Week 2

The Local Blues did not have a very good week while other teams in the western conference had very good weeks.

1) New York Rangers (4-1)- The team has won 4 in a row after outshooting and outplaying the Penguins on their banner night resulting in their only loss. The best powerplay in the league is quaterbacked by 19 year old Michael Del Zotto. 2g 3a’s

2) Pittsburgh Penguins (4-1)- The cup champs dont look to have a hangover. I can see that change in roughly 2 months due to their short off season break.

3) Philadelphia Flyers (3-1-1) – This team has a good offense, good defense ; however their goaltending was shakey last week and the goaltending will determine a lot for this team.

4) Calgary Flames (4-1) – The defense is solid and the kipper looks good so far. A team that seems stacked lacks depth up front.

5) Los Angeles Kings (4-1) – This team has it all. They are a young team that is coming through on all pre season expectations SO FAR. A bad opening night is the teams only negative at this point. Weak schedule as well.

6) Columbus Blue Jackets (3-1) – Steve Mason sophomore slump ? Nope. He actually looks better this season.

7) Colorado Avanlanche (3-1-1) – This team will go as Anderson in goal goes. I have watched the Av’s a lot this season and I never give Anderson enough credit he is a solid goalie.

8 ) San Jose Sharks (3-2) – The Dany Heatley arrival seems to be paying dividens already, this could be the year they look pretty good.

9) Ottawa Senators (3-1) – The Sens have had good performances from Pascal LeClaire in net and the team looks to surprise as many never thought about the Sens as a playoff team.

10) Washington Capitals (2-2-1) – The Capitals at no.10 , some will question this but they played 2 teams (Red Wings, Rangers) who are top tier teams and did not look good at all. Ovie has cooled off if there is such a thing.

Just Missing the cut – Red Wings, Blues and Oilers look to arrive on the scene pretty soon. The Blues didnt play that awful but the record 0-2 was awful.

Surprising Player – The St. Louis Blues have a lot of of young and upcoming stars. Fans often think about Berglund, Backes, Oshie, Johnson, Eller, Perron, Pietrangelo and the young kids but Steen is still a youngster and he was a first round pick. Out of all the young kids Steen aside from Johnson has easily looked the best.

…As I type here on a monday afternoon the number one team in these rankings are roughly 10 minutes into their monday game and already have a 2-0 lead.

Week 1

I will be posting a TOP 10 Rankings for the NHL every week so you are able to read and crtique. I was able to watch every game on the electric saturday the NHL had. I also saw quite a bit of the weeknight games thanks to my Center Ice program and live online feeds. A few teams stick out to me this week, but a few have some glaring issues. In the Southeast the Capitals look to be the best team in the world but may exit the playoffs late again as their goaltending is still good – not great. The Penguins look ok, but I cannot see them making it to the Cup finals again REMEMBER this would be their third in a row … Odds are against them.

1) Washington Capitals (2-0) : The Caps have outscored their opponents 10-5 this season. The Alexander’s are already in mid season form. The offense is the most explosive in the league no question.

2) Philadelphia Flyers (2-0) : Maybe the most underated team on the list and probably should be at number 1. This team has only given up 2 goals so far. Then again they played the Hurricanes to a 2-0 game. Although many will argue I see the Offense and Goal tending an issue long term, but Ray Emery has looked good so far.

3) St. Louis Blues (2-0) : If the season was two games long this team would be tops in the west. Their special teams are definitely special. The PP and PK along with clutch goaltending helps the team to a swedish sweep. Having a healthy Kariya and the never die attitude doesnt hurt either.

4) Pittsburgh Penguins (2-0) : The Pens get some respect from me in large part to them being current champs. MAF stole them a win in goal on friday night where the team let up after the start of the game. In their second game they beat the lowly Islanders in a shootout. This team does not impress me at all.

5) Montreal Canadiens (2-0) : Some free agents proving to be good so far. The Price is right as Carey has led this team to this start. I dont see this team going far with Markov gone.

6) Colorado Avalanche (2-0) : A hard working team has already peaked. As they wave goodbye to Super Joe they welcome Matt Duchene the 2010 Rookie of the Year.

7) New York Rangers (1-1): A powerplay that will rival the Caps and a young D core that will rival the Blues. The best goalie in the east this team will overachieve this season.

8 ) Chicago Blackhawks (1-0-1): Zurich really??? what am I thinking with the Hawks at 8. How about their shot production and the fact that Taxicab Kane looks really really good unfortunately.

9) Calgary Khabibulins … Flames (2-0) : The Bulin what… I really like Nikolai and feel really bad for him after seeing that misplay. Im on the edge of my seat as the Oilers almost take the lead of the Kipper but then FACEPALM… The Flames have good special teams but are possibly the worst even strength team Ive watched in this early season…

10) Boston Bruins (1-1) : A tough loss to the leagues best team and then wrecked the Hurricanes. Flyers score 2 on the Canes and the B’s go nuts. The Bruins are good and will be near the top all year long.

Who ?

Matt Duchene is a beast. Anyone who knows hockey knows this guy is something special. If you have a chance to catch a Avalanche game on TV or in person please do as Matt Duchene is full of Oshie Energy.

Wheres Waldo ?

Teams who are expected to make the Cut… The Red Wings Goalie situation is comical. The Leafs are really in a tailspin already and the Islanders …. well I feel bad for the Islanders and their fans. It is a history rich organization that is getting bent over. Also the Kings have disappointed me they looked awful against the Coyotes.