The Kings, Ducks, and Golden Knights are on the rise, while Canucks fans are watching an all-too-familiar struggle play out in Vancouver.
8. Seattle Kraken (4-10-1)
Last week: 8
It’s been tough sledding for the Kraken as of late, now losers of four straight games. The struggles of netminder Philipp Grubauer, in year one of a six-year, $35.4-million contract ($5.9 M AAV), through his first dozen starts with the team have gotten at least a little bit concerning. Grubauer owns an .880 save percentage and 3.18 goals against average on the year. Over his last three starts, he’s been lit up for a total of 13 goals on just 77 shots.
This week: VS CHI, VS COL, VS WSH
7. Vancouver Canucks (5-9-2)
Last week: 7
Yikes.
Things are getting ugly in Vancouver. The Canucks have dropped four straight games and are 2-7-1 in their last 10. They were outscored 20-6 over their last three games.
Jim Benning is in his eighth year as this team’s general manager. Aside from a decent run in the bubble two seasons ago, there’s been almost no success to speak of. How much more of this is ownership willing to tolerate? It’s feeling more and more like the breaking point is nearing.
This week: VS COL, VS WPG, VS CHI
6. San Jose Sharks (7-6-1)
Last week: 4
After a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames to begin their road trip, the Sharks were outscored by a total of 10-3 by the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche. The good news for San Jose is the team is starting to get some players back from the early season COVID-19 outbreak they endured. Erik Karlsson, Timo Meier, and Kevin Lebanc were among the players who returned to the lineup in Denver on Saturday for the first time in two weeks. Karlsson and Meier each picked up an assist in the 6-2 loss.
This week: @ MIN, @ STL, VS WSH
5. Anaheim Ducks (9-4-3)
Last week: 6
How about those Ducks?
Anaheim may have a case as the season’s biggest surprise so far. Sunday’s 5-1 win over Vancouver was the team’s seventh consecutive victory.
Troy Terry’s unbelievable season keeps rolling along. An assist on Sunday extended his point streak to 14 games. Trevor Zegras got in on the fun on Sunday, too, scoring a pair of goals and adding a very nice assist.
This week: VS WSH, VS CAR
4. LA Kings (8-5-2)
Last week: 5
A tough loss in Winnipeg on Saturday snapped the LA Kings’ winning streak at seven games. They allowed a shorthanded goal to Dylan DeMelo of all people to tie the game with under seven minutes to go in the third period before Mark Scheifele won it early on in overtime.
But the Kings will happily head home with the seven of eight possible points they got on their Canadian road trip and hope to carry that momentum over as they begin a seven-game homestand. Apparently, we didn’t realize how much they missed Andreas Athanasiou in the early part of the season. He’s made a big impact since returning to the lineup, scoring five points (2-3-5) in five games and fitting in very nicely on a line with Phillip Danault and Alex Iafallo.
This week: VS WSH, VS CAR, VS ARI
3. Calgary Flames (8-3-4)
Last week: 2
A lot’s gone right for Calgary in the early part of the season, but the team’s play in 3-on-3 overtime hasn’t been one of those things. Friday’s 2-1 OT loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs dropped their overtime record on the season to 1-4 and was their third OT loss already in just seven games in November.
So on Sunday, the Flames decided they’d just take care of business in regulation with a 4-0 spanking of the Ottawa Senators. Dan Vladar made 27 saves for his first career shutout and Calgary’s fifth of the season already. Meanwhile, Andrew Mangiapane continues to be one of the more underrated players in the league. He deflected a Sean Monahan shot in to open the scoring on Sunday for his 10th goal in 15 games so far this season, becoming the fastest Flame to reach double digits since newly-minted Hall-of-Famer Jarome Iginla in 2007-08.
This week: @ PHI, @ BUF, @ NYI, @ BOS
2. Vegas Golden Knights
Last week: 3
The ship appears to have been righted in Vegas. The Golden Knights have won eight of their last 10 games and are have won the first three games of a six-game homestand. Captain Mark Stone returned from a 12-game absence on Saturday, picking up an assist in the Knights’ 7-4 win over the Canucks.
But while Stone may be back in the lineup, Alec Martinez is out after this scary injury he suffered last Thursday.
Ouch. All the best to Marty in his recovery.
This week: VS CAR, VS DET, VS CBJ
1. Edmonton Oilers (11-3-0)
Last week: 1
The Oilers split the first four games of a five-game road trip last week, which is good enough to keep them in the spot for now.
The Edmonton section of these rankings may or not become more or less a weekly reminder of how incredible Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are. Look at this nonsense:
This week will provide an opportunity for the Oilers to show they’re a different team this year and avenge last season’s stunning first-round sweep at the hands of the Jets.
This week: @ WPG, VS WPG, VS CHI
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