We’re simply over two weeks into the NHL season. Frozen Frenzy is within the books, and within the distance is the triumphant return of best-on-best worldwide hockey on the 4 Nations Face-off.
There’s a number of season left, however there’s sufficient of a pattern dimension to establish the most important shock of the season for all 32 groups, introduced right here together with an up to date set of Energy Rankings.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 ballot primarily based on the video games by way of Wednesday, which generates our grasp listing right here.
Be aware: Earlier rating for every staff refers back to the earlier version, revealed Oct. 19. Factors percentages are by way of Thursday’s video games.
Earlier rating: 2
Factors share: 78.57%
Largest shock: Alexis is (nonetheless) on hearth. The french phrase for brakes is “freins”, but it surely’s been all gasoline and no “freins” for Alexis Lafreniere, who continues to construct off of his 14 factors in 16 playoff video games. It is not straightforward being a No. 1 general decide, the place many demand you be nice now. It has been a marathon not a dash for the Quebec native, and the enhancements are tangible. It’s a must to surprise how a lot Staff Canada consideration he’ll get for February’s 4 Nations Face-off.
Subsequent seven days: vs. ANA (Oct. 26), @ WSH (Oct. 29)
Earlier rating: 6
Factors share: 100.00%
Largest shock: An ideal begin. The Jets have been completely good: 7-0-0, with a plus-18 objective differential, and 6 gamers on or above a point-per-game fee out of the gates. That is the type of dream begin you bear in mind if you happen to fall right into a stoop later within the season and are nonetheless high of your division. The Central appeared like a top-heavy slugfest with shock potential earlier than the season began, and the most important optimistic shock to date has been Winnipeg.
Subsequent seven days: @ CGY (Oct. 26), vs. TOR (Oct. 28), @ DET (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 1
Factors share: 75.00%
Largest shock: Logan Stankoven’s carry-over rookie marketing campaign. The brink for an NHL participant to stay at “rookie” standing is 25 video games. Logan Stankoven performed 24 final season for Dallas, which implies he is nonetheless eligible to win the Calder Trophy this season. Stankoven impressed in these 24 regular-season and 19 postseason appearances, the place he averaged simply over 16 minutes of ice time per recreation. Now, he kicked off his official rookie season with seven assists by way of seven video games. His energetic, fearless model has earned him top-line minutes.
Subsequent seven days: vs. CHI (Oct. 26)
Earlier rating: 12
Factors share: 85.71%
Largest shock: A 5-0-2 begin. The Wild are kicking off Marc-Andre Fleury’s closing NHL season off correctly, as one in every of 4 groups with no regulation loss within the early going. Kirill Kaprizov has 13 factors by way of seven video games, and Mats Zuccarello has 4 objectives. Perhaps the Wild and Preds traded preseason projection vibes?
Subsequent seven days: @ PHI (Oct. 26), @ PIT (Oct. 29)
Earlier rating: 14
Factors share: 78.57%
Largest shock: Being in first place after seven video games. The Flames weren’t projected to be a playoff contending staff this season, however they’re off to a scorching begin. They torched Edmonton within the Battle of Alberta debut. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson leads the staff with eight factors, whereas Andersson, Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri every have three objectives.
Subsequent seven days: vs. WPG (Oct. 26), @ VGK (Oct. 28), @ UTA (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 9
Factors share: 57.14%
Largest shock: Guentzel picks up the place Stamkos left off. Look, no person goes to interchange Steven Stamkos and his legacy with the Lightning and town of Tampa. That man goes straight to the Corridor of Fame, having his quantity retired at Amalie Enviornment and getting a statue outdoors. Everyone knows that. However wanting on the first few video games of this season, Bolts followers can not help however get excited seeing Jake Guentzel match proper in with Brayden Level and Nikita Kucherov, scoring seven factors in six video games.
