NHL Western Conference Power Rankings

Record: 1-3-0
PTS: 2
GF: 10 GA: 15

They brought in Martin Havlat, formerly of Chicago, to spark their offense. So far, it hasn't worked; the Wild have been far from their team name, scoring 10 goals through four games.

Record: 2-2-1
PTS: 5
GF: 13 GA: 14

They liked what they saw from Jonas Hiller last year, but the offense just hasn't been there. The Ducks are averaging under three goals per contest.

Record: 2-2-0
PTS: 4
GF: 7 GA: 11

Dan Ellis is trying, he really is. But when your offense is supporting you with less than two goals per night, it's really hard for a goalie to get wins. The fact that they're .500 is a miracle, considering their offense so far.

Record: 1-0-3
PTS: 5
GF: 14 GA: 14

They've lost three in a row in overtime, which is a rough way to put a season together out of the gates. And, from the looks of this photo, they haven't won fights on the ice, either.

Record: 2-3-0
PTS: 4
GF: 17 GA: 17

They're going to be without both Daniel Sedin and Sami Salo for between four and six weeks, and their defense is already being abused to the tune of more than four goals per game. It's going to be a rough month without two good veterans.

Record: 2-3-0
PTS: 4
GF: 14 GA: 19

The loss of Johan Franzen, when placed into the context of the reigning Western Conference champions already trying to mitigate the departures of Tomas Kopecky, Jiri Hudler, and Marian Hossa, is a tough pill to swallow.

With the exception of the game against Chicago, Chris Osgood has been human this year, allowing more than four goals per game.

Record: 2-2-0
PTS: 4
GF: 12 GA: 12

Again, another Western Conference team that had fair expectations coming into the season that has struggled to find their offense. Their defense has held up their end of the bargain, and the Blues are an across-the-board .500 team.

Record: 3-2-0
PTS: 6
GF: 11 GA: 7

They're barely scoring two goals per game, but they've only allowed seven in five games. Amazingly ironic that the best offensive player in the history of the game leaves the bench just weeks before the season starts and the Coyotes become a defensive monster.

Record: 3-2-1
PTS: 7
GF: 20 GA: 18

The addition of Dany Heatley—no matter what his former fans think—has helped the Sharks offense. They're scratching by at three goals allowed per game and just 3.6 goals scored per game, but at the end of the day it's all about accumulating points, which they're doing well.

Record: 4-2-1
PTS: 9
GF: 25 GA: 25

They were climbing the power rankings quickly until a devastating last 48 hours, when they suffered a biblical loss to Chicago and then to Columbus. They've played the most games in the Western Conference, and will need to get over the emotional scars from the Blackhawks game quickly after dropping consecutive games.

Record: 3-1-1
PTS: 7
GF: 20 G: 15

The Oilers are scoring one full goal per game more than they're allowing, a trend that certainly looks strong moving forward.

Record: 4-1-0
PTS: 8
GF: 14 GA: 11

They're off to a strong start behind captain Rick Nash, but they aren't scoring three goals per game. Their offense will need to pick up to maintain their perch near the top of the conference.

Record: 4-1-0
PTS: 8
GF: 19 GA: 15

Their offense is getting them almost four goals per game, and they're holding opponents to just three. They rank third, though, because their PK is at only 63 percent. That will need to improve to stay near the top in the Western Conference.

Record: 4-1-1
PTS: 9
GF: 21 GA: 13

Craig Anderson has been solid in the net, allowing just over two goals per game while the offense is giving him more than 3.5 goals per game of support. Continuing their hot start could get them home-ice advantage to start the playoffs.

Record: 3-1-1
PTS: 7
GF: 19 GA: 15

They've handled Colorado and Calgary in back-to-back thrillers to open their home schedule after a tough loss in Detroit's home opener. Their five-goal comeback against Calgary showed moxie beyond the years of young leaders Patrick Kane (20) and Jonathan Toews (21).

If they can get even average goaltending—and add Marian Hossa to the offense in November—they could be a force into May.