NHL Pacific Division Power Rankings: Week 2

We are back with the second week of the NHL Pacific Division Power Rankings with all teams having between two and five games under the belt so far. There’s a new number one team and a lot of movement which is expected early in the season. Take a read and let us know in the comments where you’d have the teams ranked!

1. Edmonton Oilers (3-0-0, Last Week: #2)

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Results: VAN 2 at EDM 3 (SO), CGY 2 at EDM 5, ANA 5 at EDM 6

Schedule: 10/21 at ARI, 10/22 at VGK

The Oilers jump up to top spot in the power rankings after an impressive 3-0 start to the season, defeating three divisional opponents on home ice. Right now Edmonton looks as dangerous as any team in hockey thanks to its star power on offense but Jesse Puljujarvi riding alongside Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid has resulted in an even better start this year.

2. Vegas Golden Knights (1-1-0, Last Week: #1)

Results: SEA 3 at VGK 4, VGK 2 at LAK 6

Schedule: 10/20 vs STL, 10/22 vs EDM, 10/24 vs NYI, 10/26 at COL

I am hesitant to move the Knights any farther down than second on the list after just one week and only two games. Allowing nine goals in two games isn’t ideal but it’s still far far too early to get any really sense of trends. The big storyline to watch in Vegas right now is injuries after they lost both Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone to injuries this week. If they start to lose games and those two are out longer term, a fall down the rankings is inevitable.

3. San Jose Sharks (2-0-0, Last Week: #8)

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Results: WPG 3 at SJ 4, SJ 5 at MTL 0

Schedule: 10/21 at OTT, 10/22 at TOR, 10/24 at BOS, 10/26 at NSH

Given the pre-season expectations for the team, it seems a bit crazy jumping the Sharks all the way up to #3, but 2-0 is 2-0 which has to be respected. Adin Hill picked up his first shutout with the Sharks by shutting out the hapless Canadiens last night and so far things are alright for San Jose. We should get more of a sense on the team with four more games on this road trip, but for now, in a division that nobody is really looking great outside of Edmonton, sure let’s give them #3.

4. Anaheim Ducks (2-2-0, Last Week: #6)

Results: WPG 1 at ANA 4, MIN 2 at ANA 1, ANA 3 at CGY 2 (OT), ANA 5 at EDM 6

Four games into the season and I would say that the Ducks are more or less what we expected them to be. They are a young team with some skill, but will need to rely on John Gibson for victories more than anything. Gibson made 33 and 41 saves against Winnipeg and Calgary respectively in victories. While the Ducks probably won’t be in the picture at the end of the season, they will not be easy wins either this year as evidenced by their close losses to quality teams in Minnesota and Edmonton.

5. Calgary Flames (0-1-1, Last Week: #5)

Results: CGY 2 at EDM 5, ANA 3 at CGY 2 (OT)

Schedule: 10/21 at DET, 10/23 at WSH, 10/25 at NYR, 10/26 at NJ

The Flames are the only team in the Pacific Division yet to win this season after starting with their patented opening night loss in Edmonton and falling at home to Anaheim in the home opener. Overall the Flames seem to be playing decent hockey but haven’t been able to score more than two goals in either of their games, despite averaging 45 shots per game. A long road trip out East will give them a chance to get things going.

6. Los Angeles Kings (1-2-0, Last Week: #6)

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Results: VGK 2 at LAK 6, MIN 3 at LAK 2, LAK 1 at NSH 2

Schedule: 10/22 at DAL, 10/23 at STL, 10/25 at STL

Kind of similar to the Ducks, the Kings are what they are. However I think one unexpected development this season has been Anze Kopitar who currently leads the league in goals with five and points with eight through three games. As mentioned before, it’s obviously way too early to draw conclusions on anything but Kopitar has set himself up a nice little nest egg of points as he tries to go over a point per game for the first time since 2017-18. The Kings will probably need a huge season from Kopitar to stay in the playoff conversation, but he will be a storyline to watch over the coming weeks.

7. Vancouver Canucks (1-2-1, Last Week: #4)

Results: VAN 2 at EDM 3 (SO), VAN 5 at PHI 4 (SO), VAN 1 at DET 3, VAN 2 at BUF 5

Schedule: 10/21 at CHI, 10/23 at SEA, 10/26 vs MIN

Vancouver falls from #4 to #7 after a pair of frankly really disappointing losses. There should be no reason a team with talent like the Canucks should lose in regulation to both the Red Wings and Sabres. While it is still early in the season, those will be four points that they could very well look back at in April as missed opportunities. On the injury front we will have to watch Quinn Hughes who missed the Buffalo game for an unspecified reason.

8. Seattle Kraken (1-3-1, Last Week: #3)

Results: SEA 3 at VGK 4, SEA 4 at NSH 3, SEA 1 at CBJ 2 (OT), SEA 1 at PHI 6, SEA 2 at NJ 4

Schedule: 10/23 vs VAN, 10/26 vs MTL

While having the Kraken at third was probably a bit optimistic/nice from me, it’s hard fall for the NHL’s newest team as they finish a five game road trip by picking up just three of a possible ten points. It could have been even less than that as they were outshot 13-1 in the third period of their lone win in Nashville. Seattle will head home now for their first ever home game which should be an absolutely amazing sight as they take on their Pacific Northwest rivals from Vancouver.

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