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Welcome back to The Hockey News’ NHL power rankings. Every Wednesday, we’ll rank all 32 teams based on their weekly performance.
Sorry, Jets fans, I was not familiar with your game.
Ever since Winnipeg returned to the NHL, it’s been the punching line of numerous jokes. It’s too cold, and it’s not fun. But you know what cures everything? Winning, and it’s given the fans plenty of swagger as well with a vicious chant of “Where is Rutger?” in a 6-3 win over the Penguins.
The Jets move into the top spot in this week’s NHL power rankings with an unblemished record, knocking off the Stars, which suffered two losses over the past week. Only four teams remain without a loss in regulation, and all of them rank in the top 10.
Among the biggest risers are the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals, while the Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers and Utah Hockey Club slide down.
1. Winnipeg Jets (6-0-0, +17. Last week: 2)
Winnipeg is that bullied kid who sits there silently, just taking it, until one day they go Hulk mode, and we never mess with them again. Well, they’re throwing haymakers now after years of taking jabs about how no one wants to play there. Remember, they finished fourth in the NHL last season.
Related: Winnipeg Jets’ Attendance Improving, But There’s A Long Way To Go
2. New York Rangers (5-0-1, +19. Last week: 3)
There are times when the Rangers embody their captain and run through the NHL like a truck. They’re now a perfect 4-0-0 on the road this season, giving them a nice cushion as they play seven of their next nine games at home, where they were 30-11-0 last season.
3. Dallas Stars (5-2-0, +7. Last week: 1)
After a fantastic start, they’ve now lost two of their last three. It only took 25 years, but Lindy Ruff’s Sabres finally beat the Stars.
4. Minnesota Wild (4-0-2, +8. Last week: 13)
A little too high? Maybe, but the Wild have been mighty impressive and have yet to lose in regulation, limiting their opponents to just five (!) goals in their four wins. I mentioned on the Sleepers and Keepers fantasy hockey podcast that they’re a lot better than most people think. They’re getting excellent goaltending, and they have enough depth to withstand the losses of Ryan Hartman and captain Jared Spurgeon.
5. Carolina Hurricanes (3-2-0, +2). Last week: 5)
A 4-1 loss to start the season was not a good look. But they’re 3-1-0 since,…