Anyone noticing a sudden jolt of goals lately? Four teams have already reached seven goals in a game. The Chicago Blackhawks are one of those teams, getting seven on Tuesday night. That was three days after Richard Panik shocked the NHL with his first career hat trick. That has helped the Blackhawks make a slight recovery in the NHL Power Rankings.
Mike Green, Patrik Laine, and Joe Colborne have also recorded hat tricks of their own, while things are getting much worse down in Southern California.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning (6 points)
Previously 2 (2 points)
The Lightning love to live on the edge. After coming back from two goals down in their first two games, they needed a Steven Stamkos goal (from a sharp angle) with five seconds remaining to send Tuesday night’s game into overtime. The first Florida battle had a controversial shootout, but Brayden Point scored the final goal to keep Tampa Bay undefeated. Point, a third round pick in 2014, had his first career point when Valtteri Filppula tipped in the game-winning goal against New Jersey on Saturday.
2. Florida Panthers (5 points)
Previously 1 (2 points)
Vincent Trocheck initially whiffed on a shootout attempt on Tuesday, but he regained control of the puck and scored. The referees actually counted it, extending the shootout against Tampa Bay, but Florida would eventually lose. Trocheck had two goals for the week, including a very early one against Detroit on Saturday, but Jonathan Marchessault leads the team with four points. Also, those road jerseys look great!
3. St. Louis Blues (7 points)
Previously 3 (4 points)
There goes the perfect season. After three impressive wins against last year’s playoff teams, they became the third team to lose in extra time against the Canucks. I guess they wanted to join the party with Calgary and Carolina. Vladimir Tarasenko has been a breath of fresh air for the Blues. After taking over Opening Night in Chicago, he had two points against the Rangers and a beautiful snipe against Vancouver.
4. Washington Capitals (5 points)
Previously 5 (1 point)
After honoring Braden Holtby for winning the Vezina Trophy last season, Washington got a dazzling goalie performance from Holtby’s backup. Philipp Grubauer recorded his first career shutout against the Avalanche on Tuesday, marking the first time a team has failed to score in a game this season. The way the German has played since the beginning of last year, his name may be mentioned before the trade deadline.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins (5 points)
Previously 4 (2 points)
After two close victories at home, the defending Stanley Cup Champions have hit a rut. Gabriel Landeskog torched the Pens late with two goals, including one in overtime. Then they were shut out in Montreal’s home opener on Tuesday. With Matt Murray still recovering from a broken hand, Pittsburgh added former Canadien Mike Condon to back up Mark-Andre Fleury.
6. Dallas Stars (4 points)
Previously 6 (2 points)
The Stars revisited old issues when they scored five goals and still lost to Colorado, but things took a wide turn on Tuesday. Despite struggling offensively, Kari Lehtonen allowed just one goal on 28 shots against Nashville. Patrick Eaves had three assists during the first week, including two in the loss to the Avalanche.
7. San Jose Sharks (6 points)
Previously 7 (2 points)
San Jose’s early season roll was extinguished in Manhattan, so Martin Jones took a break and Aaron Dell made his NHL debut. It took a Joe Pavelski tip-in with two minutes left in regulation to give the Airdrie, Alberta native his first career victory. Now the Sharks get to return to Pittsburgh for a heavily anticipated Stanley Cup rematch.
8. Montreal Canadiens (5 points)
Previously 8 (2 points)
P.K. Subban is not coming back to Montreal (as a Canadien, at least), but the fans still are. They got a treat in the home opener. David Desharnais had two goals, while Al Montoya continued his hot start to the season, shutting out Pittsburgh on Tuesday. His GAA of 1.30 is second lowest for goalies with multiple starts, with Roberto Luongo being the only goalie with a lower total (0.98 gpg). Yet Montoya will inevitably give way to Carey Price shortly.
9. Chicago Blackhawks (4 points)
Previously 12 (0 points)
From panic attack to Panik attack. Richard Panik gave the Blackhawks their first win of the season on Saturday when he scored his first career hat trick. Then Marian Hossa scored his 500th career goal against Philly on Tuesday. Chicago would need the Artem Anisimov-Artemi Panarin-Patrick Kane line to put the Flyers away, but each player had at least three points on the night.
