Power Poll Week 3

Well we are into week three of the Power Poll and some teams are starting to settle in to where they will likely be for the rest of the season. 

If you are ranked near the bottom chances are you probably will be golfing instead of playing hockey this spring. If you are near the top, well I wouldn't start printing playoff tickets but keep playing this way and the post-season will look probable.

Anyway here are the rankings for week 3.

1. (2) Los Angeles                 8-3-0               16 points

Best record in the NHL even with drew Doughty out of the lineup 

2. (4) Tampa Bay                   7-2-1               15 points

Steven Stamkos (10 G, 9 A) is an early favorite for the Hart Trophy

3. (5) Montreal                      7-3-1               15 points

Maybe G.M. Pierre Gauthier knew what he was doing when he traded Halak instead of Price.

4. (7) Chicago                        7-5-1               15 points

Defenseman Brian Campbell makes his return tonight against the Rangers

5. (9) Washington                  7-4-0               14 points

Hardly noticed Alex Ovechkin on the ice at Xcel last Thursday until he scored late in the 3rd period. 

6. (12) St. Louis                       6-1-2               14 points

Jay McClement scores 1st Hat trick in win over Atlanta on Saturday

7. (3) Detroit                          6-2-1               13 points

Wings are getting ready for a trip to Western Canada for three games this week. 

8. (23) Philadelphia                  6-4-1               13 points

Biggest mover in the Poll. Looking for their 4th straight win tonight against Carolina. 

9. (18) Colorado                      6-4-1               13 points

Chris Stewart (9G, 7 A) is 2nd in the league in scoring 

10. (6) Pittsburgh                     6-5-1               13 points

Big fan of the Penguins Winter classic Jerseys

11. (1) Nashville                      5-2-3               13 points

Lost twice in regulation last week for the 1st time all season.

12. (16) Boston                         6-2-0               12 points

Tim Thomas has a save % of .984 & a GAA of 0.50 this season.

13. (11) Columbus                     6-4-0               12 points

Currently last in the Central Division and only three points out of 1st. 

14. (8) Dallas                           6-4-0               12 points 
Andrew Raycroft shuts out Buffalo in his first game for the Stars 

15. (10) Calgary                        6-5-0               12 points

Looked flat in 7-2 loss to Washington on Saturday
 
16. (22) Atlanta                         5-4-2               12 points

Ondrej Pavelic returns to lineup after collapsing on the ice in the team's opener

17. (21) San Jose                       5-3-1               11 points
It's still early but they need to pick it up before the Kings start to pull away in the Pacific

18. (14) NY Rangers                 5-4-1               11 points
Ahead of Toronto due to their 2-0 win on Saturday 

19. (15) Toronto                        5-4-1               11 points

See above 

20. (17) Carolina                       5-5-0               10 points

Keeping Jeff Skinner instead of sending him back to juniors looks likely for the Canes 

21. (19) Vancouver                    4-3-2               10 points

Daniel Sedin (7G, 11A) a bright spot in a slow start for the Canucks

22. (20) Minnesota                    4-4-2               10 points

This team needs to find a way to stay out of the penalty box.
 
23. (13) NY Islanders                4-5-2               10 points

After a 6-1 loss to Philadelphia last week the Islanders are 1-13-3 in their last 17 games against the Flyers.    

24. (28) Ottawa                         4-6-1               9 points

Jason Spezza returned to the Ottawa lineup after missing four games because of a groin injury

25. (25) Anaheim                       4-7-1               9 points

Ryan Getzlaf (4G, 11A) off to a  good start despite the Ducks struggles
 
26. (26) Phoenix                        3-4-3               9 points

Defenseman Adrian Aucoin says the wins will come if the Coyotes start out working their opponents
 

27. (27) Florida                         4-5-0               8 points
With the NBA season starting for the Miami Heat will anyone in South Florida notice the Panthers? 

28. (30) Edmonton                     3-4-2               8 points

Oilers haven't lost in regulation in the last three games (1-0-2)

29. (24) Buffalo                         3-7-2               8 points

Division title looks out of reach and chances for a playoff berth may be in jeopardy 

30. (29) New Jersey                  3-8-1               7 points

Think Kovalchuk regrets not signing with Los Angeles

That will do it for today. I plan on being back later this week with a peek at my picks & I have one more column I am working on. Hope to have that done by Friday.

Thanks for reading & enjoy the hockey.