Anderson.
The Coyotes still look solid but haven’t broken the Top 10 yet. How long can they sustain this level of play?
Fans in Long Island are celebrating after the Isles finally post their first win. Hey, its more then you can say for Leafs fans…
This week’s biggest risers are the Kings, Devils, and Canadiens, while the Blue Jackets, Thrashers, and Ducks plummeted.
TOP 10
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (no movement)
Record: 9-2-0
Last Week: 2-1-0
Games This Week: (vs. MTL, @ CLB, vs. MIN)
The red-hot Pens keep rolling, tying the best 10 game start of any defending Stanley Cup champion.
2. Colorado Avalanche (+1 spot)
Record: 8-1-2
Last Week: 2-0-1
Games This Week: (@ EDM, @ CAL, @ SJS, @ VAN)
The team almost everyone pegged to be last in the West continues to roll. 18-year-old Ryan O’Reilly is 2nd in the league in +/- with a +10.
3. Calgary Flames (+ 2 spots)
Record: 7-2-1
Last Week: 2-0-0
Games This Week: (vs. COL, vs. DET)
Going into the season, who thought an October game between the Flames and Avalanche would mean anything?
4. Chicago Blackhawks (no movement)
Record: 6-3-1
Last Week: 1-1-0
Games This Week: (vs. MIN, @ NSH, vs. MTL)
Losing Toews to this thunderous hit will definitely hurt, but the Hawks can handle their lackluster opponents this week without him.
5. New York Rangers (- 3 spots)
Record: 7-3-1
Last Week: 0-2-1
Games This Week: (vs. PHX, @ NYI, @ MIN, vs. BOS)
Marian Gaborik has a point in every game but 1 this season. He is the key to the Rangers success… until he gets injured.
6. San Jose Sharks (no movement)
Record: 7-4-1
Last Week: 3-1-0
Games This Week: (vs. LA, vs. COL, @ CAR)
Heater has lived up to the billing, potting 8 so far. While ex-captain Patrick Marleau has been even better, scoring 9.
7. Washington Capitals (+ 1 spot)
Record: 6-2-2
Last Week: 2-0-0
Games This Week: (vs. PHI, @ ATL, vs. NYI, vs. CLB)
Washington continues their solid play as Ovie and Co. keep padding the stat sheet night in and night out.
8. Buffalo Sabres (+ 5 spots)
Record: 6-1-1
Last Week: 2-0-0
Games This Week: (@ NJD, vs. TOR, @ NYI)
The surprising Sabres continue to sit atop the Northeast with only the Sens seemingly threatening them right now. Rookie d-man Tyler Myers a +8 with 5 points.
9. New Jersey Devils (+ 8 spots)
Record: 6-3-0
Last Week: 2-0-0
Games This Week: (vs. BUF, @ BOS, @ TAM)
Martin Brodeur is only 1 shutout away from tying Terry Sawchuk for most all-time and cementing himself as the greatest goalie of all time. Oh, and the Devils aren’t bad either.
10. Philadelphia Flyers (- 1 spot)
Record: 5-3-1
Last Week: 2-1-0
Games This Week: (@ WSH, vs. CAR)
The team has gelled very nicely and still looks like a Stanley Cup contender. New acquisition Chris Pronger has done his part with 8 points and a +5.
MIDDLE 10
11. Phoenix Coyotes (no movement)
Record: 6-3-0
Last Week: 1-1-0
Games This Week: (@ NYR, @ CLB, @ STL, vs. ANA)
The fairytale continues as the Yotes continue their solid play. They should start to level off soon enough, but with the way this season has been, they could also win the President’s Trophy.
12. Los Angeles Kings (+ 10 spots)
Record: 8-4-0
Last Week: 4-0-0
Games This Week: (@ SJS, vs. VAN)
The Kings have been up and down and up again, winning 4 in a row most recently. Anze Kopitar has been unstoppable of late, rocketing to the top of the league with 21 points.
13. Ottawa Senators (- 3 spots)
Record: 5-2-2
Last Week: 0-0-2
Games This Week: (@ FLA, @ TAM, vs. ATL)
The Sens system is working so far thanks to the play of Alfie and Mike Fisher. Pascal Leclaire hasn’t been spectacular but he is getting the job done.
14. Dallas Stars (- 2 spots)
Record: 5-2-4
Last Week: 2-1-1
Games This Week: (vs. TOR, vs. FLA, @ NSH)
The Stars have done very well considering the injuries to Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen early on. Youngster James Neal has continued his pace from last year with 12 points in 11 games.
15. Edmonton Oilers (no movement)
Record: 6-4-1
Last Week: 2-2-0
Games This Week: (vs. COL, vs. DET, @ BOS)
Dustin Penner has awoken from his 2 year slumber and is finally earning his paycheque, which has only done wonders for the surging Oilers.
