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NHL Power Rankings Week 2: Maple Leafs rising, Canadiens free falling

By Dave Stevenson

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 9: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs scores the overtime winning goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on October 9, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leafs defeated the Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 9: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs scores the overtime winning goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on October 9, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leafs defeated the Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images /

Previous: . Minnesota Wild. 26. team. 98. . 0-1-1

The Minnesota Wild have struggled so far in their first two games. While they pulled out a point against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Wild aren’t looking dominant like they did last season. It’s still early. The Wild haven’t even had a home game yet. Weirdly, they played two games in three days and had a five-day break before playing against on Thursday, Oct. 11.

148. . 1-2-0. Previous: . Edmonton Oilers. 25. team

Is this an overreaction? Probably. But so far, the Edmonton Oilers have not looked good at all. Connor McDavid seems mortal after an opening night hat trick. More importantly, goaltender Cam Talbot is struggling and the Oilers don’t really have a Plan B. This has led to losses to the Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets. The Oilers are far too good to keep playing like this, but they’ve got to get their act together fast.

97. . 1-1-0. Previous: . Florida Panthers. 24. team

The Florida Panthers are a hard team to gauge. They’ve only played one team so far (the Tampa Bay Lighting). The Panthers looked dominant in their win over them, but unimpressive in the other, even though they outshot the Lightning in both games.

1-2-0. Previous: . Winnipeg Jets. 23. team. 107.

Steve Mason was supposed to be the answer for the Winnipeg Jets’ goaltending woes. It’s safe to say he has only created more questions. The Jets are an extremely talented team. Good enough to make the postseason with even competent goaltending. It’s up to Mason and Connor Hellebuyck to provide that. If they can’t, the Jets will continue to dwell in mediocrity.

70. . 1-1-0. Previous: . Boston Bruins. 22. team

The Boston Bruins looked nice against the Nashville Predators. However, they lost to the Colorado Avalanche and looked abysmal while doing so. The Bruins are struggling defensively, but maybe their numerous injuries have something to do with it. This is a very good team who’s missing an elite center in Patrice Bergeron. But Boston has high aspirations for this season and needs to start playing like it.

21. team. 119. . 1-2-0. Previous: . Dallas Stars

You might want to sit down because I’m about to say something REALLY surprising. The Dallas Stars goaltending has been pretty bad so far. This shouldn’t be a shocker at all, as it’s been their story the past two seasons. However, Kari Lehtonen cost the Stars early games against the Vegas Golden Knights and St. Louis Blues. Ben Bishop, though, has looked good in a little under two games.

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