The Montreal Canadiens suffered their first home loss of the season on Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers but they still earned a point in that game by forcing overtime. With a 13-2-2 record, the Canadiens are still the class of the NHL right now and at this point there is no reason to believe that will change anytime soon. Meanwhile, the rest of the power rankings received a shakeup with the New York Rangers climbing two spots to second following a strong week while the Western Conference was left with a single representative on the board. Here is a look at the top-five teams in the NHL right now.
Montreal Canadiens (13-2-2)
Last Week: 1
Stanley Cup Odds: +850
Montreal is still 10-0-1 on home ice this season and 13-2-2 overall, so there is no doubt they have been the class of the NHL so far this season. The Canadiens rank third in the NHL with an average of 3.3 goals per game and third in the NHL with an average of 2.2 goals allowed per game. Their top-10 powerplay unit is a big reason for their offensive success with Alex Galchenyuk and Alexander Radulov establishing a high level of chemistry up front while Shea Weber has thrived on the blue line with 13 points in 17 games. Then there is Carey Price, who is 10-0-1 with a 1.63 goals against average and a .948 save percentage. Those are Hart and Vezina trophy-type numbers and it will be almost impossible for the Habs to be bounced from the top spot on this list for as long as Price continues to perform at an all-time elite level.
New York Rangers (13-4-0)
Last Week: 4
Stanley Cup Odds: +850
The Rangers have been among the biggest surprises early on this season with a 4.2 goals per game mark that ranks first in the NHL. New York has received scoring contributions from all four lines early on and they appear to be the biggest threat to Montreal’s supremacy in the Eastern Conference. J.T. Miller, Kevin Hayes, Mika Zibanejad, Michael Grabner and Matz Zuccarello each have at least 13 points while Derek Stepan, Rick Nash and Jimmy Vesey have been steady contributors as well. Meanwhile, Henrik Lundqvist owns a 2.24 goals against average and the Rangers currently rank fourth in goals allowed per game this season. New York ranks in the top-10 in both powerplay and penalty kill percentages and as long as they continue to perform at a high level at both ends of the ice they will remain a staple on this list.
Pittsburgh Penguins (10-3-2)
Last Week: 2
Stanley Cup Odds: +850
Pittsburgh has won seven of its last nine games to improve to 10-3-2 and will really be tested over the next couple of weeks with five of their next six games on the road including a home-and-home series with the Rangers. Sidney Crosby’s return has elevated the Penguins towards the top of the Eastern Conference as he has 10 goals and 13 points through his first nine games. Meanwhile, Evgeni Malkin has 15 points in 15 games and as long as he can stay healthy and productive Pittsburgh will have one of the best 1-2 center tandems in the NHL. Perhaps the most interesting development has been the play of goaltender Matt Murray, who is 4-0-0 with a 1.25 goals against average and a .961 save percentage through four starts. Murray appears to have passed Marc-Andre Fleury as the Penguins’ No. 1 goaltender and the battle between those two capable starters should make Pittsburgh that much better of a team in the long run.
Chicago Blackhawks (11-4-2)
Last Week: 3
Stanley Cup Odds: +850
Just when it seemed like the Blackhawks were poised to take a step back this season they put together seven straight wins and silenced their doubters. However, Chicago has dropped two of three since and will be tested as they continue their seven-game road trip that takes them to the end of November. Artem Anisimov has been the biggest surprise with 17 points in 16 games while Marian Hossa has been revitalized with nine goals and 15 points in 16 games. The Blackhawks need their veterans to perform at an elite level in order to remain an elite team this season and right now everything seems to be coming together in the Windy city.
Washington Capitals (9-4-2)
Last Week: –
Stanley Cup Odds: +850
The San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and even the New Jersey Devils were considered for the final spot on this list but in the end we gave it to the Capitals despite a rough 1-1-2 stretch. Barry Trotz appears to be limiting his veteran’s minutes in an effort to keep them fresh for when it matters most but Washington will need to find its offensive flash in order to avoid falling too far off of the pace in the loaded Metropolitan division. Braden Holtby is 7-3-1 with a 2.16 goals against average and a .922 save percentage so the level of play at that end of the ice has been just fine. Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie and Evgeni Kuznetsov will eventually get going and when they start to heat up the Capitals will start to play to their potential and perform like a team that is capable of contending for the top spot in these power rankings.
