Senators rise to top after the season's opening week

NHL fans ushered in the 2005-06 season in a huge way on opening night, packing arenas to more than 98 percent capacity and establishing a single-date record for total attendance. Eleven of the 15 games were sellouts. But how long will the marriage last?

Of course, it helped that the league implemented new rules to make the game more exciting. A total of 95 goals, an average of 6.33 per game, were scored in the 15 games Wednesday. This represents a 30 percent increase over the average of 4.9 in 2003-04. Here's hoping this brand of hockey becomes the norm and not the exception.

Quick tidbit for the week: Sidney Crosby will not be the Rookie of the Year.

NHL Power Rankings Rank LW Team 1 3 Ottawa Senators (2-0-0) Things didn't get off to a smooth start at home when, after player introductions, captain Daniel Alfredsson attempted to address the fans -- ostensibly to thank them for coming out after the lockout -- but his microphone failed to work. At least things on the ice are going smoothly, thanks to 40-year-old Dominik Hasek and his microscopic 0.97 GAA. 2 7 Detroit Red Wings (3-0-0) With hockey back, a lot of people benefit. The Anchor Bar in Detroit sold 100 more of its signature Avah burgers last week than the week before. And the Sweet Water Tavern churned out 500 more pounds of chicken wings. It's safe to say hockey fans have their appetites back. 3 2 Philadelphia Flyers (1-1-0) While some of the statistics aren't pretty (just 1-for-15 on the power play and under 70 percent killing power plays), this team has more than enough talent to patch up any glaring holes. And in Friday's 5-2 win over New Jersey, five players managed at least two points. 4 6 Vancouver Canucks (1-0-1) Even thugs have a sensitive side. Marvin and Robert Lipka were staying at the same hotel as the Canucks. Marvin, who suffered a strokes two years ago that makes it difficult for him to speak, approached Todd Bertuzzi for an autograph in the lobby. A short time later, Bertuzzi had tickets to Saturday's game sent to the Lipkas' hotel room. 5 9 Nashville Predators (2-0-0) Owner Craig Leipold guaranteed any first-time hockey fans their money back if they didn't have fun at last Saturday's game against Anaheim. It's safe to say there aren't many complaints about the Preds, who started 2-0 for the first time in the franchise's seven-year history. 6 1 Calgary Flames (1-2-0) It's rather elementary: You can't score if you don't shoot, as the Flames were outshot 22-4 in the first period of a 6-3 loss at Detroit on Sunday. And it doesn't help when your No. 1 goalie has given up 11 goals in less than three full games. 7 8 Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1-0) Just another sign that hockey players are tough: Dan Boyle left Saturday's game after getting hit in the chin with a puck. He took 24 stitches to his lower lip and returned the next period. What might be equally tough is getting a puck past John Grahame, who started 2-1 with a 1.35 GAA. 8 10 Anaheim Mighty Ducks (1-0-1) The Ducks lost to the Predators 3-2 in a shootout Saturday, as former Duck Paul Kariya scored the decisive goal in the shootout. Lost in the shuffle was the fact Kariya's longtime friend Teemu Selanne notched his 500th career assist. 9 15 Montreal Canadiens (3-0-0) With six rookies in the lineup, the Habs are off to their best start since 1978. Although some might suggest it's been a bit of a David Copperfield performance, since they've yet to blow out anybody and have survived a number of defensive lapses. 10 4 Boston Bruins (1-2-0) Thanks to a 7-6 OT win against the Penguins, Boston avoided its first 0-3 start since 1999-2000, when it began the season 0-9. In Saturday's win, winger Pat Leahy wanted to share the news of his first career goal with family and friends, but he couldn't. His cell phone crashed after being filled with messages. 11 11 Florida Panthers (2-1-0) No one has started the season hotter than Roberto Luongo, who began the campaign with two consecutive shutouts. But no matter how sizzling you are, you still have to make way for the boss (or in this case, the Boss), as the Panthers were unable to practice at Nassau Coliseum on Sunday morning due to a Bruce Springsteen concert that night. 12 12 New Jersey Devils (2-1-0) Martin Brodeur faced an average of 35 shots in the Devils' first three games. In 2003-04, the netminder saw an average of 24.6 shots and just 23.3 in 2002-03. One good storyline coming out of New Jersey early in the season is Zach Parise, who scored a goal on opening night to become the 12th player in Devils' history to score a goal in his first NHL game. 13 5 San Jose Sharks (1-2-0) Penalty kill has killed the Sharks, who allowed 12 goals in 18 opponents' power plays. Don't worry -- the Sharks will improve. Maybe their early problems stem from being home sick, as the Sharks' first home game isn't until Wednesday against Columbus. 14 17 Atlanta Thrashers (2-1-0) Even if they had started the season 0-3, the Thrashers would have moved up the ranks after signing superstar Ilya Kovalchuk to a five-year deal. Without their stud, the Thrashers' offense was still scary good, with 15 goals in a two-game stretch against the Capitals. 15 19 Edmonton Oilers (2-0-0) Losing forward Ryan Smyth with a sprained knee will hurt, but it always helps when you get solid goaltending. Jussi Markkanen made 28 saves Sunday -- the day after being activated from a broken collarbone that kept him out of the preseason.

Read on for teams 16-30 ...