NHL Power Rankings: Central Division making early noise

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The Central Division was the best in the league last season, and they're quickly making a case that they are again this year in our latest NHL Power Rankings.

Check in with CSNChicago.com for updated rankings every Monday throughout the 2015-16 campaign. Here's where we're at so far: Preseason rankings | Week 1

 

Rank Team
Last Week Record/Comment
1 6

6-0-0, 12 points: Is it actually possible Carey Price can top last season?

2 7

4-1-0, 8 points: There is a lot to love about the Sharks right now, but let's see how they respond to adversity with Logan Couture (fractured right fibula) out 4-6 weeks.

3 15

5-1-0, 10 points: Five road games, four wins. And Vladimir Tarasenko is in the early running for Hart Trophy.

4 17

4-1-0, 8 points: A pair of impressive road wins at Tampa Bay and Florida. Tyler Seguin has six combined points in those two games.

5 3

4-2-0, 8 points: Tampa Bay's penalty killing needs improvement, but that shouldn't be a concern as they are one of the best teams in allowing the least amount of shots per game.

6 5

3-1-0, 6 points: The Capitals are undefeated this year when Alex Ovechkin is awake.

7 18

3-1-1, 7 points: No team had a better week than the Islanders, who got back starting goaltender Jaroslav Halak and rattled off wins over the Jets, Predators, and Sharks (all three in our Top 10).

8 13

4-1-0, 8 points: The Predators allowed an uncharacteristic 41 shots on goal to the Senators, but got some much-needed contributions from the power play to earn the victory.

9 8

4-2-0, 8 points: The Jets rank third in goals per game and third in goals against. They'll really be tested this week, with upcoming contests against Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Los Angeles and Chicago, all at home.

10 1

3-2-1, 7 points: Rick Nash only has one point through the first six games, something that needs to change after losing Martin St. Louis and Carl Hagelin in the offseason.

11 2

3-3-0, 6 points: The Blackhawks have yet to replace Brandon Saad on their top line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, a position that's been a revolving door through Week 2.

12 14

3-1-2, 8 points: Give it up to the Canucks, who have picked up a point in all six games so far but one.

13   4

3-2-0, 6 points: The Red Wings are still looking for their groove, but there's plenty of time for that.

14 10

3-1-1, 7 points: The Wild have scored a power play goal in four of their first five games, but they're getting average goaltending from Devan Dubnyk.

15 22

2-3-0, 4 points: Forget about their spot in the standings, the Kings are the NHL's best puck possession team with a 62.1 Corsi.

16   11

3-2-0, 6 points: After a big 7-1 win to kick off the season, the Panthers have been 2-2 since with a plus-1 goal differential.

17   21

2-3-0, 4 points: Sidney Crosby has gone five consecutive games without a point, matching the longest streak of his career. Don't expect that to last any longer.

18 12

1-3-1, 3 points: The Ducks are averaging exactly one goal per game. Something tells us that will change soon.

19 9

 3-2-0, 6 points: The Coyotes are allowing a league-high 34.6 shots per game. Mike Smith has been really solid, but that's tough to consistently overcome for any goaltender.

20 16

3-2-1, 7 points: Erik Karlsson already has eight points through six games, but the Senators must patch up defensively if they want to prove themselves as a playoff-caliber team.

21   28

2-1-1, 5 points: Michal Neuvirth has been a hidden gem after posting two consecutive shutouts last week. He's saving them from falling further.

22 29 2-3-0, 4 points: David Krejci leads the NHL with nine points, and has done so in just five games.
23   20

2-3-0, 4 points: Puck possession remains an issue for the Avalanche. Could Patrick Roy be on the hot seat?

24   30 

1-3-1, 3 points: Say what you want about the Maple Leafs, but Mike Babcock has this team playing hard every night.

25 27

2-4-0, 4 points: Connor McDavid has four points (two goals, two assists) in his last two games, which has resulted in two Oilers wins.

26   25

1-4-0, 2 points: Buffalo's only win has come against the Blue Jackets, which isn't saying much.

27   27

1-3-1, 3 points: The Devils took three of four points from the Sharks and Rangers, but have only scored eight goals through five games.

28 24

1-4-0, 2 points: Noah Hanifin is going to be stud.

29 19

1-4-0, 2 points: Are the analytics catching up to the Flames or is it just a slow start? The Flames are a bottom-five puck possession team, owning a 46.6 Corsi.

30 24

0-6-0, 0 points: The Blue Jackets have allowed 30 goals en route to their worst start in franchise history. Change could be coming.

*Advanced stats courtesy of war-on-ice.com.

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