Outsider Sports NHL Power Rankings Oct. 30
Welcome to the Outsider Sports NHL power rankings, where our hockey staff provides their top-10 rankings each week. Each first place vote receives 10 points, while 10th place votes receive one point. Voting this week is Ben Mandell, Tom Leone, Michael Diakunczak, Arianna Fariss and Parker Dorsey.
Bruins have still not lost in regulation through thier first eight games of the season. Michael Dwyer | Associated Press.
1. Vegas Golden Knights (50 points)
The Golden Knights remained unanimous atop our power rankings again despite dropping their first game of the season this week. They fell in overtime to Chicago, but they were able to bounce back and defeat the Kings in a shootout the following day.
2. Boston Bruins (42 points)
Boston, like Vegas, suffered its first loss this week after regulation. Boston remains atop the Eastern Conference thanks to a bounce back win Saturday against Detroit.
3. Colorado Avalanche (41 points)
The Avalanche Fell to third in our rankings after dropping their first two games of the season this week. The week started well enough with the offense finding a way to beat Ilya Sorokin a plethora of times, but Colorado was shut out by Pittsburgh on Thursday and Buffalo on Sunday.
4. New York Rangers (34 points)
New York had a rocky start to the season, splitting the first four games. That is clearly in the past as the blue shirts have won four straight, including all three games this week to propel the Rangers to first in the Metropolitan, second in the East, and third in the NHL in points.
5. Dallas Stars (32 points)
Dallas has been one of the most overlooked teams to start this season and it has to do with their schedule. The Stars have played just six games, including just two this week. They split the pair of games, suffering a disappointing showing at home against the Maple Leafs.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs (23 points)
Toronto had an impressive week, getting five of a possible six points and picking up an impressive road win in Dallas. This all came after the Maple Leafs opened the week defeating Washington despite being outshot dramatically in the game.
7. Detroit Red Wings (19 points)
The Red Wings lost all three games they played this week, picking up just one point. But Detroit has still looked strong with Dylan Larkin and Alex Debrincat. Goaltending is going to be this team’s biggest question mark this season.
8. New Jersey Devils (13 points)
Four games this week for the Devils six of a possible eight points sounds good, the loss Wednesday night to the Capitals just doesn’t sit right. It was still a good week for New Jersey, but the goaltending and defense are not playing up to last year’s standard. For now, they will need a high-octane offense and the NHL’s best power play to keep carrying the team.
9. Los Angeles Kings (8 points)
The Kings found their way into our rankings this week after getting points in all three games this week, only dropping one point to the Golden Knights. The offense has been strong with Kevin Fiala leading the way. Once Pierre-Luc Dubois gets going, Los Angeles will be among the best of the west consistently.
10. Vancouver Canucks (5 points)
Nobody was happy to see the way Vancouver handled the Bruce Boudreau situation last year, but it was just what the Canucks needed. Under Rick Tocchet, Vancouver has been much more competitive and this season they’ve started strong. They also recorded five of six points this week and players like Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller have been powering the offense.
Others receiving votes: Carolina Hurricanes (3 points), Tampa Bay Lightning (3 points), Philadelphia Flyers (2 points).
How we ranked them.
Ben M: Vegas Golden Knights, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils.
Tom L: Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning.
Mikey D: Vegas Golden Knights, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning.
Arianna F: Vegas Golden Knights, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning.
Parker D: Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks.
Rankings are based on games through Oct. 29.