Subsequent seven days: vs. WSH (Oct. 26), vs. NSH (Oct. 28), @ COL (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 3
Factors share: 57.14%
Largest shock: Other than a pair blips, the goaltending appears to be like … good? Leafs followers have lengthy desired a long-term answer because the No. 1 goalie to assist lead the Leafs to the promised land. After the departure of Ilya Samsonov, Joseph Woll was regarded as the man to get that probability — he appeared terrific within the postseason when wholesome. And there is the rub: he has a historical past of accidents.
Enter Anthony Stolarz, who has allowed two objectives or fewer in every begin this season, constructing his case to be the No. 1 (or on the very least, 1B in a rotation). Dennis Hildeby has additionally appeared sharp when he is been tapped (except for the 6-2 trouncing by the hands of the Blue Jackets). With Woll getting back from harm, the prospects look good for the Leafs within the nets (although Thursday’s outing in opposition to St. Louis wasn’t nice for Woll).
Subsequent seven days: @ BOS (Oct. 26), @ WPG (Oct. 28), vs. SEA (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 7
Factors share: 64.29%
Largest shock: Howdy Howden. Brett Howden enters his fourth season as a member of the Golden Knights on a contract 12 months, and began very sturdy; with three objectives by way of seven video games, he is effectively on his method to hit double digits for the primary time in his profession. A two-way participant with a bodily model, he is earned top-six minutes on the second line alongside Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev, offering one other scoring possibility for a staff that misplaced a number of of them to free company.
Subsequent seven days: vs. OTT (Oct. 25), vs. SJ (Oct. 26), vs. CGY (Oct. 28), @ LA (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 5
Factors share: 55.00%
Largest shock: Casey’s spectacular begin. Seamus Casey constructed himself fairly a reputation amongst Devils followers, scoring three objectives in eight video games with the membership. Head coach Sheldon Keefe has stated he is impressed with the 2022 second-round decide, but it surely’s necessary for Casey to spherical out his recreation within the AHL. With Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce returning to the lineup on Thursday, the blue line is actually crowded long run.
Subsequent seven days: vs. NYI (Oct. 25), vs. ANA (Oct. 27), @ VAN (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 23
Factors share: 83.33%
Largest shock: Choosing up the place they left off. The Caps are 5-1 to start out the season. Dylan Strome has 9 factors. Tom Wilson has 5 objectives. In fact everyone seems to be watching this staff to see when Alex Ovechkin eclipses Wayne Gretzky’s profession goal-scoring mark, however this staff is seeking to make it again to the playoffs after final season’s shock look.
Subsequent seven days: @ TB (Oct. 26), vs. NYR (Oct. 29), vs. MTL (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 4
Factors share: 61.11%
Largest (non-)shock: Paul Maurice indicators on the dotted line. One of many best moments in NHL historical past was when Paul Maurice, mid-interview with ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, is tapped on the shoulder to obtain the Stanley Cup. He appears to be like at it, talks to it, then raises it, with the most important look of 29 years’ price of reduction you would probably have. You win the Cup, folks are likely to need to hold you round, because the Panthers did in inking Maurice to a contract extension this week.
Subsequent seven days: @ NYI (Oct. 26), @ BUF (Oct. 28)
Earlier rating: 11
Factors share: 66.67%
Largest shock: A really seen Ghost Bear. Shayne Gostisbehere returned to the Hurricanes from the Pink Wings this offseason, and has contributed early, together with a four-game objective streak, three of which got here on the facility play. The Hurricanes pulled off the one comeback of two or extra objectives throughout Frozen Frenzy night time, nullifying Connor McDavid’s two objectives to win it in extra time. Gostisbehere had a objective and a helper within the effort.
Subsequent seven days: @ SEA (Oct. 26), @ VAN (Oct. 28), vs. BOS (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 13
Factors share: 56.25%
Largest shock: They have been terrific in a season of firsts. You could not write a greater script for the opening recreation; immaculate vibes, first objective in franchise historical past scored by Dylan Guenther, who simply signed an enormous contract, and the second objective by new captain Clayton Keller. Can the magic final all season and end in a playoff berth?
