Power Poll: Week 8

This past Wednesday the Minnesota Wild welcomed back Forward Pierre Marc Bouchard to the line-up for the 1st time since the 2009-10 season opener.

He missed 81 games last year due to post-concussion syndrome stemming from a hit in March of 2009. In his 1st three games back for the Wild he has a goal and an assist while averaging 14:41 minutes of ice time per game.

His time on ice per game should increase as the season moves along and Wild fans can only hope he can keep finding his name on the scoresheet as they are having trouble scoring goals this season averaging 2.42 goals per game.

Here now is the Power Poll for Week eight.

1. (1) Washington  18-8-2  38 points

Acquisition of Scott Hannan from Colorado could be the shutdown defenseman this team has been lacking.

2. (4) Pittsburgh 18-8-2  38 points

See what a nine game winning streak can do

3. (2) Philadelphia 17-7-4  38 points

With Michael Leighton close to returning from injury the Flyers have some decisions to make in goal. 

4. (3) Detroit 17-4-3  37 points

Worst case scenario for Mike Modano's wrist injury, 8-10 weeks.

5. (5) Montreal 17-8-2  36 points

Habs are 7-1-1 in their last nine home games

6. (6) Tampa Bay 15-9-3  33 points

Steven Stamkos has gone four games without a goal

7. (15) Dallas  16-8-1  33 points

Stars are 8-1-1 in their last ten games

8. (7) NY Rangers  16-12-1  33 points

Looking for payback in Ottawa on Thursday after 3-1 loss to the Senators on Sunday.

9. (8) Chicago 15-12-2  32 points

lose Patrick Kane to a lower body injury in win over Calgary over Sunday

10. (13) Phoenix  13-7-6  32 points

It's not always pretty but the Coyotes find a way to win hockey games

11. (10) Vancouver 14-8-3  31 points

Canucks are retiring Markus Naslund's jersey this Saturday night

12. (17) Boston 14-8-3  31 points

Is Marco Sturm on his way out due to the Bruins Salary Cap issues?

13. (12) Atlanta 14-10-3  31 points

Thrashers have won seven of their last eight games

14. (16) Los Angeles 15-10-0  30 points

Kings get back into the winner's circle with back to back wins over Florida & Detroit.

15. (11) St. Louis 13-9-4  30 points 

Andy McDonald is day to day with an upper body injury 

16. (9) Columbus 14-10-1  29 points 

Winless in their last five games 

17. (14) Colorado 13-10-3  29 points 

Acquisition of Tomas Fleischmann gives the Avs another scoring threat.

18. (19) Anaheim 13-13-3  29 points 

Have been shutout in back to back games. 

19. (20) Nashville 12-8-5  29 points 

Goaltender Pekka Rinne out two to four weeks with a left knee injury.

20. (18) San Jose 12-9-4  28 points 

Three game road trip ends tonight in Detroit with the Sharks looking to avenge 5-3 loss to the Wings last Tuesday. 

21. (20) Minnesota 11-11-4  26 points 

GM Chuck Fletcher says he will team responsible before coach Todd Richards. 

22. (23) Ottawa 12-14-2  26 points 

Chris Neil scores all three goals in win over the Rangers on Sunday 

23. (24) Buffalo 11-13-3  25 points 

Ryan Miller posts back to back shutouts in wins over Columbus & Ottawa. 

24. (21) Carolina 11-12-3  25 points 

Five day break comes at a good time with only ten players able to practice on Monday. 

25. (29) Edmonton 10-12-4  24 points 

Don't look now but the Oilers have won four straight 

26. (26) Calgary 11-14-2  24 points 

Rematch of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals against Tampa on Tuesday in Calgary 

27. (25) Florida 11-14-0  22 points 

Rematch of the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals against Colorado this Tuesday in Miami. 

28. (27) Toronto 9-12-4  22 points 

Best of luck to the Leafs as they face the top four teams in the Eastern conference this week. 

29. (28) New Jersey 8-16-2  18 points 

As of right now John MacLean is still the coach of the Devils 

30. (30) NY Islanders 5-15-5 15 points 

Former captain Bill Guerin calls it a career after 18 seasons