JD's NHL Week One Power Rankings: Philadelphia Flyers Off to a Quick Start

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The following article is based upon my previous rankings, and Week One performances.

PR= Previous ranking

DIF= differential from previous ranking

30. New York Islanders (PR: 30, DIF: E)

29. Tampa Bay Lightning (PR: 20, DIF: -9)

28. Toronto Maple Leafs (PR: 23, DIF: -5)

27. New Jersey Devils (PR: 12, DIF: -15)

26. Buffalo Sabres (PR: 24, DIF: -2)

25. Carolina Hurricanes (PR: 11, DIF: -14)

24. Dallas Stars (PR: 16, DIF: -8)

23. Edmonton Oilers (PR: 21, DIF: -2)

22. Minnesota Wild (PR: 22, DIF: E)

21. Florida Panthers (PR: 27, DIF: +6)

20. Los Angeles Kings (PR: 17, DIF: -3)

19. Atlanta Thrashers (PR: 28, DIF: +9)

18. Nashville Predators (PR: 26, DIF: +6)

17. Vancouver Canucks (PR: 9, DIF: -8)

16. Montreal Canadiens (PR: 19, DIF: +3)

15. Ottawa Senators (PR: 18, DIF: +3)

14. New York Rangers (PR: 13, DIF: -1)

13. Anaheim Ducks (PR: 5, DIF: -8)

12. St. Louis Blues (PR: 14, DIF: +2)

11. Phoenix Coyotes (PR: 25, DIF: +14)

Top 10

10. Boston Bruins, 1-1-0, 2 pts (PR: 4, DIF: -6)

The Bruins got off to a decent start.  After a tough loss to the Caps, the Bruins responded very well, with a 7-2 pounding of the Hurricanes. The Bruins will likely continue to roll, and the one loss was likely just a blip on the radar.

9. Detroit Red Wings, 0-2-0, 0 pts (PR: 3, DIF: -6)

The Red Wings got off to a very slow start in Stockholm losing two at the hands of the Blues. The Wings, for the most part, outplayed the Blues, but came up short both times. This shouldn't be cause for concern for Wings fans: they will rebound in a big way.

8. San Jose Sharks, 1-2-0, 2 pts (PR: 10, DIF: +2)

It took a couple games, but Dany Heatley and the Sharks seemed to have caught their stride. The first line is starting to click, and that means plenty of offence in the future.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-1-0, 4 pts (PR: 6, DIF: -1)

The Penguins have scrounged together a couple of wins, but that's about it. They haven't got as much offence from the big guns as they would have liked at this point, but it will come eventually.

6. Columbus Blue Jackets, 2-0-0, 4 pts (PR: 15, DIF: +9)

The Blue Jackets are off to a flying start. A well rounded offence, and amazing goaltending from Steve Mason have resulted in a somewhat surprising start for the Jackets.

5. Colorado Avalanche, 2-0-0, 4 pts (PR: 29, DIF: +24)

The Avalanche is this year's pleasant surprise. It turns out a new goalie makes an absolute world of a difference. Craig Anderson has been outstanding, and rookie Matt Duchene looks like a seasoned veteran. A comeback season is in the cards for the Avs.

4. Chicago Blackhawks, 1-0-1, 3 pts (PR: 1, DIF: -3)

The Blackhawks dominated the Panthers in the opening two games, but still managed to lose one in the shootout. With Niemi recording a shutout in Game Two, there may just be an issue in goal for the Hawks that may be beneficial to the team.

3. Calgary Flames, 3-0-0, 6 pts (PR: 8, DIF: +5)

The Flames are getting offence from all four lines, and this has resulted in a perfect season thus far. If they can keep getting offence from all places then the Flames may just break their first round curse.

2. Washington Capitals, 2-0-1, 5 pts (PR: 7, DIF: +5)

The Capitals have been outstanding. Ovechkin has taken off with nine points already. The Capitals have four players in the Top Five in scoring, and have gotten 15 goals in three games. If this was a list of the most exciting teams in the league the Caps would be far and away the No. 1 team.

1. Philadelphia Flyers, 3-0-0, 6 pts (PR: 2, DIF: +1)

The big question mark coming into the season for the Flyers was the goaltending of Ray Emery. Well in his first game he recorded his first shutout of the year, and has been solid ever since. The Flyers have beaten some of the better teams in the league, and have so far asserted themselves as the best.

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