Subsequent seven days: @ LA (Oct. 26), vs. SJ (Oct. 28), vs. CGY (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 16
Factors share: 62.50%
Largest shock: Brandt Clarke. In final week’s energy rankings specializing in fantasy pickups for every staff, Clarke was the selection for Los Angeles. The 21-year-old is logging massive and necessary minutes, notably in Drew Doughty’s spot on the Kings’ energy play. Clarke picked up 5 assists by way of his first eight video games of the season.
Subsequent seven days: vs. UTA (Oct. 26), @ SJ (Oct. 29), vs. VGK (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 20
Factors share: 66.67%
Largest shock: The facility play. The Sens are second within the league, going 40.9% with the person benefit to date, and tied for the league lead with 9 PPG. Jake Sanderson has been dynamite with the person benefit, potting six of his seven factors on the PP.
Subsequent seven days: @ VGK (Oct. 25), @ COL (Oct. 27), vs. STL (Oct. 29)
Earlier rating: 19
Factors share: 66.67%
Largest shock: Elias Pettersson’s sluggish begin. Pettersson has exceeded 30 objectives within the final three seasons, tallying 102 factors two seasons in the past. So having simply three assists by way of six video games does not look superb, particularly when he signed a large deal simply months in the past. Is he prepared to show the nook?
Subsequent seven days: vs. PIT (Oct. 26), vs. CAR (Oct. 28), vs. NJ (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 8
Factors share: 43.75%
Largest shock: Bench boss bellows at Brad. Within the third interval of Boston’s 2-1 defeat in opposition to Utah on October 19, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery was seen yelling at captain Brad Marchand on the bench following an offensive zone turnover, and likewise shoved the captain. Montgomery enters his third season teaching the B’s, with each postseasons leading to losses to the Panthers, and a few surprise if he is on the new seat.
For what it is price, Marchand downplayed the incident to reporters on Thursday: “It is unlucky how coaches are scrutinized over issues like that. There is a lack of accountability these days as a result of folks cannot deal with the warmth. You make a mistake like that, you deserve to listen to about it.”
Subsequent seven days: vs. TOR (Oct. 26), vs. PHI (Oct. 29), @ CAR (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 22
Factors share: 56.25%
Largest shock: An offensive surge. In Seattle’s inaugural season, the staff completed backside 5 in objectives (213). In its second, the Kraken scored much more, netting out within the high 5 (289), jumped 40 factors within the standings and made the playoffs. Final season, they have been again within the backside 5 (214) and effectively outdoors the postseason combine. Up to now this season, they sit proper across the center, thirteenth, with 23 objectives by way of seven video games. Prime-liners Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle have a mixed 9 of these tallies, because the staff pushes to get again within the playoffs.
Subsequent seven days: vs. CAR (Oct. 26), @ MTL (Oct. 29), @ TOR (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 17
Factors share: 50.00%
Largest shock: The goaltending. The Avs began the season 0-4, and in all 4 of these video games, their opponents scored 5 or extra objectives. They’ve gained three straight since, averaging two objectives in opposition to per recreation. Via 5 video games, Alexandar Georgiev has a .810 save share and a 1-3 report. Justus Annunen is 2-1 with a .900 save share. Kaapo Kahkonen is on a conditioning project within the AHL, having been claimed off waivers. This staff has the expertise to outscore their issues on many nights (Cale Makar is on tempo for 114 factors), however stability between the pipes is crucial in the event that they need to be a critical contender.
Subsequent seven days: vs. OTT (Oct. 27), vs. CHI (Oct. 28), vs. TB (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 24
Factors share: 62.50%
Largest shock: Resilience. The Blues spoiled Macklin Celebrini’s NHL debut; the Sharks have been up 4-1 going into the third earlier than the Blues scored three unanswered objectives to ship it to extra time the place captain Brayden Schenn known as recreation. Each recreation however two to this point have been one-goal video games, and St. Louis has gained greater than they’ve misplaced.
