NHL power rankings 3.0: Devils' offense off to high-flying start
Here are Paste BN Sports NHL columnist Kevin Allen's power rankings through Oct. 31 games.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning (10-2-1)
So much talk about Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov that no one is noticing that Braydon Point has 14 points in 13 games.
2. St. Louis Blues (10-2-1)
With 17 points in 13 games, Jaden Schwartz has been even more productive than Vladimir Tarasenko (14 points).
3. Los Angeles Kings (9-2-1)
The return of Anze Kopitar’s and Dustin Brown’s scoring touch makes the Kings far more dangerous offensively.
4. Vegas Golden Knights (8-3-0)
The Golden Knights have lost the same amount of goalies (three) as they have games. Marc-Andre Fleury, Malcolm Subban and Oscar Dansk are injured.
5. New Jersey Devils (8-2-0)
Most surprising performance by a team in the early going. The Devils rank third in the NHL in goals per game (3.80). Who saw that coming?
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6. Columbus Blue Jackets (8-4-0)
If you are looking for a sleeper in the Eastern Conference, consider the Blue Jackets. They have the goaltending, defensive emphasis and the scoring.
7. New York Islanders (7-4-1)
With nine goals and 12 points in his last five games, John Tavares is the NHL’s hottest performer.
8. Pittsburgh Penguins (7-5-1)
Everyone knows what the Penguins can do, but they just aren’t doing it yet.
9. Ottawa Senators (5-2-5)
Erik Karlsson had a plus-minus of -6 against the Canadiens on Monday. Believe it or not, several noteworthy defenseman have replicated that or done worse including Paul Coffey and Scott Stevens.
10. Toronto Maple Leafs (7-5-0)
A three-game losing streak simply reminds us that this team is still a work in progress, even though we now see them as a contender.
11. Vancouver Canucks (6-3-2)
These Canucks are on a 104-point pace. Nobody forecasted this strong start.
12. Anaheim Ducks (6-4-1)
Decent start for a team that had to deal with a handful of key injuries this month.
13. Dallas Stars (7-5-0)
With the scorers they have, the Stars’ offense should be better than 2.83 goals per game.
14. Philadelphia Flyers (6-5-1)
At 20, Ivan Provorov is showing signs that he could someday be a Norris Trophy winner.
15. Winnipeg Jets (6-3-2)
While you are marveling at the impressive collection of skilled forwards, notice that Connor Hellebuyck has a 1.91 goals-against average and .940 save percentage.
16. Colorado Avalanche (6-5-0)
The Avalanche look sharper, but let’s not forget they were 9-9 after 18 games last season.
17. San Jose Sharks (6-5-0)
Sharks rank third in Corsi percentage, according to corsica.hockey, which is considered an indicator of puck possession.
18. Nashville Predators (5-4-2)
With several players adapting to new responsibilities, the Predators are still trying to find their new identity.
19. Calgary Flames (6-6-0)
They are 30th in goal scoring. Their improved goaltending won’t matter if they don't score more regularly.
20. Chicago Blackhawks (5-5-2)
The ‘Hawks must improve on a 12.7% power play efficiency (28th) if they want be a factor in the Central Division.
21. Minnesota Wild (4-4-2)
Chris Stewart’s six goals in nine games has helped an offense hurt by Zach Parise’s long-term loss to injury.
22. Boston Bruins (4-3-3)
The Bruins rank third (28.9%) on the power play and fifth (85.4%) in penalty killing.
23. Carolina Hurricanes (4-4-2)
Defenseman Justin Faulk leads the team with 36 shots on goal, but has only scored one goal.
24. Washington Capitals (5-6-1)
Alex Ovechkin netted nine goals in the first five games and then one in the last seven games.
25. Detroit Red Wings (6-6-1)
Jimmy Howard’s .927 save percentage has helped the Red Wings get off to a better-than-expected start.
26. Florida Panthers (4-6-1)
Evgenii Dadonov’s return from Russia has been a plus for Florida’s offense.
27. Montreal Canadiens (4-7-1)
Even with Carey Price in the net, the Canadiens’ team save percentage ranks 30th at .879.
28. New York Rangers (4-7-2)
It feels as if a shake-up is imminent if the team doesn’t start surging. A major trade? A coaching change. Both are possible.
29. Edmonton Oilers (3-6-1)
This team isn’t going to continue to score 2.2 goals per game. Lots of chatter in the hockey world about the Oilers looking for another scorer.
30. Buffalo Sabres (3-7-2)
The Sabres are giving up more than a goal per game than they are scoring. That won’t work.
31. Arizona Coyotes (1-11-1)
Goaltender Antti Raanta’s return from injury, expected this week, could, or should, turn into better results.