NHL Pacific Division Power Rankings: Week 3

Another week has gone by in the NHL and we have updated our weekly Pacific Division Power Rankings. Among this week’s changes is two teams jumping up three spots while others fall back. Edmonton maintains their first place ranking for the time being and will have their undefeated season on the line three times this week. Here are the rankings for Week 3!

1. Edmonton Oilers (5-0-0, 2-0-0, Last Week: #1)

Results: EDM 5 at ARI 1, EDM 5 at VGK 3

Schedule: 10/27 vs PHI, 10/30 at VAN, 11/01 vs SEA

The Oilers continue to look like one of the NHL’s best teams after picking up two more wins this past week with a road trip to the desert. Edmonton is just one of four teams who are still undefeated and outside of a shootout win in their first game, they have looked very comfortable in doing so. They will have a chance to add to their win totals this week as they don’t face particularly strong opponents. One thing to watch will be Mikko Koskinen as Mike Smith battles an injury that caused him to miss their last two games.

2. Calgary Flames (4-1-1, 4-0-0, Last Week: #5)

Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images

Results: CGY 3 at DET 0, CGY 4 at WSH 3 (OT), CGY 5 at NYR 1, CGY 5 at NJ 3

Schedule: 10/28 at PIT, 10/30 vs PHI, 11/02 vs NSH

The Flames have jumped all the way to the #2 position thanks to an impressive four game win streak to kick off their current road trip. After a pair of rather unlucky losses to start the season, Calgary has looked really strong in picking up four victories over Eastern Conference opponents. Andrew Mangiapane and Elias Lindholm have led the way for the Flames as both have seven goals through the first six games of the season.

3. San Jose Sharks (4-2-0, 2-2-0, Last Week: #3)

Results: SJ 2 at OTT 1, SJ 5 at TOR 3, SJ 3 at BOS 4, SJ 1 at NSH 3

Schedule: 10/28 vs MTL, 10/30 vs WPG, 11/02 vs BUF

After sitting at an impressive 4-0 mark earlier in the week, the Sharks have fallen back to Earth a bit with a pair of losses to close out their five game road trip. Is San Jose actually better than expected or did they just take advantage of three Eastern Canadian clubs who have struggled out of the gate? That remains to be seen as they start a five game homestand this week with Montreal coming to town. Leading the way for the Sharks have been Logan Couture and Timo Meier with nine points each through the first six games.

4. Vancouver Canucks (3-3-1, 2-1-0, Last Week: #7)

Photo by Abbie Parr/NHLI via Getty Images

Results: VAN 4 at CHI 1, VAN 4 at SEA 2, MIN 3 at VAN 2

Schedule: 10/28 vs PHI, 10/30 vs EDM, 11/02 vs NYR

Despite the home ice loss to Minnesota to end the week, the Canucks did a pretty good job of coming back from a pair of disheartening losses to Buffalo and Detroit early on their road trip. Vancouver picked up a win in Chicago before spoiling the party in Seattle’s home opener which is definitely a good step to becoming a hated rival. So far this season it looks like making the blockbuster trade for Conor Garland and OEL was a good move for the Canucks but we will wait to see the long term ramifications of the latter’s contract and how Dylan Guenther develops.

5. Vegas Golden Knights (2-4-0, 1-3-0, Last Week: #2)

Results: STL 3 at VGK 1, EDM 5 at VGK 3, NYI 2 at VGK 0, VGK 3 at COL 1

Schedule: 10/27 at DAL, 10/29 vs ANA, 11/02 at TOR

The Golden Knights were able to halt a four game losing streak with a somewhat unexpected 3-1 victory in Colorado on Tuesday night. The Knights have struggled with the losses of Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty to injury early in the season as they scored just six goals in the four games they lost. Losing three straight home games is quite concerning for a team like Vegas who has often feasted on home ice during their existence. They are rumored to be back in the Jack Eichel hunt and if this isn’t their season, perhaps it might make sense to go after him for the long term.

6. Seattle Kraken (2-4-1, 1-1-0, Last Week: #8)

Photo by Abbie Parr/NHLI via Getty Images

Results: VAN 4 at SEA 2, MTL 1 at SEA 5

Schedule: 10/28 vs MIN, 10/31 vs NYR, 11/01 at EDM

The Kraken finally broke the losing streak on Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens and got their first win on home ice in the process. Obviously this will be more of a typical expansion season for the Kraken but I still expect them to be competitive in the majority of their games. Also, their new(ish) arena is absolutely gorgeous and is definitely on my list of places I need to see a game at. Look out for Brandon Tanev who already has five goals this season.

7. Anaheim Ducks (2-4-1, 0-2-1, Last Week: #4)

Results: ANA 1 at WPG 5, ANA 3 at MIN 4 (OT), WPG 4 at ANA 3

Schedule: 10/28 vs BUF, 10/29 at VGK, 10/31 vs MTL, 11/02 vs NJ

It was a rough week for the Ducks with three straight losses including an overtime loss in Minnesota followed by a heartbreaking home ice loss to the Jets. Winnipeg was down 3-2 with 1:20 to go but Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice in 19 seconds to win the game and deny Anaheim from even getting a point. It will be a long year for the Ducks more than likely, but expect them to hang around as their younger players gain NHL experience.

8. Los Angeles Kings (1-4-1, 0-2-1, Last Week: #6)

Results: LAK 2 at DAL 3 (OT), LAK 3 at STL 7, LAK 0 at STL 3

Schedule: 10/28 vs WPG, 10/30 vs MTL, 10/31 vs BUF

Despite Anze Kopitar having a comeback season, the rest of the Kings team is really struggling which isn’t totally unexpected. They are still a team in the midst of transition but I personally thought they could be at least on the fringe of being competitive this season. Instead the Kings have lost five in a row since an opening night win over Vegas and it seems like the lottery will be the only thing Los Angeles will be contending for this season.