The formula for this power ranking system involves total team points, total goals scored, total goals allowed as well as additional points for away wins within the week. Tie-breaking ranking totals are decided on total wins first, then total goals scored (if tied then away team wins/goals scored within the week gets the advantage).
1. N.Y Rangers (4-1-0) +16
Last week: 12
The Rangers went 3-0-0 in week two. Two wins including road wins @ New Jersey and Washington.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (4-1-0) +13
Last week: 7
Pittsburgh went undefeated this week highlighted by a huge win in Philadelphia.
3. Calgary Flames (4-1-0) +11
Last week: 6
Losing at home to Dallas 5-2 was the first loss for the Flames this season.
4. Philadelphia Flyers (3-1-1) +11
Last week: 1
Philly had a rough week losing at home to rival Pittsburgh, then blowing a late lead and losing to Anaheim the next day.
5. San Jose Sharks (3-2-0) +10
Last week: 14
The Sharks are moving up on the strength of their deadly one-two-punch of Dany Heatley and Joe Thornton.
6. L.A. Kings (3-1-0) +10
Last week: 25
The surprise Kings have not dropped points since opening night.
7. Columbus Blue Jackets (3-1-0) +10
Last week: 15
Columbus knew it would be tough starting three of their first four games on the road, but they have weathered the storm quite nicely.
8. Anaheim Ducks (2-2-1) +9
Last week: 28
Two big road wins this week against the likes of high quality opponents Philly and Boston.
9. Colorado Avalanche (2-1-1) +9
Last week: 3
Colorado has come back down to earth a little, but they have still been highly competitive in the games they’ve played in.
10. Washington Capitals (2-2-1) +8
Last week: 2
What has happened to to the Caps? Dropping points in every game since their hot start in week one.
11. Chicago Blackhawks (2-1-1) +8
Last week: 8
Chicago have yet to find their groove, most notably Jonathan Toews who has one point in his first four games.
12. Atlanta Thrashers (2-1-0) +8
Last week: 10
After a big win in St. Louis, the Thrashers got handled pretty well in Ottawa in their following game.
13. Phoenix Coyotes (2-2-0) +8
Last week: 9
Phoenix is second in the league in goals against, but only fourth in goals scored.
14. Ottawa Senators (3-1-0) +7
Last week: 26
Ottawa has played well, but their lackluster offense will catch up with them once they play opponents of higher quality.
15. Buffalo Sabres (2-0-1) +7
Last week: 18
If you’re wondering why a team without any regulation-time losses is ranked 15th, just look at how many goals they have scored (four).
16. Dallas Stars (1-0-3) +6
Last week: 17
Dallas has already dropped a total of three points in the overtime/shootout.
17. Edmonton Oilers (2-1-1) +5
Last week: 20
The Oilers are both winning and losing close games. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing.
18. Nashville Predators (2-1-0) +5
Last week: 13
Similar to Buffalo, Nashville can’t score goals, but the good things is, they are not allowing many. Their luck won’t last forever.
19. St. Louis Blues (2-2-0) +4
Last week: 4
After St. Louis’ hot start, they have dropped two games in a row, both at home.
20. N.J. Devils (2-2-0) +4
Last week: 27
New Jersey completed a Florida sweep this week after an 0-2-0 start.
21. Vancouver Canucks (2-3-0) +3
Last week: 29
Good news is the Canucks have won two in a row after a terrible start. Bad news is Daniel Sedin will be out for at least one month.
22. Detroit Red Wings (2-2-0) +3
Last week: 23
Detroit got back on track this week, especially with a big against Washington. How the Wings will cope from here on out without goal scoring winger Johan Franzen is a big mystery.
23. Boston Bruins (2-2-0) +2
Last week: 11
Boston is a far-cry from the team that started off like gang-busters last season.
24. Tampa Bay Lightning (1-1-2) +2
Last week: 24
Tampa finally got their first win this week with the help of Ryan Malone’s hat-trick.
25. Carolina Hurricanes (2-3-0) 0
Last week: 30
Carolina has looked either really bad or really good. They need to find more consistency.
26. N.Y Islanders (0-0-3) 0
Last week: 16
The highlight of the Isles this week was their 3-0 lead on the Bruins with only eight minutes away from the end of regulation. Their lowlight was when they allowed the Bruins to storm back and win in a shootout.
27. Montreal Canadiens (2-3-0) -2
Last week: 5
Talk about hitting a wall. Montreal went o-3-0 on their Northwest road-trip this week.
28. Minnesota Wild (1-3-0) -3
Last week: 21
Minnesota has dropped three games in-a-row this week. At least now they are fun to watch while they are doing so.
29. Toronto Maple Leafs (0-3-1) -6
Last week: 22
Maybe Brian Burke should have concentrated on adding more skill instead of more toughness this off-season.
30. Florida Panthers (1-3-0) -7
Last week: 19
Outside of Florida’s opening-day win against Chicago, they have looked like an AHL team.
Biggest increase in rank: Anaheim Ducks (20 spots)
Biggest decrease in rank: Montreal Canadiens (22 spots)