Subsequent seven days: @ MTL (Oct. 26), @ OTT (Oct. 29), @ PHI (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 10
Factors share: 35.71%
Largest shock: The Mirror. Mirror, mirror on the wall … who’s essentially the most underachieving staff of all? Up to now this season it is Edmonton, who’re loathing the point out of deja vu as a lot as Connor McDavid despises ketchup. Time for Edmonton to [ahem] dig in and gather some wins as a result of this staff, as soon as once more, is in Cup-or-bust mode.
Subsequent seven days: vs. PIT (Oct. 25), @ DET (Oct. 27), @ CBJ (Oct. 28), @ NSH (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 18
Factors share: 50.00%
Largest shock: Shutout losses. Via six video games, the Islanders have been shut out thrice — and two of these video games have been 1-0 losses. The Isles have outshot opponents (particularly the Pink Wings, the place the shot whole was 30-11) outchanced them, and Ilya Sorokin has been nice in objective. The staff simply is not scoring. Anthony Duclair is injured, and no person has greater than two objectives this season (Mathew Barzal has only one).
Subsequent seven days: @ NJ (Oct. 25), vs. FLA (Oct. 26), vs. ANA (Oct. 29), @ CBJ (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 15
Factors share: 43.75%
Largest shock: How a lot we love nostalgia. Years in the past I went to a Bon Jovi live performance. After taking part in a pair songs from their newest album, Jon Bon Jovi bellowed, “now we’ll play your favorites … the hits, solely hits and nothing however the hits!” That despatched the gang right into a frenzy. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin aren’t on a retirement tour, however they positive are hitting lofty milestones (with Sid not too long ago crossing 1,600 factors and Geno 500 objectives), and it feels as nostalgic to hockey followers as “Livin’ On A Prayer.”
Subsequent seven days: @ EDM (Oct. 25), @ VAN (Oct. 26), vs. MIN (Oct. 29), vs. ANA (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 26
Factors share: 43.75%
Largest shock: Ryan McLeod. Since becoming a member of the swords within the offseason from Edmonton, McLeod has appeared to suit proper in, tied for second in objectives on a staff that’s seventh within the league in scoring. Not the most effective begin for the staff normally — together with two losses abroad to start the marketing campaign — however the younger core completely exists right here for a playoff push. McLeod supplies high quality depth within the center.
Subsequent seven days: vs. DET (Oct. 26), vs. FLA (Oct. 28)
Earlier rating: 29
Factors share: 58.33%
Largest shock: Pictures for everyone! Perhaps this should not be a significant shock, as a result of this has been a pattern for the Geese for the previous couple of seasons. They topped the league two years in the past at 35.8 pictures allowed per recreation, and this season they sit behind solely Montreal with 34.2. Regardless of that onslaught, Lukas Dostal has been strong in John Gibson’s absence, going 2-1-1 with a .930 save share.
Subsequent seven days: @ NYR (Oct. 26), @ NJ (Oct. 27), @ NYI (Oct. 29), @ PIT (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 27
Factors share: 57.14%
Largest shock: Profitable a recreation with 11 pictures on objective. Okay, this one has just a little recency bias as I am penning this lower than 24 hours after Frozen Frenzy, however it can all the time be bonkers to me when a staff logs 11 pictures and wins a recreation. That is tied for fifth fewest pictures in a win in NHL historical past. Two groups (the Sharks in 1998, Maple Leafs in 1999) wanted solely 9 pictures to get the W. Alex Lyon might have additionally been a decide right here, as a result of he is on an incredible stretch (two objectives in opposition to dealing with 84 pictures in his final three video games).
