NHL Power Rankings: Nashville and Detroit Lead the West

The Central Division continues to be the NHL's toughest division. Nashville, Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis could all be in the postseason come April.

Two fifth-round picks from the 2003 draft, Brad Richardson and Lee Stempniak netted hat tricks. The 2003 draft class remains one of the finest in NHL history.

Calgary's Rene Bourque decided he might try his hand at some magic as well. The undrafted winger netted three in a blowout win over Columbus.

Rick Rypien picked a fight...with a fan in Minnesota.

15. Edmonton Oilers

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ST PAUL, MN - OCTOBER 14: Tom Gilbert #77 of the Edmonton Oilers during their game against the Minnesota Wild on October 14, 2010 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien /Getty Images)

Last Week: 6

Record: 2-4-0 (4 pts)

The Oilers have fallen back to the Western Conference cellar by losing their last four games.

Three games on the road after being blown out in front of their home crowd by the Sharks is not what this team needs to get back on track.

14. Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 21: Lee Stempniak #22 of the Phoenix Coyotes celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring his third goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the thrid period of the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on October 21, 2010 in Glend

Last Week: 12

Record: 2-2-2 (6 pts)

Longtime Coyote captain and former Winnipeg Jet, Shane Doan was suspended three games for an illegal hit. His actions unfortunately overshadowed Lee Stempniak's hat trick in the team's win over Los Angeles.

The team also took Carolina to OT and may be a sleeper once again this year.

13. Anaheim Ducks

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 21: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on October 21, 2010 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Anaheim defeated the Flyers 3-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Last Week: 15

Record: 3-5-1 (7 pts)

The Ducks seem to have turned it around. Without Hiller in net the team pulled off a 3-2 win in Philly.

Ryan Getzlaf has found his groove. His 11 points put him among the best in the league.

12. Minnesota Wild

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ST PAUL, MN - OCTOBER 14: Matt Cullen #7 of the Minnesota Wild during warmups prior to their game against the Edmonton Oilers on October 14, 2010 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien /Getty Images)

Last Week: 13

Record: 3-3-1 (7 pts)

Surprisingly, the Wild have the best power-play in the NHL, Minnesota native Matt Cullen has started out the year strong, and the team blew out the Canucks 6-2.

Unfortunately, reality set in when Vancouver tossed Minnesota 5-1 north of the border. Fans can only guess which Wild team will show up in Monday's nationally televised game against the Kings.

11. Columbus Blue Jackets

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 20: Steve Mason #1 of the Columbus Blue Jackets stops a shot by Ryan Carter #20 of the Anaheim Ducks on October 20, 2010 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus won the game 3-1. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Last Week: 11

Record: 4-3-0 (8 pts)

Goaltender Steve Mason is a major reason why the Jackets are hanging around in the Central Division.

The team is the in bottom half of the league in goals per game, goals against, power-play and penalty kill but still were able to pull off a win in Chicago on Saturday.

10. San Jose Sharks

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SAN JOSE, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Douglas Murray #3, Joe Pavelski #8, Patrick Marleau #12, and Dany Heatley #15 of the San Jose Sharks stop for the national anthem before a preseason split-squad game against the Phoenix Coyotes at HP Pavilion on September 25,

Last Week: 9

Record: 3-3-1 (7 pts)

The Sharks are in the league's top five in goals per game and power-play percentage but have been irresponsible in their own end and are spinning their wheels because of it.

In order to wrestle the Pacific Division away from Dallas and Los Angeles, the Sharks will have to commit to playing well in their own end.

9. Vancouver Canucks

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 15: Henrik Sedin #33 and Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks step on to the ice for warm up against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center on October 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Ima

Last Week: 10

Record: 3-3-2 (8 pts)

The Sedin brothers are looking solid and the 'Nucks appear to be turning things around, but Rick Rypien's six-game suspension for assaulting a fan in Minnesota looms over the team.

Vancouver plays Colorado on Tuesday and then has the rest of the month off. Perhaps that will allow them to regroup and become the contender they were last year.

8. Colorado Avalanche

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Chris Sewart #25 of the Colorado Avalanche congratulates John-Michael Liles #4 on his first period goal against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 18, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Imag

Last Week: 4

Record: 4-4-0 (8 pts)

John-Michael Liles is setting everyone up and Colorado's offense is clicking.

If the Avs can be more responsible in their own zone, they may emerge as the team to beat in the Northwest.

7. Dallas Stars

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 14: Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars takes the puck in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings on October 14, 2010 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Last Week: 2

Record: 5-2-0 (10 pts)

Dallas' special teams are atrocious, but the team does well on even strength. The team has four of the NHL's five plus-minus leaders.

The Stars' game against the Kings in Dallas on Thursday will be an early indication of who's who in the Pacific Division.

6. St. Louis Blues

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 22: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks to get the puck past Jaroslav Halak #41 of the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on October 22, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Last Week: 3

Record: 4-1-2 (10 pts)

The Blues are second in the league in goals against in big part to the play of Jaroslav Halak.

St. Louis has a solid young core and, if they can find a way to score on a consistent basis—as David Perron did in back-to-back games with Chicago—they may emerge as a contender in the Central Division.

5. Calgary Flames

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 19: (L-R) Jay Bouwmeester #4, Brendan Morrison, Rene Bourque, and Ian White #3 of the Calgary Flames celebrate defeating the Nashville Predators in overtime on October 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon

Last Week: 14

Record: 5-3-0 (10 pts)

All of a sudden the veteran Calgary Flames have joined the Avs as the team to beat in the Northwest.

Rene Bourque found the twine three times against Columbus, and Calgary outscored its opponents 10-2 in their last two contests.

4. Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 18: Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his seocnd goal in the 3rd period against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on October 18, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Blues 3-2 in overtime. (Ph

Last Week: 8

Record: 5-4-1 (11 pts)

Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp have looked solid so far, both have 11 points apiece, but losses to division-rivals St. Louis and Columbus have overshadowed their efforts.

The Hawks have plenty of time to regroup before a big game in LA on Wednesday.

3. Los Angeles Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 15: Brad Richardson #15 of the Los Angeles Kings warms up against the Vancouver Canucks at the Staples Center on October 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Last Week: 7

Record: 5-2-0 (10 pts)

Brad Richardson netted a hat trick against Colorado, his former employer, on Saturday, and the Kings look ready to compete for a Pacific Division title.

Next week is going to be tough for the Kings as three road games, including Monday's nationally-televised contest, are slated for LA.

2. Detroit Red Wings

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 16: Henrik Zetterberg #40 of the Detroit Red Wings skates with the puck during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on October16, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Red Wings defeated the Coyotes 2-1 in overtim

Last Week: 5

Record: 5-1-1 (11 pts)

The Wings are among the NHL's top 10 in goals per game, goals against, powerplay and penalty kill. Their balance and depth allow them to compete with any team in the NHL.

A showdown with Nashville in the Joe the day before Halloween will be an early indicator that will determine who's the best in the Central early in the season.

1. Nashville Predators

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 07: Head coach Barry Trotz of the Nashville Predators during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on April 7, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Predators 5-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Ge

Last Week: 1

Record: 5-0-3 (13 pts)

The Predators have yet to lose in regulation and toppled Dallas and Tampa Bay—two teams that have started the season out well, in their last two contests.

Nashville's success is really a testament to management and coaching in the Music City. They have no money, lost superstar defensemen Dan Hamhuis in the offseason and play in the NHL's toughest division and continue to win regardless of the circumstances around them.