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Week 3 Power Rankings For 2014-15 NHL Season

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Week 3 Power Rankings For 2014-15 NHL Season

Corey Perry
Gary A. Vasquez-USA Today Sports

As the 2014-15 NHL season approaches its third week, the gap between good teams and bad teams is becoming more and more apparent with every game. These rankings have been constructed based on the NHL standings and my eye test. As it's still early, take these rankings with a grain of salt because there is still plenty of hockey left to play.

30. Carolina Hurricanes

Eric Staal
James Guillory - USA Today Sports

30. Carolina Hurricanes

Eric Staal
James Guillory - USA Today Sports

The winless Carolina Hurricanes continue their unmitigated disaster of a season as they wrap up their Western Canadian road trip in Vancouver. Even with the pending return of team captain Eric Staal, things aren’t turning around anytime soon and the winds of change are likely brewing in Raleigh.

29. Buffalo Sabres

Florida Panthers v Buffalo Sabres
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29. Buffalo Sabres

Florida Panthers v Buffalo Sabres
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Sam Reinhart got his first NHL point and the Buffalo Sabres beat the free falling San Jose Sharks, so some positives did come out of their West Coast swing. Beyond that, getting beaten and beaten up by Stanley Cup contenders in Anaheim and Los Angeles shows this is still a young, rebuilding squad that is years away from contention.

28. Winnipeg Jets

Boston Bruins v Winnipeg Jets
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28. Winnipeg Jets

Boston Bruins v Winnipeg Jets
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Being mediocre appears to be the status quo in Winnipeg, as the struggling Winnipeg Jets continue to plug along with no signs of getting better. The team’s loss to the injury-plagued Tampa Bay Lightning shows just how far the team needs to go be respectable. Getting power forward Evander Kane back in the lineup soon could give the struggling team a shot in the arm.

27. Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers
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27. Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers
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A three-game win streak win including a win over the Carolina Hurricanes in a 2006 Stanley Cup Final rematch shows that the Edmonton Oilers may not be the worst team in hockey. Having said that, there’s still a ways to go before the team is anywhere near respectability.

26. Colorado Avalanche

colorado avalanche nathan mackinnon
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26. Colorado Avalanche

colorado avalanche nathan mackinnon
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The Colorado Avalanche were last year’s Cinderella team and apparently it’s midnight because they're a shell of the team they were last season. In what was supposed to be the year he established himself as a bona fide superstar teenager Nathan MacKinnon has yet to score a goal through eight games. An upcoming slate of games that includes the St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks, and New York Islanders means it’s unlikely it will be turning around.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs

Carlyle
John E. Sokolowski-USA Today Sports

25. Toronto Maple Leafs

Carlyle
John E. Sokolowski-USA Today Sports

Last year’s collapse appears to not have been a fluke, as the Toronto Maple Leafs still have no idea how to play defense and appear to want their coach, Randy Carlyle, fired. Their blowout at the hands of the Boston Bruins shows how far the Leafs have fallen since almost upsetting the Bruins in 2013.

24. Florida Panthers

AleksanderBarkov_
Jerome Miron-USA Today Sports

24. Florida Panthers

AleksanderBarkov_
Jerome Miron-USA Today Sports

Despite their lowly two wins, things aren’t as bad as they appear as teenagers Aaron Ekblad and Aleksander Barkov are showing real signs of promise. If they continue their steady development, the team might be able to turn things around. If not, it’ll be another year of abysmal hockey in South Florida.

23. Arizona Coyotes

Mike Smith
Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today Sports

23. Arizona Coyotes

Mike Smith
Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today Sports

The win over the lowly Florida Panthers aside, the newly named Arizona Coyotes still look their old selves. The team can’t score and worse still, former Vezina finalist Mike Smith looks like an absolute shell of himself this season. An upcoming East Coast swing could be an early “make or break” situation for the team.

22. New York Rangers

Anthony Duclair NHL Roster
Eric Hartline-USA Today Sports

22. New York Rangers

Anthony Duclair NHL Roster
Eric Hartline-USA Today Sports

The reigning Eastern Conference champs are great one minute and awful the next, as evidenced by their loss in Montreal. The team will have a big choice to make regarding star teenager Anthony Duclair, as his nine game threshold for his rookie contract is looming. The team’s upcoming slate of games could be what decides where the Montreal native play the rest of the season.

