Weekly Power Play: Sharks reclaim top spot, Flyers rise

Mark ButerbaughNov 10, 2009

pgrid The Power Grid Play, yes we are changing it’s name, is up for our second week. This is not a full NHL ranking, but what we believe are the Top 15. So here you go . . .

1st: San Jose Sharks: The Sharks are the hottest team in the NHL. In their last 7 games, they are 6-0-1. The Sharks even took the Stanley Cup Champ Pittsburgh Penguins to task, shutting them out over the weekend 5-0. Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley each have 11 goals while Joe Thornton assists them with 18 helpers. What an offense. Sharks move into first and dispose of Pittsburgh. Patrick Maleau leads the Sharks with 11 goals and 11 assists. ( +2 )

2nd: Washington Capitals: The Caps have been skating the past three games without Great 8. Two or three years ago, that would have been crippling. However, the Caps offense has plenty of fire power aside from Ovechkin, ask Florida. During Ovie’s absence, the Caps have have gone 2-1-1. The Caps swept Florida over the weekend in back to back, home and away games, outscoring the Panthers 11-2. Previously, the Panthers started heating up before the Caps began their cool down. Tomas Fleischmann and Brooks Laich have generated plenty of offense for the Caps. They have also gotten 3 points in 3 games from Mathieu Perreault, their 2006 6th round pick making his NHL debut. Caps have been missing Ovie, Mike Green and D Jeff Schultz, but piled up weekend wins. Ovechkin could make his return this coming weekend. Caps wins have put them in an Eastern Conference tie with Pittsburgh at 24 points. Alex Ovechkin leads the Caps with 14 goals and 9 assists. ( +2 )

3rd: Colorado Avalanche: Colorado has 26 points and is tied with San Jose for first in thr WC. The Avalanche have lost 3 of their last 5. The penalty kill unit has been the difference. It was once the second ranked in the NHL, but has been getting bit the last four games and with it come losses. Even worse for the Avs, while they have struggled lately, their division rival Calgary Flames have own three in a row and have drawn within 5 points. Will the Avs fall continue? Paul Stastsny leads the Avs with 4 goals and 10 assists. ( -1 ) [Read more →]

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