{"time":1792615235525,"blocks":[{"id":"vVDjWMz6i2","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The defending champion Hurricanes are the top team in the league by default, and they rank first in this week’s power rankings, but it feels like there are a lot of teams in the mix this season for the Stanley Cup. "}},{"id":"sf2anCtcSm","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It's still early in the season so the standings are cramped – the top eight teams are separated by just three points – but there are no shortage of teams that could really be considered contenders."}},{"id":"2a7e16fe-dee6-4758-8b51-6e3ab8fbe5db","type":"video","data":{"url":"https://media-cdn.roundtable.io/media-service/videos/ab1e58e3-423e-428d-b342-113ba08fa87e/mp4","caption":"","autoplay":false,"controls":true,"muted":false,"stretched":true,"width":0,"height":0,"image":{"url":"https://media-cdn.roundtable.io/media-service/videos/ab1e58e3-423e-428d-b342-113ba08fa87e/thumbnail"},"cdn":{"videoId":"ab1e58e3-423e-428d-b342-113ba08fa87e","libraryId":"372172","collectionId":"30032062-eefd-4041-a355-12ad05bc987b","cdnBaseUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net","mp4Url":"https://media-cdn.roundtable.io/media-service/videos/ab1e58e3-423e-428d-b342-113ba08fa87e/mp4","thumbnailUrl":"https://media-cdn.roundtable.io/media-service/videos/ab1e58e3-423e-428d-b342-113ba08fa87e/thumbnail","previewAnimationUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net/ab1e58e3-423e-428d-b342-113ba08fa87e/preview.webp"}}},{"id":"h4M_s9Qx0X","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers have an easy path through the Pacific; the Central will be overrepresented with the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and Utah Mammoth; and the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers are still the two best teams in the Atlantic. "}},{"id":"yMiWLOw810","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Over the past two weeks, three teams (Carolina Hurricanes, Oilers, Lightning) lost only once in either regulation or overtime, and one (Boston Bruins) did not lose at all in regulation. "}},{"id":"puWS4hWl37","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The upstarts so far this season are the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers, and we shall see if they're true contenders or just riding early-season hot streaks. The Rangers, in particular, are still perfect 6-0-0 at home even without Igor Shesterkin. "}},{"id":"nY5gvnex4m","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Here’s this week's power rankings. "}},{"id":"EhKobfKNkz","type":"header","data":{"text":"1. Carolina Hurricanes (8-2-1, +15. PR: 3)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"eMHanfKTH8","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A loss to the Flames aside – their second game of a back-to-back on the road – the Hurricanes are again the epitome of consistency despite missing several key players. They have not lost consecutive games in regulation since January of last season, both regular season and playoffs combined. "}},{"id":"wD3ToriShZ","type":"header","data":{"text":"2. Vegas Golden Knights (8-3-0, +14. PR: 1)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"wJQGiCUhU2","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A 6-2 blowout loss to the Lightning on Tuesday has been their only real blemish so far, and it’s a matchup the Knights have struggled with for a while. Since the 2023-24 season, the Knights are 1-5-1 with a minus-10 goal differential against the Lightning. "}},{"id":"M8wJlyTDN4","type":"header","data":{"text":"3. Edmonton Oilers (7-1-1, +14. PR: 5)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"84wgCPc3O-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"If there's any player who can score 200 points this season, it's Connor McDavid. "}},{"id":"F7KQD8ucQT","type":"header","data":{"text":"4. Utah Mammoth (7-3-0, +7. PR: 4)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"b_WksJxA4m","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"They played a great two-game series against the Oilers but the Mammoth fell short against a healthy Edmonton squad. Goaltending has been an issue; Karel Vejmelka and Sebastian Cossa have a combined .866 SP. "}},{"id":"XYTy2xxAtM","type":"header","data":{"text":"5. Tampa Bay Lightning (7-2-0, +8. PR: 7)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"6_oNVCH-uv","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The most frightening thought is Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy are just getting warmed up. Kucherov has 'only' 13 points in nine games. "}},{"id":"ruv94DcGzQ","type":"header","data":{"text":"6. Minnesota Wild (6-2-2, +6. PR: 8)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"cyEh3YDBG8","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Just one regulation loss for the Wild this season while playing some really tough opponents, and a big test against the Oilers got away from them after a too many men bench minor led to Evan Bouchard's overtime winner. "}},{"id":"5a1MliOQ1X","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/has-jesper-wallstedts-emergence-with-the-minnesota-wild-made-filip-gustavsson-a-trade-candidate","meta":{"title":"Has Jesper Wallstedt's Emergence With The Minnesota Wild Made Filip Gustavsson A Trade Candidate?","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/has-jesper-wallstedts-emergence-with-the-minnesota-wild-made-filip-gustavsson-a-trade-candidate","description":"With Jesper Wallstedt's emergence as a potential superstar goaltender for the Minnesota Wild, is there a case for GM Bill Guerin to trade Filip Gustavsson?","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/73b77e22-98ad-4941-a90f-c64d5f4c0b36.