Three weeks down! It’s almost like you can smell the playoffs already. Each team continues to write their own story, and each week that passes by gets us a clearer look on how their season is going to play out. Let’s take a look at the rankings and how they’ve changed.
32. San Jose Sharks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Sharks still have not won a game. With an 0-8-1 record and the awful play to match such an ugly record, one can guess that this team is burning to get two points. That may make them more dangerous, or more sloppy.
31. Calgary Flames (Previous rank: 23)
Last week I said the Flames were capable of competing. This week, that seems like a really silly prediction. Anyone who thought this team was a future Cup contender is probably feeling pretty ridiculous right now.
30. Edmonton Oilers (Previous rank: 28)
It’s not a good year in Alberta so far. The Oilers aren’t doing much better than the Flames if they’re doing better at all. The difference is the Oilers had all the expectations in the world and they can’t meet them.
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29. Seattle Kraken (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Kraken have looked a little bit better, managing to net a couple of points. They still look massively out gunned and the defense has more holes than swiss cheese. What happened to Grubauer?
28. Chicago Blackhawks (Previous rank: 24)
The Blackhawks had a slightly okay second week, to a pretty bad third week. The offense is already showing its incapability of carrying this team due to lack of depth and now all the other holes are being even more exploited.
27. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Columbus has shown glimpses of hope so far this year. The issue is, they can’t seem to cling onto that hope. Each passing week sees any faith in this team slowly start to glimmer away.
26. Minnesota Wild (Previous rank: 20)
The Wild are slipping and can’t find anything to grab onto. There wasn’t much hope for Cup contention before the season started, but now even the hope for a playoff berth appears to be fading relatively quickly.
25. Winnipeg Jets (Previous rank: 21)
Not that long ago the Jets were in the conference finals. They lost to Vegas, but they showed they were here to compete for a championship. This team is declaring the exact opposite.
24. Pittsburgh Penguins (Previous rank: 19)
Any hope the Penguins sparked with their start to the season is gone now. They have a win over Colorado, but it’s also their only win in their last 5 games.
23. Nashville Predators (Previous rank: 25)
The Predators have managed to stay afloat at .500 but that’s not going to be enough to compete in the Central Division. This team is most likely going to sink.
22. St Louis Blues (Previous rank: 13)
The issues that I was worried about with the Blues are starting to rear their ugly heads. Though they have looked better than expected, they’re quickly starting to fall behind. Buckle in boys, there’s a rough ride ahead.
21. Florida Panthers (Previous rank: 22)
The Panthers are scrambling to find their form. It doesn’t help that Bobvrosky appears to have once again reverted to his poor form. The future of this team is unclear, but one can only hope that they pull it together.
20. Ottawa Senators (Previous rank: 11)
The Senators don’t appear to know how talented they are. This team doesn’t seem to know how to play together and while they’ve shown glimpses of the team they can be, inconsistency is their kryptonite right now.
19. Washington Capitals (Previous rank: 30)
The main reason Washington has bumped up so much is because of the poor play of other teams, but there’s also the fact that they didn’t have a super terrible week 3. It’s not much for hope, but it’s better than being at the bottom.
18. Buffalo Sabres (Previous rank: 26)
Finally the Sabres appear to be showing the talent they have on their team. They got a lot of ground to make up after their horrific start, but they’ve pulled themselves back to .500 and have looked good doing it.
17. Arizona Coyotes (Previous rank: 16)
Maybe there won’t be a Cinderella story. After starting out 3-1-0, the Coyotes are now 3-4-0, having lost three in a row. They blew a 5-1 lead against the Kings in their last game too. There might be rough seas ahead for this team.
16. Anaheim Ducks (Previous rank: 31)
Don’t tell anyone, but the Ducks suddenly look good. They beat Boston and Philadelphia this last week and have pulled to .500. Is it just a façade or have the Ducks found a way to accelerate their rebuild?
15. Carolina Hurricanes (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Every time it looks like the Hurricanes have pulled it together, they seem to fall right back down the slope. I can’t say if this team will find it’s groove, but the fact that they’re still competing while looking like this is testament to how good the team is.
14. New York Islanders (Previous rank: 17)
The Islanders are looking pretty dang decent. They’re playing like a well oiled squad and have amassed a 4-2-1 record because of it. I wasn’t expected much from this team, so it’s safe to say they’re exceeding expectations.
13. Tampa Bay Lightning (Previous rank: 18)
The Lightning appear to be pulling it back. They still don’t look like they dynasty they used to be, but the fact that after all this time they’re still able to compete for top spots in the Atlantic is pretty impressive.
12. Philadelphia Flyers (Previous rank: 5)
The Flyers have slipped a bit this week. It’s hard to hold it too much against them when they’re losing close games to teams like Vegas, but the Anaheim loss was a bit concerning. This team still doesn’t look bad by any means.
11. Los Angeles Kings (Previous rank: 12)
The Kings are pretty good at beating lesser competition. However, they still struggle against the elites and that’s cause for concern. Cam Talbot has exceeded expectations so far, but Phoenix Copley has far from even met his.
10. Vancouver Canucks (Previous rank: 14) Canucks (Previous rank: 18)
Vancouver finds themselves in the top 10 behind a pretty good week. As soon as you thought this team was slipping, they found a way back in it. This could be an exciting season for Vancouver fans.
9. Detroit Red Wings (Previous rank: 6)
The Red Wings have fallen a few spaces, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t doing good. A couple of losses haven’t set this team too far back, they still look very impressive.
8. Montreal Canadiens (Previous rank: 9)
Where did Montreal come from? From seemingly no where this team is currently playing like one of the best in the world. They’ve put the Atlantic on notice, but will they be able to keep it up?
7. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous rank: 10)
Toronto has pulled back from a bit of a rough week 2. They’re 5-2-1 now, with all their top stars starting to produce. They look like the team they were advertised to be and that’s what the city of Toronto was hoping for.
6. New Jersey Devils (Previous rank: 8)
The Devils appear to be finding their traction. They had a very good week 3 and are starting to show just what they’re capable of. Keep it up guys, the league’s excited to watch what you can do.
5. New York Rangers (Previous rank: 7)
Shesterkin is playing like one of the best in the world. The Rangers are playing like one of the best in the world. I said this team didn’t look much different from last year and clearly that’s far from a bad thing.
4. Dallas Stars (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Stars finally lost in regulation, but that doesn’t change how they’ve looked. The offense is high powered, and it has the defense and goaltending to back it up. This team is dangerous and their only real competition in the Central might be Colorado.
3. Colorado Avalanche (Previous rank: 2)
Colorado’s loss to Pittsburgh was a bit of a stinger, but it’s just a bruise that they can easily shake off. This team may not be undefeated any longer, but they still look like a group of juggernauts.
2. Boston Bruins (Previous rank: 3)
Never would’ve expected their first loss of the season to come from Anaheim, but it did and Boston is no longer undefeated. They are however, undefeated in regulation and still look like an absolutely amazing team.
1. Vegas Golden Knights (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Vegas was also bounced from the ranks of the unbeaten, but much like Boston they have yet to lose in regulation. The defending champs continue to reign supreme over the league and seem like a lock to win the Pacific.
