After a few weeks of play, a couple of teams are making noise early in the season. The New York Islanders and Nashville Predators lead their respective divisions, while the favorites look to make up ground in the weeks to come. Corey Perry leads the league in goals (9), while teammate Frederik Anderson holds the lead for most wins (6).
Into the rankings we go… (last week)
The hottest team in the NHL continues to roll, with a 6 game winning streak. Four road games this week will be the challenge for Quick and co. They may lose 3/4 but lock in the Kings -1.5 Sunday.
Tue/@Philadelphia, Thur/@Pittsburgh, Fri/@Detroit, Sun/@Carolina
Boasting the best record in the East is no easy task. Montreal is perfect at home (4-0-0), but in this four game week 3/4 will be on the road. The Canadians only have one loss on the year, so it’ll be interesting how Carey Price plays on the road this week.
Mon/@Edmonton, Tue/@Calgary, Thur/@Vancouver, Sun/Calgary
Frederik Andersen has been playing out of this world to start the season, will this four game road trip this week be a reality check?
Tue/@Chicago, Thur/@St. Louis, Fri/@Dallas, Sun/@Colorado
Pekka Rinne’s health has been the question all year. If he stays healthy expect the Predators to be in the race for the Central all year. Going 4-1-1 at home has had Bridgestone Arena rocking to start the season.
Wed/@Edmonton, Fri/@Calagary, Sun/@Vancouver
The darlings of the Metro Divison this year, NY has been playing lights out hockey. 3-1-0 at home and on the road will keep you at the top to start the season. It helps when a guy like Brock Nelson gets 10 points in 8 games.
Tue/Winnipeg, Thurs/Colorado, Sat/@San Jose
It’s been a rough week for the Hawks since Corey Crawford went down, losing a pair of division games in the middle of the week. Scott Darling sure looked good Sunday night in his NHL debut 2-1 win.
Tue/Anaheim, Thur/@Ottawa, Sat/@Toronto, Sun/Winnipeg
Lose 4 straight, one against the Sabres, then beat the Ducks on Sunday. I haven’t given up hope on the Sharks, but they can’t be pulling stunts like this all season.
Tue/@Colorado, Thur/@Colorado, Sat/NY Islanders
Ryan Miller is 5-1 to start the year, if the Sedins keep it up there’s nothing but good things on the horizon. I’m sure Miller loved his win in STL last week.
Tue/@Dallas, Thur/Anaheim, Sat/Colorado
Can’t get a read on this team, but this week boasts a chance go go 3-0. In Ovi I trust.
Wed/Detroit, Sat/@Tampa Bay, Sun/Arizona
If Calgary wants to stay competitive in the west they’ll have to win at home. 1-2-1 won’t cut it at the Saddle Dome.
Tue/Montreal, Fri/Nashville, Sun/@Montreal
Losing Victor Headman hurts, but having your next 4 games at home should help the burn. It also helps that Arizona and Philly come to town.
Tue/Arizona, Thur/Philadelphia, Sat/Washington
In their first 8 games the Wings have gotten points in 6 of them. Babcock has them playing some solid hockey in Hockey Town.
Wed/@Washington, Fri/Los Angeles, Sun/@Buffalo
No Zdeno Chara for 4-6 weeks. It’ll be a challenging few weeks for the B’s. I like them every game this week though.
Tue/Minnesota, Thur/@Buffalo, Sat/Ottawa
4-2-1 under rookie coach Mike Johnston. With 3 home games this week, is this when they catch the Islanders?
Tue/New Jersey, Thur/Los Angeles, Sat/Buffalo
They can score and give up goals just as fast. Fix the defense and good things will come Lindy.
Tue/St. Louis, Fri/Anaheim, Sat/@Minnesota
4-1 on the road and 4-2-2 overall. I’m not sold yet, but the Devils are on the rise. It helps to have a favorable schedule this week.
Tue/@Pittsburgh, Thur/Winnipeg, Sat/Columbus
The league leaders in goal differential (+13) are in trouble this week.
Mon/@NY Rangers, Tue/@Boston, Thur/San Jose, Sat/Dallas
The opposite of Dallas. Fix the offense and good things will happen.
Tue/@Columbus, Thur/Chicago, Sat/@Boston
The Blues can’t seem to get on track offensively, they have just 16 goals in seven games.
Tue/@Dallas, Thur/Anaheim, Sat/Colorado
Not a solid weekend for the Blue Jacket. Columbus was outscored 9-3 against the SoCal teams.
Tue/Ottawa, Fri/Toronto, Sat/@New Jersey
Playing .500 hockey is good… Just not good enough to make noise in power rankings.
Mon/Minnesota, Sat/Winnipeg
Semyon Varlamov is back and has some work to do to get the Av’s back in the hunt for the Central division.
Tue/San Jose, Thur/NY Islanders, Sat/@St. Louis, Sun/Anaheim
The Leafs are testing their fan base early this year going 1-4 at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto will have to make a big change soon. They can start to right the ship winning their two home games this week.
Tue/Buffalo, Fri/@Columbus, Sat/Chicago
Until they upgrade the goalie position, they’ll bottom feed all season. Steve Mason is no #1.
Tue/Los Angeles, Thur/@Tampa Bay, Sat/@Florida
Four road games this week will have the Coyotes back in the Connor McDavid hunt by Sunday.
Tue/@Tampa Bay, Thur/@Florida, Sat/@Carolina, Sun/@Washington
8.5% chance at drafting Connor McDavid.
Tue/@NY Islanders, Thur/@New Jersey, Sat/@NY Rangers, Sun/@Chicago
9.5% chance at drafting Connor McDavid.
Thur/Arizona, Sat/Philadelphia
11.5% chance at drafting Connor McDavid.
Mon/Montreal, Wed/Nashville, Sat/Vancouver
11.5% chance at drafting Connor McDavid.
Tue/@Toronto, Thur/Boston, Sat/@Pittsburgh, Sun/Detroit
Do the ‘Canes even try?
20% chance at drafting Connor McDavid.
Tue/@Vancouver, Sat/Arizona, Sun/Los Angeles