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"dZaUkwO_qF","type":"header","data":{"text":"7. Colorado Avalanche (5-4-1, +10. PR: 2)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"KUDpWyh5Sa","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Avalanche made it close in a loss to the Devils after they were outshot 32-13 in the first two periods before dominating the shots 21-9 in the third period. Poor starts are costing them; they've scored just nine goals with a minus-2 goal differential in their first periods. "}},{"id":"g-LQDf851O","type":"header","data":{"text":"8. Boston Bruins (7-2-1, +14. PR: 10)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"TZY49eGY4l","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Bruins have not lost in regulation in two weeks and Marco Sturm is the early favorite for the Jack Adams. Jeremy Swayman is also the early favorite for the Vezina – funny how the best coaches always seem to also have the best goalies – and the Bruins have kept opponents to three goals or less in eight of 10 games this season. "}},{"id":"CbIEMvF1Mo","type":"header","data":{"text":"9. New York Rangers (7-3-1, +9. PR: 6)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"pAqDdqlFwm","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A 7-1 drubbing in New Jersey and then a shutout loss in Columbus was not a good look but managed to stay perfect at home (6-0-0) against the Ducks. Of course, they're still vastly improved; they didn't get their first home win last season until Nov. 10. "}},{"id":"qDpbYQ9g1i","type":"header","data":{"text":"10. Ottawa Senators (6-3-0, +1. PR: 9)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"E6RW9-vsvo","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Of course Linus Ullmark's first loss this season was against the winless Flyers. Their Wednesday night matchup against the Panthers with Brady Tkachuk's homecoming will be must-watch TV."}},{"id":"BdzijK9p6W","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/latest-news/brady-tkachuks-return-to-ottawa-is-personal-and-it-should-be","meta":{"title":"Brady Tkachuk's Return to Ottawa Is Personal. And It Should Be.","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/latest-news/brady-tkachuks-return-to-ottawa-is-personal-and-it-should-be","description":"After the captain abandoned his ship in the offseason, the Senators have a point to prove on Wednesday night. ","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e097c796-02b0-48f0-b16b-fef1a5472eb4.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"ZF1uaFqKuI","type":"header","data":{"text":"11. Florida Panthers (5-2-2, +5. PR: 13)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"S9D6dRW_BG","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The competition wasn't tough – Columbus, Vancouver, Seattle – but they were dominant wins. Don't be surprised if the Panthers keep clawing their way back to the top with a pretty easy upcoming schedule even without starter Jacob Markstrom. But, first, Brady Tkachuk’s much-anticipated homecoming Wednesday in Ottawa. "}},{"id":"cl55WHFAPm","type":"header","data":{"text":"12. Dallas Stars (5-3-1, +8. PR: 17)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"wIVarAz1Ph","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"So much for the improved offense Glen Gulutzan promised. The Stars' calling card this season might be their incredibly stingy defense, allowing a league-best 1.50 goals per game and second-best 22.6 shots per game. "}},{"id":"XMG3vj93lh","type":"header","data":{"text":"13. Montreal Canadiens (4-3-2, -4. PR: 11) ","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"OHCWp_mxHO","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"An ill-advised interference penalty by Jakub Dobes in overtime directly led to the loss to the Sharks – why give Macklin Celebrini a chance to end the game on the power play in overtime? It's also worth noting everyone's favorite pick to become a contender this season has only one regulation win so far. "}},{"id":"bjL3SgvIGT","type":"header","data":{"text":"14. Buffalo Sabres (4-3-2, -7. PR: 12)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"n1IWWRSwyJ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Sabres have trailed in all three of their most recent games but stole two points in two games against the Canadiens and scored three unanswered goals in a comeback win against the Maple Leafs. That kind of resilience is a very good sign for a young team off to an uneven start. Question: How much will it cost to acquire Connor Hellebuyck and will it stabilize their goaltending?"