The third full week of November is here, and with it comes a new points leader in the NHL. The New York Rangers now have 30 points. Let's take a look at this week's NHL Power Rankings:
1. New York Rangers
Don't look now, but the Blueshirts are winners of nine straight games. Henrik Lundqvist is putting in Vezina-caliber work for the Rangers (10-2-2, .947 save percentage) and that defense in front of him isn't too shabby, either.
2. Montreal Canadiens
Despite suffering a 6-1 loss at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche Saturday, the Habs are still arguably hockey's top squad. Backup goaltender Mike Condon has been largely spectacular filling in between the pipes for Carey Price, posting a 6-1-2 record to go along with a .921 save percentage. And with Price participating in a morning skate this weekend, it appears he's on the road to recovery and will only miss a few more contests.
3. Dallas Stars
Swedish blueliner John Klingberg continues to be a dominant force his second year in Dallas (20 points in 18 games) and, along with teammates Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, comprises three of the top five scorers in the league. The Stars have been hot of late, victors in eight of their last ten games. Now, if they could just find a way to beat the lowly Leafs instead of just sparring with them on Twitter.
4. St. Louis Blues
It seems that Jake Allen has finally come back down to Earth, allowing three goals in both of his most recent outings. But even in the absence of Jaden Schwartz and Paul Statsny (and for a while before, Kevin Shattenkirk), the Notes are still getting it done and boast a respectable 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games.
5. Nashville Predators
The Preds just demolished the Jets 7-0 Saturday, so there's that. But the emergence of Seth Jones (10 points in 16 games) and the stellar play of defensive stalwarts Roman Josi and Shea Weber has gone a long way towards helping Nashville into a tie for second place in the Central Division standings. The fact that they aren't relying on Pekka Rinne to bail them out of close games this year earns them points, too.
6. Washington Capitals
Evgeny Kuznetzov, not Alexander Ovechkin, is the leading point scorer in D.C. I'm still not entirely sure how we've come to this (or how he's managing to convert on 17.2 percent of his shots), but you won't hear the Caps complaining. Braden Holtby is quietly having a good year in net, too, with a 9-4 record and a .919 save percentage.
7. Minnesota Wild
The State of Hockey is enjoying a productive year from Ryan Suter thus far, who has already matched his previous year's goal output of two and tacked on a bundle of assists as well. They remain tied with the Blues and Predators for second place in the Central despite Devan Dubnyk being largely pedestrian in the early going. But did we really think he was going to replicate the kind of numbers he put up last season?
8. New Jersey Devils
The Devils have been the NHL's most pleasant surprise of the young season, and the lion's share of credit belongs with goaltender Cory Schneider, who sports a .928 save percentage. New Jersey has somehow managed to Frankenstein Lee Stepniak and Kyle Palmieri into top-six forwards and they've won seven of their previous 10 outings.
9. Los Angeles Kings
It appears L.A. has shaken its slow start and has won seven of its last 10 games. Milan Lucic is fitting in nicely on the second line and has three goals in his last five games, but Jonathan Quick's mundane stat line is a bit concerning. Still, things seem to be trending in the right direction for the Kings.
10. New York Islanders
Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss have backstopped the Isles to a healthy 9-6-3 record, which is quite impressive considering the struggles the boys from Brooklyn have encountered putting the puck in the net the past few weeks. They've averaged a paltry two goals per game over their last nine and have 3-4-2 record to show for it.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have hit a bit of a skid as of late, with three losses in their last four games. Calgary and Columbus were two of the culprits, which doesn't bode well for Sidney Crosby and company. A negative goal differential is slightly worrying as well, though Marc-Andre Fleury has been spectacular in net so far and is keeping them afloat with a .934 save percentage.
12. Arizona Coyotes
One-goal wins over the Ducks and Kings last week were a nice surprise, though a thrashing at the hands of the Blue Jackets Saturday was a step back. Young guns Anthony Duclair and Max Domi have cooled off a bit, though the later still has 15 points in 17 games. How the 'Yotes proceed has much to do with which Mike Smith we'll see this season. Hint: this year's version hasn't exactly been reassuring.
13. Chicago Blackhawks
The reigning Stanley Cup Champions are still trying to adjust to this year's iteration of the roster, but the emergence of young talents like Artemi Panarin has eased that transition. He has nine points in his previous eight contests, yet the 'Hawks have a modest three wins in that span.