10. New York Rangers (4 points)
Previously 9 (2 points)
The Rangers have survived two high scoring home games, including one on a Henrik Lundqvist rest day. With the defense continuing to fall apart – Pavel Buchnevich, Kevin Klein, and Dan Girardi were all injured against the Sharks on Monday – Antti Raanta did just enough to win his first start of the season, saving 27 of San Jose’s 31 shots. Former first round pick Chris Kreider continues to impress, with an assist in four straight games, and Jimmy Vesey scored his first NHL goal on Monday.
11. Nashville Predators (2 points)
Previously 10 (–)
After a memorable start to the season, the Preds have had less luck. They suffered two division losses over the past four days and find themselves in a familiar comeback mode. Colin Wilson is hoping to improve after an underwhelming six goals in 2015-2016, and he got first of the season on a rebound shot against Chicago on Saturday.
12. Edmonton Oilers (6 points)
Previously 18 (2 points)
It is hard to get used to the Oilers outside of Rexall Place, but that is not the only thing different in Edmonton. Connor McDavid earned first star of the week and the Oilers suddenly look dangerous. That, of course, is expected when you draft the hottest prospect of the decade. Kris Russell has been a heavy beneficiary, with two of his three second assists coming on McDavid goals.
13. Ottawa Senators (6 points)
Previously 19
Another Canadian team off to a hot start! The difference between them and Edmonton is that they are still undefeated at home. In fact, they have been impressive at the Canadian Tire Centre, with 15 goals over their first three home games and 2-0 in extra time. Erik Karlsson has a point in his first four games, and his empty-net goal on Tuesday puts him at a tie for second in points scored (7). Brent Burns currently holds the lead (8).
14. Philadelphia Flyers (3 points)
Previously 14 (–)
Not bad for the road trip. They ruined LA’s 50-year celebration, but they could only get one point between Arizona and Chicago. At least the Flyers made the Blackhawks sweat when they came back from a 4-0 to tie the game in the third period. Matt Read went off in those two losses, forcing overtime in Glendale and scoring two more goals in Chicago. Can he continue that run at home?
15. Buffalo Sabres (3 points)
Previously 17 (0 points)
Not all hope is lost. They hit the road after an awful game against Montreal. After beating up on Edmonton, they gave way in an overtime loss to the Flames. Now they have to solve the undefeated Canucks, which is possible if they can avoid overtime. Ryan O’Reilly willed the Sabres to victory against the Oilers, with two goals and two assists for the night.
16. New York Islanders (2 points)
Previously 13 (0 points)
Four games against four playoff teams. Not the way they wanted to start the season. They got just one overtime win out of those games, so they must take advantage of the rest of their October schedule, which only features two playoff teams in five games. John Tavares has been held to just two points, and the team is currently 26th in goals scored coming out of the gate.
17. Anaheim Ducks (1 point)
Previously 15 (0 points)
This team will plummet if they cannot figure things out at home. Their offense is at least doing something, unlike last October, but the results are still not there. They have one more game out east before hosting the Canucks on Sunday. John Gibson has slowly improved after Dallas touched him up in Game 1. His only issues on Tuesday were against Taylor Hall, but he made 26 saves on 28 New Jersey shots for the night.
18. Winnipeg Jets (4 points)
Previously 17 (2 points)
The strength of their schedule has been middling, and they had only salvaged two points against Carolina. They then allowed four goals to Minnesota, Boston, and Toronto, and they were 0-10 on the Power Play. Then Patrik Laine ended the skid with a PP goal to help the Jets come from four down to tie the Leafs game up with under a minute left. He sealed the game and his first career hat trick in overtime. Mark Scheifele had a goal and two assists on Wednesday to double his point total for the season.
19. Calgary Flames (3 points)
Previously 19 (0 points)
The Oilers look like the better Alberta team, and the Canucks know how to win in extra time. Fortunately for the Flames, the Johnny Gaudreau/Sean Monahan tandem came just in time. Last year’s home game against Buffalo was thrilling, and this one had a similar feel, as Monahan took a Gaudreau pass and finished off the Sabres. It was just the second point for both players.
20. Boston Bruins (4 points)
Previously 23 (2 points)
Yikes. The Bruins have struggled to find Tuukka Rask’s backup for a while, and it would be nice if they still had Chad Johnson, who was solid in Buffalo and is off to another great start in Calgary. Anton Khudobin was torched in Toronto to begin his second stint in Boston. He had a 2.32 GAA and nine wins in 14 starts with Boston in 2013, so there is a glimmer of hope. Thankfully, Rask has looked solid in his first two starts, with a save percentage barely under 94% and two wins.