Subsequent seven days: @ BUF (Oct. 26), vs. EDM (Oct. 27), vs. WPG (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 30
Factors share: 50.00
Largest shock: Scoring regardless of accidents. Columbus is tenth within the league in scoring, with 24 objectives in a 3-3-0 begin. The factor is, their standard offensive contributors are injured: captain Boone Jenner might miss six months on account of shoulder surgical procedure, Dmitri Voronkov was positioned on IR after a preseason recreation and Kent Johnston can be sidelined. However the Blue Jackets hold discovering methods to attain, together with a 6-2 thumping of Toronto. Sean Monahan, Mathieu Olivier, Kirill Marchenko and Tegor Chinakov all have three objectives by way of six video games.
Subsequent seven days: @ NSH (Oct. 26), vs. EDM (Oct. 28), vs. NYI (Oct. 30)
Earlier rating: 21
Factors share: 16.67%
Largest shock: Chilly begin after sizzling summer time of spending. The Preds have been stunning because the offseason began. They signed Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault amongst others, making them the second oldest staff within the NHL, with a mean age of 30.2. However they have not been scoring, which has led to struggles; they began 0-5 earlier than breaking out in a 4-0 win over the Bruins this week.
Subsequent seven days: @ CHI (Oct. 25), vs. CBJ (Oct. 26), @ TB (Oct. 28), vs. EDM (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 31
Factors share: 35.71%
Largest shock: Turbo enhance. Welcome again, Teuvo Teravainen. The 30-year-old started his NHL profession as a Blackhawk earlier than spending eight seasons with Carolina and now returning to Chicago. He is tied with Seth Jones and Connor Bedard atop the Hawks’ scoring leaderboard, and is tied with captain Nick Foligno with three objectives. The Teravainen-Bedard tandem has clicked early; this appears to be like to be an incredible match by way of the early going.
Subsequent seven days: vs. NSH (Oct. 25), @ DAL (Oct. 26), @ COL (Oct. 28), @ SJ (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 28
Factors share: 35.71%
Largest shock: Lane Hutson. The Habs may not be a playoff staff this season, however boy are they enjoyable to look at. It looks as if each recreation there’s a jump-out-of-your-seat type of second being produced by one in every of their dazzling younger gamers. It might not be as a lot of a shock coming from a Cole Caulfield or Nick Suzuki, however Lane Hutson has offered a lot of these. The analytics aren’t type to him, however coach Martin St. Louis does not appear fazed to date. He’s on the best way to being a long-term defensive famous person for the Habs.
Subsequent seven days: vs. STL (Oct. 26), @ PHI (Oct. 27), vs. SEA (Oct. 29), @ WSH (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 25
Factors share: 21.43%
Largest shock: Matvei-ry good. Matvei Michkov has arrived, and Flyers followers are loving it — particularly his team-leading seven factors by way of seven video games. He has unbelievable puck dealing with, imaginative and prescient and taking pictures, and is taking part in top-line minutes. All of his three objectives to date have been on the facility play; think about what he will likely be as soon as he unlocks his recreation at 5-on-5.
Subsequent seven days: vs. MIN (Oct. 26), vs. MTL (Oct. 27), @ BOS (Oct. 29), vs. STL (Oct. 31)
Earlier rating: 32
Factors share: 12.50%
Largest shock: Penalties. The Sharks are the final winless staff within the NHL — and Macklin Celebrini is out of the lineup on account of harm — however one obtrusive stat is that the Sharks have given up six power-play alternatives in three of their final 4 video games; Cody Ceci talked about it after the Sharks 3-1 loss to the Geese on Tuesday: “Perhaps keep off the refs just a little bit too. Perhaps they will begin to name just a little extra in our favor.” Taking fewer journeys to the sin bin might not be a cure-all, but it surely’s a begin.
Subsequent seven days: @ VGK (Oct. 26), @ UTA (Oct. 28), vs. LA (Oct. 29), vs. CHI (Oct. 31)