14. Ottawa Senators
A loss to the Carolina Hurricanes last Saturday aside, the Senators have been largely competitive as of late. An undisclosed injury to goaltender and minor internet and fast food celebrity Andrew Hammond certainly doesn't help, though it will continue to give Craig Anderson a chance to separate himself as the starter - something he's not quite been able to do this year.
15. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have started their six-game road trip off the right way, including a rare win over Buffalo. Martin Jones has been solid between the pipes so far in his first starting gig, but struggles at home have kept them from moving up in the standings.
16. Vancouver Canucks
Their five losses in extra time is the most in the NHL, but despite those missed opportunities and five losses in their last six games the Canucks are still clinging to the eighth spot in the West. A sudden resurgence from Ryan Miller would be a welcome change in Vancouver these days.
17. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are an absolute mess right now. Last year's Cup Finalists have lost eight of their last 11 games and have scored less than two goals in six of their previous 10. The Triplet Line has yet to find its inspiration - whether playing together or apart - and that's got to be worrying coach John Cooper and company.
18. Boston Bruins
It took just a handful of games for much of the media and fans alike to declare this season a lost one for the Bruins, though they've righted the ship since and won six of their last 10. Unlikely contributions from unknowns like Colin Miller have been a good sign, but they'll need much better from Tuukka Rask if they want to get back into serious playoff contention.
19. Buffalo Sabres
For all the talk of Jack Eichel coming into the season, it's been the Ryan O'Reilly show so far in Buffalo. The Colorado transplant has 14 points in 17 games. A 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games is a positive trend for the Sabres, too.
20. Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings are tied for 25th in the NHL in goals per game (2.18) and rank dead last in shots per game (25.3). Generating offense has been an issue for Detroit so far this year, but there were bound to be hiccups for first-year coach Jeff Blashill. With nine players converting on 10 percent or more of their shots, a focus on taking more shots should help remedy the recent Red Wing woes.
21. Florida Panthers
Jaromir Jagr continues to stave off old age, and with the return of his Samson-esque flow there's no telling how many points he might put up this year. But one player does not a team make, and even though they're just three points off of second place in the Atlantic Division, it's going to be an uphill battle for the Panthers to be in a playoff position come April.
22. Colorado Avalanche
Three straight road wins have the Avalanche fired up and trade rumors surrounding Matt Duchene quieting down... for now. Reto Berra owns the best goals-against average (1.50) and save percentage (.953) in the league and with starter Seymon Varlamov being placed on the IR on Sunday, there's a very real chance Berra could suplant him in net - which would be perfect for a Colorado squad that's trending in the right direction.
23. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets have dropped four straight, the latest of which was a brutal 7-0 shutout at the hands of the Nashville Predators. Arguably hockey's hottest team in October, Winnipeg has cooled off significantly. It's not time to punch the panic button just yet, but Paul Maurice and the boys are certainly struggling for consistency right now.
24. Anaheim Ducks
Corey Perry might have seven points in his last five games, but the Ducks have dropped three straight decisions and didn't do themselves any favors starting off the season with one win in the first 10 games. I don't think anyone had Anaheim missing out on the postseason this year, but it's beginning to look like a realistic possibility.
25. Philadelphia Flyers
When a guy that's played on four NHL teams in the past three years is outplaying your starting goalie by a wide margin, you know you're in trouble.
26. Carolina Hurricanes
Five losses in the last six games has the Hurricanes backpeddling after a strong showing the week leading up to Halloween. Hey, at least Gary Bettman promised that the franchise won't be moving, right?
27. Calgary Flames
It's been a disappointing opening to the season in Western Canada. A slow start and subsequent injury to goaltender Jonas Hiller forced Karri Ramo into the starting role, and neither he nor Joni Ortio has found much success. Sean Monahan and the offense have finally started to wake up, but it's still a struggle each game in Alberta.
28. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Jackets finally won a game in their own barn! You've gotta celebrate the little things in Columbus these days.
29. Toronto Maple Leafs
This is a pretty accurate portrayal of Toronto's season so far.
30. Edmonton Oilers
Seven of their last 10 contests have been decided by one goal, but close doesn't cut it for the Oilers. The loss of Connor McDavid to a broken clavicle last week is just the icing on the cake of awful for Edmonton.
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