21. St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues v Chicago Blackhawks - Game Six
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21. St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues v Chicago Blackhawks - Game Six
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The St. Louis Blues have not looked like the powerhouse they were expected to be this season, but it’s still early. Their win over the hated rival Chicago Blackhawks shows how good the Blues can be. Having said that, losing Paul Stastny for an extended period of time is a tough break the team will have to overcome.

20. Philadelphia Flyers

Braydon Coburn
Eric Hartline-USA Today Sports

20. Philadelphia Flyers

Braydon Coburn
Eric Hartline- USA Today Sports

Wins over the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings show how good the Philadelphia Flyers can be. That being said, losing Braydon Coburn and Andrew MacDonald for the next four weeks is a huge blow to an already less than stellar blue line. Giving prized prospect Shayne Gostisbehere a shot in the NHL should at least give the team a shot in the arm.

19. Boston Bruins

Dennis Seidenberg Boston Bruins
Don McPeak-USA Today Sports

19. Boston Bruins

Dennis Seidenberg Boston Bruins
Don McPeak-USA Today Sports

The Boston Bruins have had their ups and downs all season, and will be without team captain Zdeno Chara for four to six weeks. If any team can overcome a rough start and loss of an all-world player, it’s the Bruins. Look for them to step up with a big effort at home against the young and exciting Minnesota Wild.

18. Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks Season 2014-15
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18. Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks Season 2014-15
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For a team that was supposed to be awful, the Vancouver Canucks have looked better than average to start the season as new acquisitions Ryan Miller and Radim Vrbata have looked good in the season’s early goings. Having said that, getting blown out by the Colorado Avalanche shows it’s not smart to be too optimistic with this team.

17. San Jose Sharks

Brent Burns Report Card
Jerome Miron-USA Today Sports

17. San Jose Sharks

Brent Burns Report Card
Jerome Mirone-USA Today Sports

After a stellar start, the Sharks are winless in four straight -- not first time that’s happened to this team in this calendar year -- and lost at home to the Buffalo Sabres. A Sunday night game in Anaheim could really be make or break for the team in the early going of the season. One positive in the early goings of the season is the seamless transition Brent Burns has made back to defense with nine points in eight games.

16. Columbus Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars v Columbus Blue Jackets
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16. Columbus Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars v Columbus Blue Jackets
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The injury-riddled Columbus Blue Jackets haven’t been lighting the world on fire, as they have had their share of inconsistencies early on, but that’s okay. As long as the team keeps its head above water until reinforcements, such as Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner, arrive, they should compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

15. Calgary Flames

Joe Colborne Calgary Flames
Candice Ward-USA Today Sports

15. Calgary Flames

Joe Colborne Calgary Flames
Candice Ward-USA Today Sports

The Calgary Flames have a weird mix of veterans and young talent that has made them a better than average team in the early goings of the season. It’ll be tough for them to keep it up in a loaded Western Conference, but with youngsters such as Johnny Gaudrea and Sean Monahan leading the way, there is reason for optimism. Tuesday’s home game against the powerhouse Montreal Canadiens should be a great test.

14. Tampa Bay Lightning

drouin calder (Don McPeak-USA Today Sports)
Don McPeak-USA Today Sports

14. Tampa Bay Lightning

drouin calder (Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports)
Don McPeak-USA Today Sports

After a great start, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hit kind of a rut in the road as injuries have piled up and the team is going through some early season adversity. Rookie sensation Jonathan Drouin has been great and will only get better. With a roster this talented, they should be back to their winning ways before long, especially with a looming four game home stand.

13. Minnesota Wild

Charlie Coyle
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA Today Sports

13. Minnesota Wild

Charlie Coyle
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA Today Sports

After losing in Anaheim and Los Angeles, the Minnesota Wild have returned to their winning ways and appear to be very much a contender in the Western Conference. With Charlie Coyle locked up long-term, look for the Massachusetts native to have a big game in his homecoming when the team takes on the Boston Bruins this week.

12. Ottawa Senators

Senators Karlsson Playoffs
Marc DesRosiers - USA Today Sports

12. Ottawa Senators

Senators Karlsson Playoffs
Marc DesRosiers - USA Today Sports

In the Wake of the tragedy in Ottawa, the Ottawa Senators have become a nice sanctuary for the city to turn to get through its tough time. New captain Erik Karlsson has been a big reason for the team’s hot start and will need to be at his best, as the team has five straight games against 2014 playoff teams coming up.

11. Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks
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11. Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks
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Losing back to back games in St. Louis and Nashville is tough, but this Chicago Blackhawks team knows how to rally through adversity and will surely bounce back before long. Look for Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to get the team back on track, as Tuesday night’s game against Anaheim is an absolute measuring stick game.

10. New Jersey Devils

Jagr
Ed Mulholland-USA Today Sports

10. New Jersey Devils

Jagr
Ed Mulholland-USA Today Sports

The New Jersey Devils have surprised many behind the stellar play of Cory Schneider and Jaromir Jagr continuing to defy age. A big game in Pittsburgh this week will surely go a long way in seeing how good this New Jersey squad is. It’s worth noting that their historically bad run in shootouts will need to change if the team wants to be a legitimate player in the Eastern Conference.

9. Dallas Stars

Tyler Seguin
Jerome Miron-USA Today Sports

9. Dallas Stars

Tyler Seguin
Jerome Miron-USA Today Sports

The Tyler Seguin trade keeps looking better and better, as he and Jamie Benn have formed one of the best dynamic duos in the league. Despite their loss to the New York Islanders, the Dallas Stars show all the signs of contending this season. Upcoming home games against St. Louis and Anaheim will be great gauges for the team’s potential.

8. Detroit Red Wings

Pavel Datsyuk the Magic Man
Charles LeClaire-USA Today Sports

8. Detroit Red Wings

Pavel Datsyuk the Magic Man
Charles LeClaire-USA Today Sports

The Detroit Red Wings’ young talent is amazing, and the return of Pavel “The Magic Man” Datsyuk means Detroit is playing to win. Despite their loss in Philadelphia, the Red Wings look like a legitimate playoff team in the Eastern Conference.

7. Washington Capitals

Alexander Ovechkin
Geoff Burke-USA Today Sports

7. Washington Capitals

Alexander Ovechkin
Geoff Burke-USA Today Sports

Barry Trotz has revitalized this team, as the squad looks better than it has in years, despite a loss to the lowly Edmonton Oilers. With superstar Alexander Ovechkin buying into the system, the best could be yet to come for the team and Ovechkin this season.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins

Chris Kunitz
Charles LeClaire-USA Today Sports

6. Pittsburgh Penguins

Chris Kunitz
Charles LeClaire-USA Today Sports

Losing to the arch-rival Philadelphia Flyers stings, but the Pittsburgh Penguins got back to their winning ways in the Music City, handing the Nashville Predators their first regulation loss. Pittsburgh’s retooled top line of former Pred Patric Hornqivst with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz has been one of the best lines in hockey all year. That’s what Crosby does.

5. New York Islanders

Frans Nielsen
Tom Sczerbowski - USA Today Sports

5. New York Islanders

Frans Nielsen
Tom Sczerbowski - USA Today Sports

Frans Nielsen’s hat trick against the Dallas Stars is only one highlight of the team’s great start to the season. With depth at every position and the team clicking on all cylinders, look for the team to prove itself on it upcoming West Coast road trip.

4. Nashville Predators

5 Things Predators Must Figure Out by October
Candice Ward-USA Today Sports

4. Nashville Predators

5 Things Predators Must Figure Out by October
Candice Ward-USA Today Sports

Despite suffering their first regulation loss of the season at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Nashville Predators have established themselves as a great team in the early goings of the season. New acquisition James Neal has given the team new-found offense, and the defense/goaltending that have been the bread and butter of the team remain as good as ever.

3. Los Angeles Kings

Brayden
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3. Los Angeles Kings

Brayden
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The reigning champions are looking like absolute world beaters, as they are one of the hottest teams in the league. Mike Richards and Jeff Carter’s “homecoming” in Philadelphia highlight an upcoming East Coast swing for the Los Angeles Kings, who will surely see their mettle tested.

2. Montreal Canadiens

New York Rangers v Montreal Canadiens - Game Five
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2. Montreal Canadiens

New York Rangers v Montreal Canadiens - Game Five
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A blowout in Tampa aside, the Montreal Canadiens are looking an even better version of their 2014 Eastern Conference Finalist squad. With Max Paciroretty leading an underrated group of forwards, the best could be yet to come for this Montreal team.

1. Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks v Pittsburgh Penguins
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1. Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks v Pittsburgh Penguins
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The Anaheim Ducks keep rolling, as they have won seven straight games and appear to be as good their 2007 version that won the Stanley Cup. Corey Perry looks like he could be adding even more hardware to his already stellar resume, as he just keeps scoring. Five straight games against 2014 playoff teams will test how good Anaheim is.

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