NHL Power Rankings (Heading into Week 3) – Carey Price’s Return Helps Propel Montreal Canadiens to the Top, While Toronto Maple Leafs Embarrassing Third Period Collapses Send Them to the Basement
We’re now 14 days into the new season with teams having played anywhere between five to eight games so far. There has been no shortage of headlines over the past week as injuries to goaltenders continue to mount and goal-scoring remains at a higher rate than normal. Let’s take a look back at the week that was.
After being held off the score sheet to start the year, Matt Duchene exploded for two goals and an assist in the Avs 4-0 win over Tampa Bay last Thursday. Starter Semyon Varlamov closed the door stopping all 27 shots for a shutout.
Flyers winger Jakub Voracek delivered two goals, one assist en route to a 6-3 victory over Carolina last Saturday.
Sergei Bobrovsky had a 32-save shutout to earn a much-needed Blue Jackets win versus Dallas on Saturday as well.
Powered by two goals by Kevin Fiala and Viktor Arvidsson, the Predators walked all over the Cup Champion Penguins in a 5-1 beat down Saturday. AHL netminder Juuse Saros was asked to fill in on an emergency basis and looked outstanding stopping 34 of 35 shots.
In the late game Saturday, David Perron netted a hat-trick plus an assist in St. Louis’ 6-4 win over Calgary on the road.
Sunday was highlighted by the afternoon Heritage Classic, which actually wound up being delayed. Edmonton netminder Cam Talbot stole the show with a shutout in the 3-0 win against host Winnipeg.
On Tuesday, both Devan Dubnyk and Craig Anderson recorded shutouts. Dubnyk on the road versus Boston in a 5-0 win. Anderson was also on the road against a hot Canucks squad.
The performer of the night on Tuesday was Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos. He had two goals, two assists against his hometown Maple Leafs in a 7-3 thrashing.
Turning to Wednesday night, New York Rangers F Brandon Pirri, Edmonton Oilers F Benoit Pouliot, and Anaheim Ducks F Jakob Silfverberg all delivered a multi-goal (two) performance as their teams collected wins.
Top Scorers After Week 1 (Oct.12-Oct.18)
1. F Connor McDavid, EDM – 7gp 11pts
2. F Auston Matthews, TOR – 6gp 10pts
2. F Brad Marchand, BOS – 7gp 10pts
4. F Steven Stamkos, TB – 6gp 9pts
4. F Artem Anisimov, CHI – 7gp 9pts
4. F William Nylander, TOR – 6gp 9pts
4. D Shea Weber, MTL – 6gp 9pts
4. F Joe Pavelski, SJ – 7gp 9pts
4. D Brent Burns, SJ – 7gp 9pts
10. F Richard Panik, CHI – 7gp 8pts
10. F David Pastrnak, BOS – 7gp 8pts
10. F Thomas Vanek, DET – 7gp 8pts
10. F Vladimir Tarasenko, STL – 7gp 8pts
10. F Jakub Voracek, PHI – 7gp 8pts
10. F Gustav Nyquist, DET – 7gp 8pts
10. F Jonathan Marchessault, FLA – 6gp 8pts
10. F Patrick Kane, CHI – 7gp 8pts
10. F Ryan Getzlaf, ANA – 7gp 8pts
10. F Claude Giroux, PHI – 7gp 8pts
12 Players Tied at 20th with 7 points