16. Columbus Blue Jackets (- 9 spots)
Record: 6-4-0
Last Week: 1-3-0
Games This Week: ( vs. PHX, vs. PIT, @ WSH)
After a great start, the Blue Jackets are beginning to falter. They allowed an awful 18 goals in the 3 games they lost last week.
17. Tampa Bay Lightning (+ 3 spots)
Record: 3-3-3
Last Week: 1-0-1
Games This Week: (vs. OTT, vs. NJD)
With Team Canada’s eyes watching, a centreman has been flourishing, but it’s not Vinny. It’s Steven Stamkos, 7 goals in 9 games.
18. Boston Bruins (+ 3 spots)
Record: 5-4-1
Last Week: 2-0-1
Games This Week: (vs. NJD, vs. EDM, @ NYR)
The B’s are riddled with injuries to their top players and are hoping their young guns fill in. Expect the losses to pile up.
19. Montreal Canadiens (+ 6 spots)
Record: 5-5-0
Last Week: 3-0-0
Games This Week: (vs. NYI, @ PIT, @ CHI, vs. TOR)
The Habs had a solid week, clawing their way back to .500 in dramatic fashion with an OT win over the Rangers.
20. Vancouver Canucks (+ 2 spots)
Record: 6-5-0
Last Week: 3-1-0
Games This Week: (vs. DET, @ LA, @ ANA, vs. COL)
Roberto Luongo seems to be back in fine form after a terrible start. The Canucks are also adapting well without the services of one of the beloved Swedish Twins.
BOTTOM 10
21. Detroit Red Wings (- 5 spots)
Record: 3-4-2
Last Week: 0-1-1
Games This Week: (@ VAN, @ EDM, @ CAL)
If anyone is worried that the Wings may finally be slowing down, consider the 06-07 season: Wings started 3-4-1, ended up wih 113 points.
22. Atlanta Thrashers (- 8 spots)
Record: 4-3-1
Last Week: 0-2-1
Games This Week: (vs. WSH, @ OTT)
While the Thrashers have fallen back to earth, Ilya Kovalchuk is still burning up the scoresheet with 9 goals in 8 games.
23. St. Louis Blues (- 4 spots)
Record: 4-4-1
Last Week: 1-2-0
Games This Week: (@ CAR, vs. PHX, vs. FLA)
The veterans are carrying the team as the youth have disappointed greatly. Oshie, Perron, and Berglund have not played well enough for this team to make a return trip to the playoffs.
24. Anaheim Ducks (- 6 spots)
Record: 3-5-1
Last Week: 0-2-0
Games This Week: (vs. TOR, vs. VAN, @ PHX)
Losing 3 straight has sent the Ducks to the basement of the surprising Pacific decision. After scoring 31 last year, Bobby Ryan only has 1 goal in 9 games this year.
25. Nashville Predators (+ 3 spots)
Record: 3-6-1
Last Week: 1-2-0
Games This Week: (@ MIN, vs. CHI, vs. DAL)
The youth movement is in full swing in Nashville with future stars Cody Franson, Colin Wilson and Patric Hornqvist, but it hasn’t helped the results.
26. Minnesota Wild (+ 3 spots)
Record: 3-7-0
Last Week: 2-1-0
Games This Week: (@ CHI, vs. NSH, vs. NYR, @ PIT)
The Wild continue to sit in the cellar of the Northwest but will get a boost with the return of energy player Cal Clutterbuck from the injured reserve.
27. Carolina Hurricanes (- 3 spots)
Record: 2-5-3
Last Week: 0-1-2
Games This Week: (vs. STL, @ PHI, vs. SJS)
Maurice’s Boys have been struggling, losing to the lowly Wild and handing the Isles their first win. Eric Staal hasn’t helped, with only 4 points in 10 games.
28. New York Islanders (- 1 spot)
Record: 1-4-4
Last Week: 1-1-1
Games This Week: (@ MTL, vs. NYR, @ WSH, vs. BUF)
The good news for the Islanders: They’re not as bad as the Leafs. The bad news: They only have 1 win in 9 games.
29. Florida Panthers (- 3 spots)
Record: 2-6-1
Last Week: 0-2-1
Games This Week: (vs. OTT, @ DAL, @ STL)
The Cats continue to wallow in their poor defensive play and sit at the bottom of the Southeast. Stars Nathan Horton and David Booth have been ghosts with only 3 points a piece.
30. Toronto Maple Leafs (no movement)
Record: 0-7-1
Last Week: 0-1-0
Games This Week: (@ ANA, @ DAL, @ BUF, @ MTL)
The hapless Leafs are still without a win and we’re almost in November. Leafs Nation can’t wait for Kessel to suit up soon enough.
