(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
There have been plenty of big stories already to start the 2009-2010 NHL season.
Up-and-coming surprise teams such as the Avs, Oilers, Sabres, and Coyotes are all sitting unexpectedly among the top of the league standings, while other perennial powerhouses like the Bruins, Red Wings, Canucks, Ducks, and Hurricanes are all struggling through a slow first month.
But the perhaps the biggest story? The shootout.
The controversial breakaway competition used to finish games after overtime has been seeing a lot of usage recently, and its been bringing complaints to the fullest about this unusual way to determine who wins a game.
Anyway, the power rankings are going into overtime as well, because with these jumbled-up standings, its impossible to determine anything at first glance!
Well, almost anything. I think we know where the Penguins are...
So, for those of you who like everything straightforward and proportional, here's the power rankings formula that I use, slightly modified from last week:
- 30% Projected Results
- 60% Success this season (so far)
- 10% intangibles/miscellaneous (a.k.a. Marc Savard and Milan Lucic)
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
No question here. The defending Stanley Cup champs are arguably looking even better than last year, and they are undefeated in their last seven as well as the 5-0 road record.
They haven't been getting a lot of attention, but the Flames have won two back-to-back games and are second in the West standings right now.
At first they were hot, then they got cold, and now the Caps are hot again with three straight wins. The team may be hard to figure out, but that top line sure isn't.
4. Buffalo Sabres
Even with just seven games played, the Sabres have only lost once in regulation (5-1-1) and Ryan Miller is looking very sharp. The Sabres may finally have pulled it together after a disappointing season last year.
The perfect start has faded a bit, but they are still 7-3. However, this is a team that looked poised to be hard struck by injuries.
6. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers have started well after a successful offseason and are also winners of three straight. Khahibulin is apparently getting the job done and the offense is really picking up, too.
The 'Hawks have dropped back-to-back contests, but the preseason Western Conference champion favorite has looked pretty good so far this year. Patrick Sharp has had a tremendous October as well.
Just a mediocre four wins in seven games played, but the Flyers have looked solid and their main question to begin the season, Ray Emery, has been quite fine so far.
We all expect the Avs to fall back down to earth soon, but Colorado just keeps on winning. They have managed to put together quite a group of top nine forwards, and the special teams play is clicking as well. However, I still have trouble believing they are really as good as their record sounds.
10. Ottawa Senators
The Sens have looked good on the scoresheet so far, fitting nicely into the vision I had of them when I called them asmy preseason 'Eastern Conference dark horse'. The main key to their 5-2-1 record: for once, Ottawa is winning close games.
I had a feeling the Devils could be a real bust this season, but so far they've looked decent. However, they haven't looked that good at home (just 1-3), and that's not a trait that will carry you far into the postseason.
The Jackets have cooled off a bit since last week, but the top line is just too good for these Jackets not to finish as a top-six seed. Add in another sensational year from a more-experienced Steve Mason, and Columbus could be dangerous.
13. Detroit Red Wings
They've begun to come together after a very forgettable first two weeks, but the Red Wings still have lots of work to do if they want to have a chance at revenging their game seven Cup defeat.
14. Phoenix Coyotes
It would have been a laughable concept to think that they Coyotes would be have the sixth-best record in the NHL at the end of October, but its no longer a fantasy. The defense has been stellar, but I am still looking for this team to start getting the offense really going, too.
15. San Jose Sharks
Its been an average first ten games for the Sharks, but Heatley is fitting in very well and it doesn't take a genius to guess that San Jose will be among the top finishers by March. We've just got to see if they can come together as a team and take that next step.
They started hot, imploded, and now they've won two straight again. Weird team to predict..
Anyhow, Ryan Smyth has been great and the Kings have looked really great at home.
17. Vancouver Canucks
I thought that this team might have the talent to go really far this season, but, after a such a so-so first month, I'm not so sure anymore. If Luongo can take this team on his back again, they could still make an impact in the Western Conference later in the season.
It seems as if the Thrashers may finally have gotten the chemistry they need to take advantage of their plentiful up-and-coming young stars.
Still, I wouldn't get too excited with this goalie group supporting the back end.
19. St. Louis Blues
The best they looked was when they were in Europe to start the season, not much of an accomplishment for a team in America.
Still, they Blues are still at .500 and they have the depth to pull themselves up from a boring October.
20. Boston Bruins
The one way to describe October for the Bruins is definitely not boring, but it hasn't been that good, either.
Injuries are really hurting this team, and Tim Thomas needs to improve and help them limp their way until the full roster hopefully returns.
21. Dallas Stars
The Stars are getting points from it, but they just don't seem good enough to ever really pull away from their opponent. However, if they can start winning competitive games, Dallas could sneak their way into the playoff picture by the new year.
22. Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks have dropped their past two and have won just three of eight so far. This team needs to start converting on places other than the first line if they want to live up to their soaring preseason hype.
After 2-5, two back-to-back victories helps, but it still doesn't but the Habs where they want to be.
A big winning run might manage to get some life back in Montreal, though, and they have the support and talent to do it.
So far, the 'Canes have kept up with opponents, but they keep not having quite enough to win the game.
If the powerplay and discipline improves, though, the 'Canes could be right back where they want to be in a month.
Hedman and Stamkos are doing great, but where is that valuable top line production? Tanguay, Lecavalier, and St. Louis need to turn into a great leadership group and start scoring more goals if Tampa is going to compete with such an experience bottom nine.
Not much to say about the Preds besides the dreary, slow start that was pretty much expected. I'm just not seeing much from Nashville right now.
27. Florida Panthers
Vokoun has not been the All-Star goaltender he was expected to be, and nor has the Panthers.
28. Minnesota Wild
They were certainly hoping for more than a 2-7-0 record to start the year, but there's still tons of time to turn it around before even the one-third mark. A win against struggling Carolina tonight would be a big boost for the Wild.
It is a disgrace to the NHL to have such a bad team as the Islanders not in last place...
...but, then again, talk about disgraces...
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