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Power Rankings (cont.)

Posted: Tuesday October 17, 2006 12:59PM; Updated: Tuesday October 17, 2006 1:16PM
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Note: All statistics and records are through Sunday.

NHL Power Rankings
Rank LW Team
21 27
Florida Panthers (3-2-1)
The Panthers honored Friday the 13th by making all fans with a ticket stub eligible for 13 free wings at a local restaurant when winger Juraj Kolnik (Florida's number 13) scored a goal. Including Kolnik's heroics, Florida's offense is holding its own, with a franchise-best 14 goals in its first two home games.
Last Week: 2-1-1
22 21
Tampa Bay Lightning (2-3-0)
The Panthers proved to be the cure for what was ailing Martin St. Louis and the Bolts' power play. Not only did St. Louis score his first goal of the season in a 4-1 victory on Saturday, but Tampa Bay also converted two PP chances -- doubling its total from the first four games. The Lightning were 0 for 20 on the PP in their previous three games.
Last Week: 1-2-0
23 23
Pittsburgh Penguins (2-2-0)
Youth was definitely served on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. When Sidney Crosby (19 years old), Jordan Staal (18) and Kristopher Letang (19) scored in the Pens' 6-5 win over the Rangers, it marked the first time in nearly 24 years that a team got goals from three teenagers in a game. The last time was 1982, when Dave Andreychuk, Paul Cyr and Phil Housley scored for Buffalo.
Last Week: 1-1-0
24 18
Boston Bruins (1-3-1)
Thanks to an Iron Maiden concert the previous night, the Bruins were forced to practice at the Islanders' training facility and wear their gear on the bus to Nassau Coliseum. "Maybe it reminded them of when they were kids," coach Dave Lewis told the Boston Herald, "and they were driven everywhere with their equipment on." One might suspect that they played like kids in their 4-1 loss.
Last Week: 0-2-1
25 29
St. Louis Blues (2-2-1)
Lee Stempniak backed up his boss' guarantee. New chairman Dave Checketts said in August that the team would win its home opener. Stempniak made that happen by scoring late in regulation and then adding the game-winner in the shootout. Of course, Boston was the ideal foe for Checketts' guarantee, as the Blues haven't lost at home to the Bruins since 1995.
Last Week: 2-1-0
26 26
Washington Capitals (1-1-2)
What is it with Alex Ovechkin and shootouts? When the 21-year-old failed in Thursday's shootout, it marked the fifth consecutive attempt dating back to last season that the winger had come up empty. Ovechkin has missed or been stopped in seven of his last eight. What makes it truly puzzling is the fact that he started last season scoring on his first four.
Last Week: 0-0-2
27 25
Los Angeles Kings (2-3-0)
The Kings have to be happy that they're done playing the Stars -- at least until Oct. 28. Dallas hammered L.A. by identical 4-1 scores in back-to-back games. "The team is a little bit fragile," coach Marc Crawford told the Los Angeles Times. "We're not playing with a lot of confidence at this point." That should be the case when your two wins were against the Islanders and the Blues.
Last Week: 1-2-0
28 30
New York Islanders (2-3-0)
Despite getting outshot 50-24, the Isles found a way to earn their first win of the season, thanks to Alexei Yashin's goal late in the third period. It wasn't any regular win -- it was a victory over Cup-favorite Anaheim. The Isles had opened the season with three straight losses for the first time in their 35-year history, a mind-boggling fact considering that the hapless inaugural Isles went 12-60-6.
Last Week: 2-1-0
29 28
Chicago Blackhawks (2-2-0)
Martin Havlat has been everything the Blackhawks hoped for when they inked him to a three-year, $18 million contract in July. The winger is tied for the league lead with 10 points and six goals, and on pace for a career season -- if he can stay healthy. But Havlat isn't the only firepower the Hawks have. Seven other players have three or more points for a squad that averages 4.50 goals per game (leads the league).
Last Week: 1-1-0
30 22
Phoenix Coyotes (1-4-0)
Wayne Gretzky after Wednesday's 9-2 loss to Detroit: "It wasn't much fun out there, there's no question about that. They basically embarrassed us as a team. I don't think our team can get much lower than this." We're fairly certain that Saturday's 4-1 loss to Nashville didn't help matters. In its last three losses, Phoenix has been outscored 18-4.
Last Week: 0-3-0

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