NHL Power Rankings: Big moves in the top 3, plus every team's biggest shock so far

The archetypal 2 weeks of the 2022-23 NHL play are successful the books, and portion immoderate things haven't amazed america -- the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights starring their divisions, and the Arizona Coyotes adjacent the bottommost -- determination has been nary shortage of shocks for each nine frankincense far. This week alongside our updated powerfulness rankings, we'll place the player, stat oregon inclination that has amazed america astir for each 32 teams.

How we rank: A sheet of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against 1 different -- taking into relationship crippled results, injuries and upcoming docket -- and those results are tabulated to nutrient the database featured here.

Note: Previous ranking for each squad refers to the past edition, published Oct. 21. Points paces are done Thursday's games.

1. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 0.750
Next 7 days: vs. NYI (Oct. 28), @ PHI (Oct. 29), vs. WSH (Oct. 31), @ TB (Nov. 3)

A astonishing linchpin to Carolina's aboriginal propulsion has been its 2nd line, centered by the emergent Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Hurricanes person been waiting to spot the champion of their young forward, and his portion with Andrei Svechnikov and Martin Necas is showcasing conscionable that. Kotkaniemi has been a shockingly bully two-way contributor, and is 57.5% successful the faceoff dot.

2. Boston Bruins

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 0.875
Next 7 days: @ CBJ (Oct. 28), @ PIT (Nov. 1), @ NYR (Nov. 3)

Simply put, this has been a amazingly large commencement for a squad who galore believed was past its constituent of superior contention. Boston was missing Brad Marchand (their starring scorer from past season) and Charlie McAvoy (who generates ample discourtesy from the bluish line) for the archetypal 2 weeks, and inactive managed a 6-1-0 grounds portion tying for the astir goals scored successful the league (30).

3. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 0.643
Next 7 days: @ NJ (Otc. 28), @ NYI (Oct. 29)

Colorado's powerfulness play has been shockingly good, and the Avalanche are employing an unconventional benignant to boot. While Colorado's apical portion is the classical alignment (four forwards and 1 defenseman), they've tried a 2nd portion with 3 (!) defensemen and 2 forwards. Surprisingly, that's been a winning look -- the Avalanche are astatine 50% connected the antheral advantage, astir 20 percent points amended than the adjacent team.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 0.643
Next 7 days: @ VAN (Oct. 28), @ SEA (Oct. 29), vs. BOS (Nov. 1), @ BUF (Nov. 2)

Sidney Crosby playing similar a Hart Trophy campaigner won't level anyone. When Crosby's linemate Jake Guentzel got wounded though, the astonishing prime to initially regenerate him was Danton Heinen, who is having an unexpectedly large start. The winger reeled disconnected 3 goals and six points successful his archetypal 7 games, and is playing immoderate of his champion hockey ever -- each connected a $1 cardinal deal!

5. Calgary Flames

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 0.833
Next 7 days: vs. EDM (Oct. 29), vs. SEA (Nov. 1), vs. NSH (Nov. 3)

It's nary large daze that Calgary is disconnected to a franchise-best commencement aft bringing connected Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau implicit the summer. But the chemistry Kadri recovered truthful rapidly with Andrew Mangiapane and Dillon Dube connected the Flames' 2nd line? That's a invited astonishment for Calgary's offense. It's intolerable to foretell however players volition mesh -- and getting successful the groove tin instrumentality clip -- yet that trio has been perfectly complementary.

6. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 0.750
Next 7 days: vs. ANA (Oct. 28), vs. WPG (Oct. 30), @ WSH (Nov. 1), @ OTT (Nov. 3)

How's this for balance? The white-hot Golden Knights person gotten astatine slightest 1 constituent from 19 of their 20 skaters this season. And Vegas has 14 antithetic extremity scorers already. For a nine that struggled to enactment competitory down the agelong past season, the Golden Knights' amazingly robust violative onslaught isn't letting immoderate opponents disconnected casual close now.

7. Florida Panthers

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 0.563
Next 7 days: vs. OTT (Oct. 29), @ ARI (Nov. 1), @ SJ (Nov. 3)

Remember past spring, erstwhile Florida's woeful powerfulness play contributed to the President's Trophy winner's aboriginal postseason exit? Well, successful a shocking twist, the consequent peculiar teams overhaul hasn't been good. The Panthers are averaging much power-play opportunities per crippled (4.71) than immoderate squad successful the league, but are an atrocious 6.1% astatine converting them. Both man-advantage goals Florida scored came successful the aforesaid play of the aforesaid game. Back to the drafting board.

8. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 0.563
Next 7 days: @ LA (Oct. 29), @ ANA (Oct. 30), vs. PHI (Nov. 2)

Toronto has looked shockingly retired of sorts astatine times, from their galore antiaircraft miscues to concerns implicit streaky scoring. The Leafs' amazingly unchangeable spot? Goaltending. Matt Murray whitethorn beryllium retired with an injury, but Ilya Samsonov has been excellent, providing Toronto each accidental to fig itself out. The goalie could usage a small much assistance from his friends.

9. New York Rangers

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 0.500
Next 7 days: @ DAL (Oct. 29), @ ARI (Oct. 30), vs. PHI (Nov. 1), vs. BOS (Nov. 3)

The Rangers turned successful immoderate astonishing results of precocious with losses to some Columbus and San Jose. But beneath the surface, New York's underlying numbers don't suggest catastrophe -- they're a top-five possession squad (and predominate the face-off circle), mean less than 30 shots against per crippled and much than 3 goals per game.

10. Dallas Stars

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 0.688
Next 7 days: vs. NYR (Oct. 29), vs. LA (Nov. 1), @ ARI (Nov. 3)

It's a astonishment that Roope Hintz is simply a astonishment (to some). The halfway launched into a point-per-game gait this play that followed up connected 1 of the astir unheralded 37-goal seasons successful the league successful 2021-22. While Jake Oettinger (deservedly) draws headlines and Dallas' fantabulous wide commencement to the run is great, Hintz's relation successful that occurrence shouldn't beryllium catching anyone disconnected guard.

11. Edmonton Oilers

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 0.625
Next 7 days: @ CGY (Oct. 29), vs. NSH (Nov. 1), vs. NJ (Nov. 3)

For once, Edmonton's occurrence isn't being driven wholly by conscionable those 2 players everyone ever talks astir (Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl). The Oilers person gotten amazingly accordant contributions up beforehand from their 3rd line, led by Ryan McLeod and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and that bodes good for the team's absorption this season.

12. St. Louis Blues

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 0.500
Next 7 days: vs. MTL (Oct. 29), vs. LA (Oct. 31), vs. NYI (Nov. 3)

The encore to Jordan Binnington's genuinely tumultuous 2021-22 play has been a shockingly beardown opening to this caller campaign. The Blues' netminder started 3-1-0, with 1 shutout and a .936 SV% to his credit. St. Louis believed successful Binnington adjacent erstwhile helium faltered; present the goaltender appears to beryllium proving his mettle each implicit again.

13. Ottawa Senators

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 0.571
Next 7 days: @ FLA (Oct. 29), @ TB (Nov. 1), vs. VGK (Nov. 3)

The Senators person exhibited an expected extent of scoring endowment up front. The existent astonishment successful Ottawa has been their impressively dependable defense. It's not conscionable the Thomas Chabot show, either. Artem Zub has been strong, Jake Sanderson is an emerging star, Erik Brannstrom has bounced back, and adjacent Travis Hamonic is fitting in. No wonderment Ottawa is disconnected to an encouraging start.

14. Buffalo Sabres

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 0.571
Next 7 days: vs. CHI (Oct. 29), vs. DET (Oct. 31), vs. PIT (Nov. 2)

We knew Rasmus Dahlin would beryllium good. But ... this good? Like, starring NHL defensemen successful points (9), mounting records (as the archetypal blueliner successful past to people a extremity successful 5 consecutive games to unfastened a season) and mostly dominating 1 hostile aft another? That's a bully astonishment Buffalo tin get behind.

15. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 0.571
Next 7 days: vs. MIN (Oct. 29), @ BUF (Oct. 31), vs. WSH (Nov. 3)

Detroit had a engaged offseason, acquiring escaped agents who person contributed to the team's blistery start. Elmer Soderblom is an in-house lineup summation who's been amazingly effectual aboriginal on. The rookie is an intimidating beingness connected the ice, astatine 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, and uses that size to his vantage (see: Soderblom undressing Kings defenseman Sean Durzi with an alley-oop walk -- to himself). Soderblom's 2 goals successful 5 games look similar conscionable the opening of his run.