}},{"id":"EU9xgE2PfE","type":"header","data":{"text":"15. Seattle Kraken (6-3-1, +5. PR: 16) ","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"IhzX-Wpszx","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Their 1-1-1 record over the past week doesn't look bad, but then you realize they allowed eight goals in Florida and nearly blew a 3-0 lead to the Red Wings. "}},{"id":"6efoT6LhBo","type":"header","data":{"text":"16. Washington Capitals (5-4-0, +1. PR: 18)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"4TPmWcQxG7","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A changing of the guard? Ryan Leonard has been the Capitals' most dangerous goal-scorer this season while Alex Ovechkin ranks second-last in even-strength ice time per game among forwards on his team. "}},{"id":"kaiqXuWeyw","type":"header","data":{"text":"17. New York Islanders (5-3-1, +7. PR: 19)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"BH6sljCarZ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It was a bit of a shaky start but the Islanders are 4-1-1 since the first week of the season despite missing some key players. A reminder Peter DeBoer has taken four of the five teams he’s coached to the conference final in his first full season with his new team. "}},{"id":"ROAUMjUyNA","type":"header","data":{"text":"18. New Jersey Devils (5-4-0, -1. PR: 20)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"mwruVjici7","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The offense has suddenly come alive with 16 goals scored in their past three wins. When healthy, the Devils have arguably the deepest crop of forwards in the league. "}},{"id":"4U5WNFgmhy","type":"header","data":{"text":"19. Toronto Maple Leafs (5-4-2, +3. PR: 21)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"36xZbOBNfH","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Maple Leafs are proving to be an up-and-down, streaky team this season. If their aging defense and goaltending is already a concern, imagine what it could look like a few months from now. "}},{"id":"aQy7Leosq4","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/who-are-the-maple-leafs-premium-assets-as-gm-john-chayka-looks-to-upgrade-the-defense","meta":{"title":"Who Are The Maple Leafs' 'Premium Assets' As GM John Chayka Looks To Upgrade The Defense?","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/who-are-the-maple-leafs-premium-assets-as-gm-john-chayka-looks-to-upgrade-the-defense","description":"Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka is looking to upgrade the team's defense, especially with the fallen Chris Tanev. Reports say Toronto is open to moving \"premium assets,\" but what are those premium assets? ","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ba526cf7-6821-400a-8fa8-f655a89aaca9.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"kLgh7rYtPN","type":"header","data":{"text":"20. St. Louis Blues (4-4-1, even. PR: 23)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"mfFEuVW1BK","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Philip Broberg looks like a legitimate No. 1 defenseman and signed to a very team-friendly $8 million cap hit per season. There's always lots of talk about how the Hurricanes manage the cap, but the Blues deserve an honorable mention. "}},{"id":"ZeVpplAYcj","type":"header","data":{"text":"21. Winnipeg Jets (4-3-2, -2. PR: 15)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"IJVT6cxwSV","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Four of their five losses have been by one goal, and they've allowed three goals or less in six of their nine games. Didn't think that would happen with a tandem of Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson going into the season. "}},{"id":"HMt-GeI6jw","type":"header","data":{"text":"22. San Jose Sharks (5-4-1, -8. PR: 22)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"7Una7dqp0i","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Yaroslav Askarov is in a contract year but not really playing like it. Is Alex Nedeljkovic (.920 SP, 2.20 GAA) really the answer or will the Sharks have to look elsewhere for a solution. Winnipeg, perhaps? Fun fact: Despite ranking 16th in the league in points, the Sharks are the only team that has yet to win in regulation. "}},{"id":"2ES_QfLslD","type":"header","data":{"text":"23. Anaheim Ducks (4-5-0, -3. PR: 14)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"M2IX3gXb9I","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A brilliant 4-1-0 start for the Ducks has all been undone by a 0-4-0 slide where they've allowed 16 goals and never scored more than two in each game. The goaltending's not helping, so if they're not scoring a ton of goals they can't win. "}},{"id":"a9eW2Jtg5O","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/game-day/takeaways-from-the-ducks-5-2-loss-to-the-rangers","meta":{"title":"Takeaways from the Ducks 5-2 Loss to the Rangers","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/game-day/takeaways-from-the-ducks-5-2-loss-to-the-rangers","description":"Anaheim’s road trip began with a defensive collapse in Manhattan as stagnant breakouts and failed board battles overshadowed Ville Husso’s valiant effort against a relentless Rangers attack.","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/166f483c-a00e-4a03-8fd9-6be14daf9baa.