21. Minnesota Wild (4 points)
Previously 24 (0 points)
Let’s get crazy! Maybe the late Prince has inspired the Wild, for his music rocks the Xcel Energy Center after every Minnesota goal. Minnesota has scored 10 times in their first two home games. Erik Haula and Jason Pominville had an excellent first period against Los Angeles, with each tallying a goal and an assist.
22. Detroit Red Wings (4 points)
Previously 21 (0 points)
After losing both games in the Sunshine State, the Wings have rebounded nicely. Mike Green got his first career hat trick in the final home opener in Joe Louis Arena history, but Thomas Vanek may be the biggest surprise. With three goals and three assists (all three assists were against Ottawa), Vanek looks to have settled into Detroit quite nicely. The concern is whether he can remain consistent.
23. New Jersey Devils (3 points)
Previously 22 (1 point)
Another team that has only benefitted from an Anaheim visit. After struggling against the Florida teams, they finally got a win in their home opener. Taylor Hall scored both goals in the win, his first points as a Devil.
24. Vancouver Canucks (6 points)
Previously 29 (–)
Not sure if this will hold up for the entire season, but they have been impressive. In three home games, Vancouver is undefeated after coming through in extra time…thrice! Brandon Sutter had a memorable week, winning the shootout against Calgary and flushing the Hurricanes with the overtime goal on Sunday. In less exciting news, relatively speaking, Henrik Sedin had the overtime goal on Tuesday.
25. Colorado Avalanche (4 points)
Previously 27
They have trailed 2-0 in their first three games. After getting out of trouble against Dallas and Pittsburgh, they fell flat against Washington. Joe Colborne’s career in Colorado started off brilliantly. He scored a hat trick against the Stars, and everyone not named Auston Matthews envied him.
26. Arizona Coyotes (2 points)
Previously 26 (–)
Arizona used the power of Oliver Ekman-Larsson to beat Philly in overtime, but the six-game road trip in under way. Things went terribly in Ottawa. Not only did the Senators score seven times, but Mike Smith had to be taken out of the game with a concerning lower body injury. Also, Ottawa got to Louis Domingue very quickly. Looks like Arizona could be joining the Kings in the Pacific Division cellar with no #1 goalie.
27. Toronto Maple Leafs (4 points)
Previously 28 (2 points)
Things looked good after they crushed Boston at home, but they have become the second victim of Winnipeg’s dramatics. This time, the Jets one-upped their performance from Thursday and came back from four down. Not a good look for the Leafs. At least Nazem Kadri had a solid game, for he scored twice before the sky fell on Toronto.
28. Los Angeles Kings (0 points)
Previously 11 (0 points)
Must be time to give Jonathan Quick the Hart Trophy. The value he has to the Kings is quite evident. A team that struggles offensively now has no defense, as the team is now in the bottom 10 in both GPG and GAA. Not good. Tanner Pearson had two goals in his first game on the season on Tuesday. He had been suspended for hitting Brandon Davidson in the head during the preseason.
29. Carolina Hurricanes (2 points)
Previously 25 (1 point)
Carolina is basically the opposite of Vancouver; they cannot seem to get things done in extra time. Things went even further south when they blew up a 3-0 lead and subsequently lost in overtime for the second straight game on Sunday against the Canucks. Lee Stempniak had two goals against Edmonton on Tuesday, but it was not enough for the Hurricanes to complete a comeback of their own.
30. Columbus Blue Jackets (0 points)
Previously 30 (0 points)
Columbus, like Arizona, has only played twice, the fewest in the NHL, but they are only one of two teams without a point. They are already having another bad start to the season, and John Tortorella already received heat for his troubles with Team USA. Zach Werenski, the eighth overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft, scored his first NHL goal against the Sharks on Saturday.
Bold Predictions:
Last week:
Connor McDavid with the hat trick against Buffalo on Sunday – Not even close. Buffalo had Edmonton’s number all night long.
Colorado defeats Washington, 3-0, on Tuesday – Right score, but Washington won.
New York Rangers defeat Detroit in overtime on Wednesday: on a J.T. Miller goal with less than 10 seconds remaining – He could have used one in the same scenario in regulation
This week:
Evgeni Malkin gets the overtime goal in the Stanley Cup rematch on Thursday
Brent Burns has a goal and two assists against Detroit on Saturday
Johnny Gaudreau gets the hat trick against the Blackhawks on Sunday