16. New Jersey Devils

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 0.571
Next 7 days: vs. COL (Oct. 28), vs. CBJ (Oct. 30), @ VAN (Nov. 1), @ EDM (Nov. 3)

Jesper Bratt was tied for the league pb successful scoring (three goals, 12 points) done 7 games. Just similar we each predicted. Bratt is the Devils' astonishing standout truthful acold successful a commencement that included potting 2 goals and an assistance successful conscionable 13 minutes of crystal clip against Detroit. That's immoderate awesome efficiency.

17. Washington Capitals

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 0.500
Next 7 days: @ NSH (Oct. 29), @ CAR (Oct. 31), vs. VGK (Nov. 1, @ DET (Nov. 3)

The Capitals acquiring escaped cause goaltender Darcy Kuemper was their large plaything of the offseason. Its netted amazingly mediocre results. Washington is bottom-10 successful goals allowed truthful acold (3.43 per game) portion Kuemper and his caller teammates person worked to find a rhythm. These things tin instrumentality time, but fixed Kuemper's title pedigree and the veteran-laden lineup astir him, it's been an unusually dilatory transition.

18. Los Angeles Kings

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 0.444
Next 7 days: vs. TOR (Oct. 29), @ STL (Oct. 31), @ DAL (Nov. 1), @ CHI (Nov. 3)

There's been a astonishing ascension successful the Kings' ranks, and his sanction is Gabriel Vilardi. The 23-year-old had antecedently struggled to go a full-time NHLer, but that looks to beryllium successful the past arsenic Vilardi led L.A. with 7 points done 7 games retired of the gross -- which besides matched Vilardi's 25-game constituent full from a play ago. Onwards and upwards.

19. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 0.714
Next 7 days: vs. CAR (Oct. 29), @ NYR (Nov. 1), @ TOR (Nov. 2)

The Flyers going 3-0-0 retired of the gate? Shocker. The astonishing backbone of their success? Carter Hart. The netminder's 4-0-0 commencement with a .949 SV% and 1.75 GAA powered Philadelphia to a respectable spot successful the early-season standings.

20. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 0.500
Next 7 days: @ SJ (Oct. 29), vs. OTT (Nov. 1), vs. CAR (Nov. 3)

Steven Stamkos starring the Lightning with 7 goals successful 7 games? Not a surprise. That Tampa Bay scored lone 17 goals full done its archetypal 8 games? More shocking. The Lightning discourtesy has failed to drawback occurrence done a below-average commencement to this season.

21. Minnesota Wild

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 0.500
Next 7 days: @ DET (Oct. 29), @ CHI (Oct. 30), vs. MTL (Nov. 1), vs. SEA (Nov. 3)

The Wild person been a astonishing enigma aft a 113-point 2021-22 season. Minnesota went 0-3 retired of the gross with a rusty-looking Marc-Andre Fleury successful nett (posting an .847 SV% and 5.25 GAA) portion starring the NHL successful goals against. Then Fleury rebounded, and the squad somewhat followed suit successful its adjacent 3 -- with wins implicit Vancouver and Montreal and an overtime nonaccomplishment to Boston -- but what an unexpected roller coaster frankincense far.

22. New York Islanders

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 0.429
Next 7 days: @ CAR (Oct. 28), vs. COL (Oct. 29), @ CHI (Nov. 1), @ STL (Nov. 3)

The Islanders' inability to people consistently isn't truthful astonishing fixed the deficiency of offseason turnover. Ilya Sorokin's difficulties were much shocking. New York's starter went 1-3-0 to start, with a 2.84 GAA and .908 SV%. Then Sorokin posted a 41-save shutout against the Rangers. Will the existent Sorokin delight basal up?

23. Winnipeg Jets

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 0.571
Next 7 days: @ ARI (Oct. 28), @ VGK (Oct. 30), vs. MTL (Nov. 3)

From the small-sample-size department: When the Jets people 4 goals, they win. When the Jets people less than 4 goals, they lose. That's been the amazingly accordant inclination to commencement their archetypal six games -- and is somewhat shocking fixed the beingness of elite netminder Connor Hellebuyck. Let's spot however agelong it holds.

24. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 0.375
Next 7 days: vs. BOS (Oct. 28), @ NJ (Oct. 30)

A not-so-fun astonishment for the Blue Jackets: Not adjacent Johnny Gaudreau could forestall them from being the past squad successful the NHL this play to people a powerfulness play extremity (starting the play 0-for-20). Yikes.

25. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 0.571
Next 7 days: @ BUF (Oct. 29), vs. MIN (Oct. 30), vs. NYI (Nov. 1), vs. LA (Nov. 3)

The Blackhawks person been a amazingly resilient group. Despite a roster depleted of contributors from seasons past, Chicago has managed 3 come-from-behind victories already. That's not truthful bad, and surely out-paces the debased barroom of expectations astir pundits had for the Blackhawks this season.

26. Montreal Canadiens

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 0.500
Next 7 days: @ STL (Oct. 29), @ MIN (Nov. 1), @ WPG (Nov. 3)

The rebuild whitethorn beryllium connected successful Montreal, but the Canadiens' extent is amazingly beardown already. Sean Monahan and Kirby Dach person elevated Montreal up beforehand adjacent much than expected, portion the freshman-heavy backmost extremity highlighted by Arber Xhekaj and Kaiden Guhle has been making strong, accordant contributions. That's a win.

27. Nashville Predators

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 0.438
Next 7 days: vs. WSH (Oct. 29), @ EDM (Nov. 1), @ CGY (Nov. 3)

It's early, but seeing Nashville astatine the bottommost of aggregate league categories? Shocking. The Predators person consistently blown leads, and fertile among the NHL's worst successful goals, shots connected nett and successful special-teams success. Nashville has endowment successful its depths, that endowment conscionable hasn't travel to the forefront.

28. Seattle Kraken

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 0.444
Next 7 days: vs. PIT (Oct. 29), @ CGY (Nov. 1), @ MIN (Nov. 3)

The Kraken look to beryllium giving Shane Wright a amazingly constricted audition. The rookie averages less minutes (6:51 per game) than immoderate different Kraken skater, and helium hasn't had overmuch accidental to truly get involved. Given the nine-game model Seattle has to determine astir Wright's adjacent determination -- and the information Wright could beryllium playing large minutes successful with his inferior squad -- it's an absorbing strategy to take.

29. Arizona Coyotes

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 0.333
Next 7 days: vs. WPG (Oct. 28), vs. NYR (Oct. 30), vs. FLA (Nov. 1), vs. DAL (Nov. 3)

Arizona averaged much goals (3.17 per game) done their archetypal six games than the pursuing clubs: Florida, Tampa Bay, Toronto and the New York Rangers. Don't enactment similar you're not (a little) surprised.

30. San Jose Sharks

Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 0.300
Next 7 days: vs. TB (Oct. 29), vs. ANA (Nov. 1), vs. FLA (Nov. 3)

Did anyone person an Erik Karlsson resurgence connected their Sharks' Bingo card? San Jose's aboriginal returns person been iffy, but Karlsson's shockingly bully play has not been. The seasoned looks amended than helium has successful years, averaging implicit 23 minutes of crystal clip per game, and starring the Sharks successful points. Talk astir a agleam spot.

31. Vancouver Canucks

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 0.250
Next 7 days: vs. PIT (Oct. 28), vs. NJ (Nov. 1), vs. ANA (Nov. 3)

The Canucks person been shockingly atrocious astatine holding a pb (see: multiple, multi-goal advantages disappeared) during their historically mediocre 0-5-2 tally to unfastened this season. Vancouver was believed to beryllium connected the upswing, stocked with maturing young talent, unchangeable goaltending and the close veterans. Surprisingly, thing has added up yet.

32. Anaheim Ducks

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 0.214
Next 7 days: @ VGK (Oct. 28), vs. TOR (Oct. 30), @ SJ (Nov. 1), @ VAN (Nov. 3)

John Gibson has been Anaheim's redeeming grace for a fewer seasons. It's astonishing however often the Ducks inactive permission him retired to dry. Anaheim is apical 3 successful goals against (4.50), and Gibson has a below-.900 SV%, but for a squad that has immoderate bully endowment overall, it's shocking however the Ducks can't connection much enactment to their goaltender.