Power Rankings - First Edition 2016

We are nearly a month into the NHL season and the elite teams are beginning to separate themselves from the bad. Here is our first edition of the power rankings for 2016-17 season.

10. St. Louis Blues

There were about a half dozen teams being considered for the #10 spot on this list. To be honest, none of them seemed deserving to make the power rankings, but a top nine list seems strange. So the Blues are the defacto winners. They are third in the Western Conference in points with a 6-4-2 record, virtually a .500 team. Nothing special there. What gave them the edge over teams like Philadelphia, Los Angeles and others was their defensive strength. The Blues have been atrocious on offense, but defensively rank third in shots allowed per game and their penalty kill is fifth in the league at 89.1%.

9. Ottawa Senators

The Senators are as average as you can be on paper, but they win hockey games. This season they have scored just as many goals as they have allowed. Normally that equals out to a bad team, but Ottawa seems to always win the close games. They have a 7-4 record on the season, good enough for sixth in the Eastern Conference. If they can find a way to score more goals, they will be a playoff team. It is amazing what is being accomplished in Ottawa, when you consider the terrifyingly difficult situation facing their starting goaltender Craig Anderson, who has taken a leave from the team. You can read more about it here. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Anderson family.

8. Minnesota Wild

A 6-4-1 record and 4th place in the Western Conference. May seem pedestrian, but Minnesota is tied for the third best goal differential in the NHL. They are scoring well enough, 11th in goals per game across the league, but it is their defensive hockey that is what has them climbing in power rankings. They rank first in goals allowed per game at 2.00. When you only give up 2 goals each night, you are going to win a lot of games. Devan Dubnyk has been nothing short of fantastic; a 1.46 goals against average, .951 save percentage and 3 shutouts have vaulted him to the early favorite for the Vezina Trophy.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning

The popular preseason favorite to win the Stanley Cup has certainly not looked that special so far. However, Tampa Bay is playing well enough for second place in the Atlantic Division. With 3.25 goals per game, they are tied for the fourth most goals in the NHL. They are also playing well in their own zone, tied for seventh in goals allowed. The Lightning have been especially good when on the powerplay and penalty kill. Being the fourth best in both powerplay (26.5%) and penalty kill (89.5%) has given the team a winning record. The focus for Tampa Bay's coaching staff moving forward has to be on 5-on-5 play. If they can improve there, they should find themselves near the top of the Eastern Conference standings as the season progresses.

6. Edmonton Oilers

This team was expected to be fun to watch, but I am not sure we expected them to be one of the best teams in the NHL. They have the second best record in the Western Conference and sit in first place in the very tough Pacific Division. Seventh in the league in goals per game (3.08) and tenth in goals against per game (2.50). They are managing to play a very balanced game. That is what is so surprising. We all expected the team to be carried by the young stars on offense, but Cam Talbot has been spectacular in net. Maybe the most surprising stat from this team, their penalty kill ranks second in the NHL at 91.7%.

5. Washington Capitals

Last year's top regular season team is back near the top of the league again this year. They find themselves fourth in the Eastern Conference, only one point out of second place. The offensive weapons have not been as dominant this season, but they have been great in their own zone. The Capitals are second in the NHL in goals allowed. Impressive for a team built on offense. Washington knows if they are going to continue to be an elite team, they will not only need Holtby to be a great goaltender, but the offensive firepower has to be there as well.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins

The defending Stanley Cup champions are playing like they did through the second half of last season. Their speed, aggressive style and ability to roll three lines that can score make them a difficult matchup for any team. It does not hurt having two all-star caliber goalies. The Penguins 8-2-2 record has them tied for the second most points in the NHL. Pittsburgh just wrapped up the always difficult California road swing (Anaheim, LA and San Jose) where they captured 5 of a possible 6 points. Maybe the most impressive part of Pittsburgh's hot start was they managed it while battling key injuries. Crosby, Letang and Murray have all missed games at separate times this season. Now the team is fully healthy. Furthermore Sidney Crosby is back to being far and away the best player in the hockey world. He has only played in half his team's games, yet leads the entire league in goals with eight.

3. Montreal Canadiens

A few days ago Montreal would have easily been first on this list. However, when you lose a game by 10 goals to the Columbus Blue Jackets you deserve to fall a couple spots. The Canadiens are still 10-1-1 on the season and lead the NHL in points. Carey Price is an astonishing 7-0 with a 1.58 GAA and a .952 save percentage. If the season ended today he would win the MVP in a landslide. Shea Weber is making Marc Bergevin (Habs GM) look like a genius. They are the only team in the NHL to be top five in both goals scored per game and goals against per game. Time will tell if Montreal is just having a blazing hot streak to start the season, or if they are actually this good.


2. Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks are first in the Western Conference and that deserves some recognition. The Eastern Conference certainly has a more clear gap between the good and average teams, but the west has not sorted itself out yet. Chicago is the only proven team to get any separation from the pack. They also happen to be second in the league in goals scored per game (3.50) and in goal differential (+13). Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin are part of a way three way tie for the league lead in points. That should come as no surprise after last season's great performances from each of them. Chicago's achilles heel is most definitely their penalty kill. They are a league worst 64.3% at killing penalties, a full ten percentage points behind the second worst team. Their penalty kill has not held them back yet, which means they have time to correct it. There is no way a team with Seabrook, Keith and Toews can continue to be so bad shorthanded.

1. New York Rangers

The Rangers were not supposed to be this good. Many people did not expect the Rangers to be a playoff team this season. However, somehow the Rangers are the scariest team in the NHL so far. They may be second in the NHL in points, but continue to heat up. They have managed some freakishly good stats offensively: #1 in goals scored (50), #1 in goals/game (4.17, the only team over 3.5), and #1 in goal differential (+23). They are getting great goaltending from King Henry and superb offensive production from Jimmy Vesey, Michael Grabner and JT Miller. I am not yet sold that the Rangers can keep this up for 82 games, but they are the best team in hockey right now.