NHL power rankings: Capitals rise, Red Wings fall
It’s still early in the 2019-20 NHL season, but the good teams like the Washington Capitals are starting to separate themselves from the bad teams like the Detroit Red Wings. Here’s a look at the NHL power rankings after Week 3.
The 2019-20 NHL season is still young. However, almost every team has played at least nine games, so it’s time for an update in our NHL power rankings. The Capitals had a bit of a rough start, but have been impressive as of late, winning four straight. Meanwhile, the Red Wings started the season with a 3-1-0 record, but have now lost six straight.
These rankings are based on several factors. They include overall record, underlying stats, and strength of schedule. With that being said, let’s get started with this week’s rankings.
2-6-1. Previous: . Ottawa Senators. 31. team. 91.
At least the Senators have a high first-round pick to look forward to.
72. . 3-7-0. Previous: . Detroit Red Wings. 30. team
The Red Wings squeezed every drop of juice out of their organization just to get a few more first-round exits and extend a postseason streak. Now they’re paying for it.
2-4-1. Previous: . New York Rangers. 29. team. 95.
A team with as much talent as the Rangers shouldn’t look this bad. Head coach David Quinn should probably be on the hot seat.
team. 98. . 3-6-0. Previous: . Minnesota Wild. 28
Just when you thought their drama was over, a slow start has head coach Bruce Boudreau on the hot seat.
team. 119. . 3-7-1. Previous: . Dallas Stars. 27
Though the Stars have won two straight, they’re averaging just over two goals scored per game and a shade under three goals allowed per game. That’s a recipe for disaster.
Previous: . New Jersey Devils. 26. team. 85. . 2-4-2
Good news: The Devils have won two straight!
Bad news: Their weird schedule could make it hard for them to keep their momentum going.
25. team. 120. . 3-5-1. Previous: . San Jose Sharks
Their goaltending is still atrocious.
Chicago Blackhawks. 24. team. 94. . 2-3-2. Previous:
Despite having a below .500 record, all of their losses, save one to the Capitals (which included an empty net goal), have been by one loss. But keep in mind that’s with outstanding goaltending.
team. 68. . 3-3-1. Previous: . Philadelphia Flyers. 23
Carter Hart has started off slow, but if he gets right, the Flyers have enough talent to make things interesting in the Metropolitan Division.
. 4-5-0. Previous: . Los Angeles Kings. 22. team. 67
The Kings have done the impossible by ensuring the Sharks don’t have the worst goaltending in the state of California.
Winnipeg Jets. 21. team. 107. . 5-6-0. Previous:
You know things are getting ugly when you willingly add Luca Sbisa to your NHL roster.
Previous: . Columbus Blue Jackets. 20. team. 113. . 4-3-2
Considering the Blue Jackets lost their best forward and their franchise goaltender this summer, they’re not looking too shabby.
Previous: . Calgary Flames. 19. team. 112. . 5-5-1
Stop me if you’ve heard this one – a team coached by Bill Peters can’t buy a goal despite having impressive underlying stats.
4-2-3. Previous: . Florida Panthers. 18. team. 97.
Sergei Bobrovsky isn’t living up to his mega deal so far.
17. team. 152. . 4-3-2. Previous: . Montreal Canadiens
Nice to see Jonathan Drouin bouncing back after nearly getting traded this summer.
5-4-2. Previous: . Toronto Maple Leafs. 16. team. 116.
Is it a hot take to say Mike Babcock is an overrated coach at this point? I don’t think it is.
Previous: . St. Louis Blues. 15. team. 99. . 4-2-3
Jordan Binnington‘s having a rough start to the season, but I think he bounces back.
team. 23. . 5-3-1. Previous: . Tampa Bay Lightning. 14
Maybe the Lightning shouldn’t have given Andrei Vasilevskiy a huge extension?
team. 121. . 5-2-1. Previous: . Arizona Coyotes. 13
Uh oh, the Arizona Coyotes have figured out how to score goals. And they’ve been scoring against really good teams too.
12. team. 106. . 5-3-0. Previous: 16th. New York Islanders
They still can’t score, but their goaltending is still great.
11. team. 104. . 6-3-0. Previous: 22nd. Vancouver Canucks
Great start for the Canucks, but we’ve seen this before. They’ve got to be more consistent.
151. . 5-3-1. Previous: . Nashville Predators. 10. team
Something tells me the Predators aren’t going to convert on over 12% of their shots on goal for the entire season.
Previous: 9th. Pittsburgh Penguins. 9. team. 92. . 6-5-0
They’ve lost three straight, but considering their injuries, they played very well.
6-4-0. Previous: . Anaheim Ducks. 8. team. 105.
John Gibson is on top of my Hart Trophy ballot right now.
109. . 6-3-0. Previous: . Carolina Hurricanes. 7. team
It’s a bit scary the Hurricanes have been this good even without Sebastian Aho producing that much.
Previous: . Vegas Golden Knights. 6. team. 942. . 7-4-0
One has to wonder how much longer Marc-Andre Fleury can handle such a large workload.
Previous: . Edmonton Oilers. 5. team. 148. . 7-2-1
Connor McDavid is still the best player in the world.
70. . 6-1-2. Previous: . Boston Bruins. 4. team
Man, it’s hard to believe Tuukka Rask is the first Bruins goalie to appear in 500 games with the team.
Washington Capitals. 3. team. 19. . 7-2-2. Previous:
Just as everyone expected, John Carlson is leading the NHL in points. Wait, what?
8-1-1. Previous: . Buffalo Sabres. 2. team. 12.
A lot of surprises so far for the Buffalo Sabres, but none of them is bigger than the way Carter Hutton‘s been playing in goal.
Next. Every Team's Mount Rushmore. dark
103. . 7-1-1. Previous: . Colorado Avalanche. 1. team
They’re about to get a huge test without star wing Mikko Rantanen, but the great news is he seems to have avoided a significant injury.