I admit it. The season-opening Power Rankings are, for the most part, a crapshoot. There are a few superior squads, others on the fringe of greatness and some destined to be also-rans from Day 1, but the largest group resides in the one-way-or-another category until further notice. So with regards to readers Mark Klettlinger, Chris McGurty and Justin Holmes, you'll find things more to your liking -- at some point in the season.
Note: All statistics are through Sunday.
BIGGEST CLIMB: Minnesota (15 to 8)
BIGGEST FALL: Atlanta (17 to 24)
Have issues with my Power Rankings or want to pat me on the back? Send me an E-mail
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Boy, did Ottawa management know what it was doing or what? Just hours after inking Dany Heatley to a six-year, $45 million extension, Heater went out and potted two goals -- including the game-winner -- in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Leafs. Equally impressive in the early going has been the Sens' penalty-kill unit, which is a perfect 19-for-19.
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When Sidney Crosby took the ice in the Pens' opener on Friday, he became the youngest player in NHL history to wear the 'C'. The 20-year-old was held to just one shot in a 4-1 loss to Carolina. Maybe the pressure of being captain is getting to the kid, so much so that he'll probably only manage to score 140 points this season.
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Proof that this is a make-or-break season for the NHL: Joe Louis Arena isn't selling out. The Wings' opener drew just 17,610 to a 20,066 capacity barn. What is the hockey world coming to when Hockeytown has empty seats? "I think it's the local economy right now," Nicklas Lidstrom said. "I think it's hurting us as well as everyone else."
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It's not often that you pull something good out of a 6-2 crushing. But when rookie netminder Dimitri Patzold, with the score 6-1, got his first taste of NHL competition, he stopped every shot he faced: two. One week in, there's no reason yet to jump off the Sharks' bandwagon. They'll be the cream of the crop in the Western Conference.
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Because of their jaunt across the pond to open the season, the Ducks haven't been home since Sept. 24 and have flown more than 10,000 miles. They say it's not the reason for their slow start. "We're getting paid well to do what we do," Sean O'Donnell told the Los Angeles Times. "You've got to put those things aside and just focus on what you've got to do."
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What to make of Vaclav Prospal? After a career-best 25 goals and 80 points in 2005-06, he managed just 14 and 55 last season. In his first two games, the veteran pivot has three goals and an assist; he didn't score his third last year until Nov. 15. If Prospal can stay somewhat close to this pace, the Lightning should be a serious offensive threat all season.
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Fun with projections: Paul Stastny is on pace for 109 goals and 219 points. That's bound to happen when you notch four goals and eight points in your first three games. The 20-year-old also became just the fourth player in franchise history to record a hat trick on opening night. Dale Hunter in '83 while with the Nordiques was the last to accomplish the feat.
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No Manny Fernandez. No problem. Niklas Backstrom is making an ultra-strong case that's he's a legit No. 1 goalie. The 29-year-old stopped 27 shots Thursday night to earn a season-opening shutout against the Blackhawks -- his sixth career blanking. So what's his secret? "It's easier when you don't have to think too much," he said.
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With two assists in Thursday's opener, Jaromir Jagr moved into a tie with Hall of Famer Ray Bourque for most points in season-openers, with 30 (nine goals, 21 assists). Also up to his old tricks: Chris Drury, who had his 38th regular-season game-winner -- and 53rd counting the playoffs. "Right place at the right time," Drury said.
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It seems they don't wake up until they fall behind. In each of their first two games, Calgary fell behind by two goals before coming out of hibernation. Is this the way Mike Keenan's crew will play all season? For the sake of Flames fans' sanity, I sure hope not. As with San Jose, there's no reason to fret over this sputtering start.
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Read on for teams 11-20 ...
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