NHL Power Rankings 2020-21: Lightning on top after Week 1
The 2020-21 NHL season is officially underway! Let's dive into our Power Rankings through an abbreviated Week 1.
The Stars had a COVID-19 outbreak, leading to the postponement of their first five games. Their season opener is scheduled for Friday against Nashville.
(Last week: 10)
The Blackhawks are pointless through three games and have been outscored 15-5 over that span.
(Last week: 27)
Taylor Hall scored in his first game with the Sabres, who lost back-to-back games against the Capitals by a combined score of 8-5.
(Last week: 19)
Maxime Comtois had seven career NHL goals in his first 39 games. He has three goals in two games so far this season.
(Last week: 30)
The Kings held a 3-1 lead in each of their first two games against the Minnesota Wild but lost both of them in overtime.
(Last week: 28)
The Red Wings were outshot by the Hurricanes 43-14 in their season opener but bounced back with a 4-2 victory on Saturday. An early confidence-builder for the NHL's worst team last season.
(Last week: 31)
What a start to the season for Tomas Hertl, who has four points (three goals, one assist) through two games.
(Last week: 25)
The Blue Jackets scored only three goals in two games against the Nashville Predators. Keeping pucks out of their net won't be a challenge, but scoring might be.
(Last week: 14)
The Canucks kicked off the season with an impressive 5-3 win over the Oilers, but followed that up with a 5-2 defeat and 3-0 loss to the Calgary Flames.
(Last week: 17)
The Oilers have scored nine goals through three games but have given up 12. They're going to score a bunch, but they're going to give up a lot, too.
(Last week: 18)
The Panthers opened the season with a 5-2 win over the Blackhawks on Sunday, and Keith Yandle's 867-game (and counting) Ironman streak is still intact.
(Last week: 21)
The Penguins have a +22 shot differential at 5-on-5 but a -3 goal differential. That's because their team save percentage is .820.
(Last week: 11)
It took only two games for No. 3 overall pick Tim Stutzle to score his first career NHL goal, and it was an absolute laser. He's going to be really good for a long time.
(Last week: 29)
Yegor Sharangovich's first career NHL goal was an overtime winner with 1.7 seconds left against the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners. Not bad.
(Last week: 26)
Igor Shesterkin had a rough season debut against the Islanders, allowing four goals on 33 shots for a save percentage of .879. Alexandar Georgiev pitched a shutout the following game, stopping all 23 shots he faced.
(Last week: 20)
Phil Kessel has three goals in two games for the Coyotes. He had only 14 goals in 70 games last season.
(Last week: 24)
The Islanders shut out the Rangers in their season debut 4-0 then got shut out by the Rangers 5-0 after Semyon Varlamov got injured in warmups, forcing prized goaltending prospect Ilya Sorokin to make his NHL debut on short notice.
(Last week: 12)
The Blues were terrific in their season-opening 4-1 win against the Avalanche. They fell apart in the second game, losing 8-0.
(Last week: 4)
Kirill Kaprizov scored the overtime winner on Thursday and assisted on the overtime winner on Saturday. He has four points (one goal, three assists) in two games. Welcome to the NHL.
(Last week: 23)
Patrik Laine recorded three points (two goals, one assist) and scored the overtime winner in Thursday's 4-3 win over Calgary. He could be a darkhorse candidate to win the Rocket Richard Trophy this season.
(Last week: 22)
Frederik Andersen has given up nine goals on 56 shots for a save percentage of .839 through two starts. He's got to be better if the Maple Leafs are going to be considered legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
(Last week: 8)
Jacob Markstrom pitched a 32-save shutout in his first game against his former Canucks team on Saturday. That must've felt good.
(Last week: 16)
The Hurricanes had a +52 goal differential in two games against the Red Wings. They're a puck-possession machine.
(Last week: 6)
Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand have combined for five points (two goals, three assists) through two games. They need to lead the way for the Bruins until David Pastrnak returns and helps balance out the lineup.
(Last week: 5)
The Canadiens are going to be one of the toughest teams to play against this season, and if Carey Price plays like he did Saturday night against Edmonton (34 saves on 35 shots for a save percentage of .971), look out.
(Last week: 13)
Juuse Saros has a 1.50 goals-against average and .959 save percentage in two starts. He's the clear-cut starter in Nashville this season.
(Last week: 15)
Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 21 of 22 shots for a save percentage of .955 in his season debut. Great sign.
(Last week: 3)
The Avalanche opened the season with a 4-1 loss to the Blues. They followed that up with an 8-0 win. That's more like it.
(Last week: 2)
The Capitals have picked up five of six points to open the Peter Laviolette era and have nine different goal scorers already.
(Last week: 7)
The Flyers have scored 11 goals through two games and Carter Hart has a .925 save percentage. Strong start.
(Last week: 9)
The Lightning have the best goal differential (plus-7) through two games. The defending Stanley Cup champions haven't skipped a beat.
(Last week: 1)
