NHL Power Rankings
November 26, 2006
By
James Meyerriecks
Though we're still working on a way to set up some space on the site where we can incorporate our player rankings, we can still set up all of you puckheads with an opportunity to scout your player's opponents for favorable and unfavorable matchups with our first power rankings of the year.
Figures are calculated based on a handful of factors, including:
- Team win/loss performance to this point in the season
- Team win/loss performance over the past ten games
- Team goals for, against, and differential
- Recent injuries that may have an effect on their upcoming schedule
1. Buffalo Sabres (1) - Looking for offense? Sabres scored seven twice this week.
2. Anaheim Ducks (3) - Demolished the Sharks in a big matchup Tuesday, and took seven of eight possible points on the week.
3. San Jose Sharks (2) - Losing Jonathan Cheechoo for the next few weeks definitely hurts, but they've still won four out of five.
4. Nashville Predators (5) - Responded to a 1-0 shutout loss to the Stars Wednesday by putting up six in their last two games of the week. They'll miss Tomas Vokoun, but with this offense, they won't need him.
5. Dallas Stars (11) - Won all three games this week, including the 1-0 whitewash of one of the league's hottest offenses. Next up: a three game road trip that starts against the stingy Red Wings.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs (6) - Just like last year. The East's two best teams reside in the Northeast. They split four games, but put up sixteen goals in the process.
7. Edmonton Oilers (15) - Five game win streak has vaulted them to the top of the Northwest. They'll get a big test Tuesday when they host the Ducks in a rematch of last year's Western Conference Final.
8. Detroit Red Wings (4) - The offense continues to be offensive, as they've lost five in a row (three in OT) following their nine game win streak.
9. New York Islanders (12) - If you'd told me they'd crack the top fifteen at any point this year, I'd have been shocked. Alexei Yashin (28 points) has carried the offense, but he could miss the next few games with a bruised knee. They're rolling right now, with four wins in their last five.
10. Montreal Canadiens (9) - Habs won two of three this past week, including a brilliant 2-1 win over the Sabres Friday night.
11. Tampa Bay Lightning (17) - They started the week by getting blown out 7-2 against the Sabres, but redeemed themselves by winning their last three.
12. New York Rangers (13) - It was a big week for the Rangers, as they took five of six possible points against three legitimate contenders in the East (Carolina, Pittsburgh, Buffalo). The Czech Line is on fire.
13. Calgary Flames (10) - Dumped three out of four after watching their six-game win streak come to an end.
14. Atlanta Thrashers (18) - They love to beat up on the Southeast. The Thrashers are now 9-3-3 within their division and 5-4-1 against everyone else.
15. Carolina Hurricanes (7) - Struggled on their trip through New York (0-2-0, losing by a combined 8-2) before blowing out the Bruins Friday. They're home in Raleigh for the next three.
16. Ottawa Senators (22) - Had their four-game win streak snapped Sunday in Tampa. They've still won five out of seven, and their goal differential is sixth in the NHL despite their sub-.500 record.
17. Colorado Avalanche (20) - They're rolling behind the kids all of a sudden. Won four out of five, including wins over three legit playoff contenders.
18. New Jersey Devils (8) - They've been brilliant at home and pedestrian on the road, which certainly continued this week. New Jersey was outscored 9-3 as they went 0-3 on the first three games of their West Coast trip.
19. Pittsburgh Penguins (19) - They've clearly missed Sid the Kid over the past week, going 1-1-2 against an average schedule. Crosby was quoted as saying that he doesn't think his groin injury should keep him out much longer. Evgeni Malkin continues to roll in his absence.
20. Minnesota Wild (14) - Come back Gabby! After winning seven of eight with their superstar to start the year, the Wild have gone 6-8-1 without him, including 1-3-0 this past week.
21. Boston Bruins (21) - Split four games this past week. Marc Savard's on a tear, but hasn't he been on one since 2003-04?
22. Los Angeles Kings (24) - Frolov, Cammalleri, and Kopitar are rolling. If only they had another one or two solid contributors to go with them....
23. Washington Capitals (16) - 0-4-2 in their last six, but Alexander Ovechkin continues to score at a frantic pace!
24. Vancouver Canucks (23) - Lost two of three this week, getting outscored 10-1 in their two losses.
25. Chicago Blackhawks (25) - They were outscored 9-2 during their two-game trip through Alberta. Thankfully, that was their whole week.
26. Philadelphia Flyers (29) - They're still last in the East, but took five of eight possible points this past week. Antero Niittymaki seems to be finding his form.
27. Florida Panthers (26) - Lost eight of ten (two in OT) to be knocking on the cellar door (Donnie Darko reference? Woohoo!!!!!!!!) in the East.
28. Phoenix Coyotes (29) - Won two of three this week, including a big win over the Devils. They may end up kicking themselves come the draft lottery for beating the Blues, though....
29. St. Louis Blues (27) - Two solid road wins overshadowed by their home loss to Phoenix Saturday.
30. Columbus Blue Jackets (30) - Snapped their eight game losing streak with a 5-3 win over shorthanded Minnesota Saturday night. New coach Ken Hitchcock will have a heck of a chore to try to turn this team around.
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Classic
anyway... the wings finished off their 5 game skid...first time since '98.
but hey. lidstrom's +/- is still +22 woo