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"NBq3Rm-iaW","type":"header","data":{"text":"24. Nashville Predators (3-2-3, -1. PR: 26)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"IR47zvdeVd","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Difficult to get a good read on this Predators team, but one thing's for sure: they'll live and die with Juuse Saros' play. He's got a .944 SP and 1.67 GAA in wins but .855 SP and 4.06 GAA in losses this season. "}},{"id":"f0kZ2dgbyS","type":"header","data":{"text":"25. Detroit Red Wings (3-3-3, -5. PR: 27)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"h3uu143LY_","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A comeback win against the Flyers, a comeback win against the Sharks in a shootout, and nearly came back to win against the Kraken. The Red Wings are getting points, but off-ice distractions aside, they’re making it really difficult on themselves, too. "}},{"id":"OVuM1qgGOM","type":"header","data":{"text":"26. Chicago Blackhawks (3-6-0, -15. PR: 28)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"0cIjUP-5mw","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"They're now 2-1-0 with Connor Bedard back in the lineup with the only loss coming against the stingy Stars, but they’re getting buried in possession (31st in 5-on-5 CF%, per naturalstattrick.com). They had a decent start to the season last year (5-4-2 at the end of October), too, but by mid-December started to slide. We’ll see if they can avoid that this season. "}},{"id":"mNqD6g4bL7","type":"header","data":{"text":"27. Columbus Blue Jackets (3-5-0, -9. PR: 25)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"8jZ6hPHgO1","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"So much for revenge. Kirill Marchenko scored a power-play goal in his return to Columbus in a 6-2 loss to the Maple Leafs. The Blue Jackets have one regulation win this season. "}},{"id":"c6AWBa9JTa","type":"header","data":{"text":"28. Pittsburgh Penguins (3-6-1, -5. PR: 24)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"roH80Yy6NH","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Tough road trip with stops in Colorado, Vegas and Utah, but after a 2-0-0 start the Penguins are now 1-6-1 with their only win coming via shootout. Last season was a mirage; the rebuild may have to start in earnest this season. "}},{"id":"wpRW-oPlNj","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-slow-start-could-signal-a-trade-is-coming-but-not-one-that-will-help-them-this-year","meta":{"title":"Pittsburgh Penguins' Slow Start Could Signal A Trade Is Coming — But Not One That Will Help Them This Year","site_name":"The Hockey News","url":"https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-slow-start-could-signal-a-trade-is-coming-but-not-one-that-will-help-them-this-year","description":"With losses mounting, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is at a crossroads: he can try and get the team into one last playoff spot or start selling off pieces for the future. The latter approach might be painful to watch, but it's the right move for an aging team.","image":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/6d6478c5-1aa2-4949-8759-217245453dc0.jpeg","type":"jpeg","width":"1150","height":"493"}}}},{"id":"woekhtc5M_","type":"header","data":{"text":"29. Calgary Flames (2-6-0, -20. PR: 29) ","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"cSfCJgBiDk","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Even if the Flames don't win many games this season, Devin Cooley's interviews will keep us interested. "}},{"id":"8_2XMvTQ9C","type":"header","data":{"text":"30. Philadelphia Flyers (2-6-3, -19. PR: 32)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"QhPLKV4EqI","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Wait, the Flyers actually won? Against the Avs?! Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone combined for four points in those wins despite averaging just 14 minutes per game. It's almost as if they should play them more or something. "}},{"id":"1jl4bJYkv0","type":"header","data":{"text":"31. Los Angeles Kings (1-4-2, -10. PR: 31)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"j9R0jAkZWB","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Kings finally won a game, snapping their worst start since 1984. Their offense has either been feast or famine; three games with at least four goals scored and four games with only one goal scored. "}},{"id":"p6suRtdnAa","type":"header","data":{"text":"32. Vancouver Canucks (2-8-1, -18. PR: 30)","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"t0cXfiFwz5","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Canucks are the only team without a win over the past two weeks. "}},{"id":"DKj1JaKs1Z","type":"delimiter","data":{}},{"id":"dLQMPDIVLL","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"size":"full","alignment":"center","linkUrl":"https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription","file":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f542c8dd-c076-40a4-8d17-3f19c3dfde67.jpeg"}}},{"id":"6dUBVWDic9","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free."}},{"id":"YR-vyIjr1F","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum."}}],"version":"2.31.6"}

Hope in Humboldt: Parents of Jacob Leicht find purpose in the face of tragedy

Broncos brotherhood: Former players to carry their fallen teammates with them forever