In this edition of the hotstove we share our power rankings of the league's best teams. Records, strength of schedule, underlying numbers, etc. all factor into the rankings.
Todd Cordell
1. Tampa Bay Lightning (3-0-0)
They're off to a perfect start and managed to pull out a win in their heavyweight fight against the Florida Panthers. So far so good for my Stanley Cup pick.
2. San Jose Sharks (3-1-0)
They're a top-5 possession team, top-2 in scoring chance for% and they've won three of their first four despite playing only one home game. They're going to be fantastic again this season.
3. Florida Panthers (2-0-1)
No Jonathan Huberdeau, no Nick Bjugstad and the Fancy Cats are still unlucky not to be 3-0-0.
4. Washington Capitals (2-0-1)
Their only loss came in a shootout to last year's Stanley Cup champs. They'll contend for the division title again this season.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins (2-1-1)
No Sidney Crosby, no Matt Murray and they're still off to a pretty good start.
Honorable mention: Vancouver Canucks. I very much doubt this lasts but they're 3-0-0, 1st in possession and 1st in scoring chance for%.
Peter Tessier
And the Power Rankings are back here's what we can conclude based on the smallest sample size yet.
#5 Montreal- dismantling the champs 4-0 says something but what?
#4 Canucks- because things always end well for the Canucks when they start like this
#3 Edmonton- so what you lost to Buffalo you have scored 17 goals so far!
#2 Tampa Bay- I flipped a coin they lost to number one.
#1- St. Louis- You won a coin flip, maybe try that for game decisions in the playoffs huh?
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