NHL Power Rankings: Pens, Sharks, Caps, and Sabres Keep On Winning

The NHL is currently a league with a very large portion of bottom-feeders.

But they've got a load of front runners crowding the top, as well.

Expected dynasties such as the Penguins, Sharks, Capitals, Blackhawks, Devils, and Flyers are sitting pretty in the "W" column, but they have some surprising opponents up at the top of the standings as well.

Several up-and-coming Western squads have made runs at the top so far in October, including the young Avs, Kings, and Coyotes.

Some teams also might start to appear in strange places based on their talent, like the Ducks, Wild, and Hurricanes.

Anyways, it is time for another edition of the NHL Power Rankings. The system has been simplified to as follows:

Five percent is based on projections.

Ten percent is based on last season's success.

Eighty-five percent is based on this season's success.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins (22 pts)

The Penguins are hardly any different than the dominant team we saw run through the playoffs last year, and if there's a difference, it's for the better. The Penguins have still yet to lose on the road, and they've been good in Pittsburgh, too.

2. San Jose Sharks (21 pts)

The Sharks are playing the best hockey of anyone right now, having won five straight including a 5-1 trashing in Carolina on Sunday. The lower lines have really started to settle in and find prominent places in the scoring.

3. Chicago Blackhawks (17 pts)

The 'Hawks have won seven of their last 10 after a so-so first week and are have picked up 13 points in nine home games.

4. Buffalo Sabres (17 pts)

The Sabres have possibly been the most-overlooked team in the league so far this October, and they've quietly been putting up win after win. The defense has been stellar and Ryan Miller has been sensational in goal. Because of that, the offense to get by on average performances.

Watch out for the Sabres. Buffalo is back.

5. Washington Capitals (20 pts)

Does Ovechkin's injury hurt the Capitals? Probably...

Can they win without him? Certainly.

6. New York Rangers (19 pts)

The Rangers have cooled off a bit since a hot-off-the-grill start, but they've been very good in the Garden and are getting solid performances throughout the lineup.

7. Colorado Avalanche (22 pts)

The up-and-coming Avs are unbeaten in four home games and have an emerging star in rookie Ryan O'Reilly, who has 11 points this season and boasts a plus-10 plus-minus as well.

8. New Jersey Devils (16 pts)

The Devils need to start getting more consistent and getting wins at home (they are 1-4 there compared to 7-0 travelling) if they want to make it farther than the first round, like last year.

9. Los Angeles Kings (20 pts)

The Kings have also been very good this season despite a lack of top-line stardom, although, at the very least, L.A. has been very streaky.

If they can start getting six points out of four games consistently, the Kings will be able to keep up with more veteran-led teams. If the streaks in both columns continue, Los Angeles may fall slowly back to mediocrity.

10. Calgary Flames (15 pts)

October? A success.

November? Maybe not.

11. Philadelphia Flyers (15 pts)

The Flyers did well this weekend picking up two wins, and have done well so far this season.

However, looking on the scoresheet, many of the top Flyers players have plus-minus ratings below negative five. That is not a good sign when they look for top-end scoring and leadership farther down the road from the same players.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets (15 pts)

The win against the Caps was terrific Monday night, and the Blue Jackets have looked pretty good so far this season.

Watch for Columbus to stay solid for most of the year and once again earn a mid-level playoff seed.

13. Vancouver Canucks (16 pts)

The Canucks have done well since a below-expectation performance in the first half-month of the season. Their nagging injuries are also starting to wear off.

Roberto Luongo can carry this team far, but it's up to him whether he's in the mood.

14. Dallas Stars (17 pts)

The Stars are getting points but not wins with all these overtime losses. Those don't help much when you get to April and beyond.

However, the Stars are definitely showing they can stay competitive with just about anyone, and they do have a mediocre six wins in 14 games.

15. Phoenix Coyotes (18 pts)

The Coyotes are hanging in the upper half with an inexperience roster and coaching staff, but this rank will probably fall back into the bottom third by the end of the next month.

16. Detroit Red Wings (13 pts)

The Red Wings had a slow October and haven't started the way they envisioned, but they've still got the keys to victory that they've shown the past several years.

17. Boston Bruins (13 pts)

Just like Detroit above, the Bruins have also limped through the first month of the NHL season, but their injuries are starting to wear off, as well. Offense from the top nine is crucial for success as Boston's season grows older.

18. Ottawa Senators (14 pts)

Back-to-back losses have brought Ottawa back into the center of the standings, but they are still easily in playoff contention, a place they should expect to be for most of this season.

19. Montreal Canadiens (14 pts)

It's a sheer drop from Ottawa at No. 18 to the Habs at No. 19, but a few more wins put together would go a long way in keeping the Canadien fans, and Canadiens players, happy.

20. Edmonton Oilers (15 pts)

The Oilers are 6-2-1 in Edmonton, but a dreadful 1-5 away from home. They are also below .500 in their last ten. They need to step it up a notch if they don't want to end up in the same position as last winter.

21. Nashville Predators (13 pts)

The recent four points has given the Preds some confidence, but they need to start getting those points a bit more consistently to contend for a battle-tested playoff spot.

22. St. Louis Blues (11 pts)

A 3-6-1 record in the last ten games isn't going to cut it. The Blues simply need to go back to Europe.

23. New York Islanders (15 pts)

Four consecutive wins has put the Islanders in a spot they really aren't used to: A Top-Ten rank in the conference.

We'll just have to see how long that'll last.

24. Atlanta Thrashers (11 pts)

They've been good away and bad at home, and have let a fast start slip away from them quickly. The Thrashers look like they might be pretenders again this season.

25. Anaheim Ducks (10 pts)

It's a surprising place for the Ducks, but they need to get it together to get back in the mix of things. Their goaltending also needs some improvement.

26. Minnesota Wild (10 pts)

The Wild are perfectly fine at home, but they are just too fragile to win on the road. They have one win in nine attempts away from Minnesota.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning (12 points)

The Lightning haven't yet lost in regulation at home, but heartbreak has struck too many times for this team recently.

As a bright spot, Victor Hedman has been exceptional. Just another reminder that Tampa is always dangerous come draft time.

28. Carolina Hurricanes (7 pts)

It's been pretty dreadful in Carolina recently, with no wins (despite three points) in their last nine and no wins on the road.

A win in Florida would go a long way in jump-starting the 'Canes, who appear in need of a refreshment.

29. Florida Panthers (9 pts)

The Hurricanes game tomorrow is crucial for the Panthers' hopes, as they've only won once this season at home and are in need of the three-game win streak on the line.

30. Toronto Maple Leafs (6 pts)

The Leafs are dead. Again.