Oct. 9, 2000

It's a quick Power Rankings turnaround, but like a good, high-fiber diet, ESPN.com wants users to have an idea of what it means to be "regular" with our hockey coverage. And Monday is Power Rankings day. And since the first Ranking last Thursday, there are already some significant changes. Buffalo looks like they might actually play well in the regular season -- and not just the playoffs -- while Phoenix played well in two 4-1 wins.

ESPN.com's secret formula has taken it all into account. To right any wrongs, click here and give us a few Rank Comments of your own. If you don't like our Rankings, make up your own, and we'll do our best to find one good enough -- and clean enough -- to display on ESPN.com.

Team	PVS	W-L-T	ESPN.com says
1. Devils	3	1-0-0	OK, OK, so the champs deserve to start up top, especially after showing they can score without two of their best offensive players -- Jason Arnott and Scott Niedermayer.
2. Avalanche	1	0-0-2	Hey, they haven't lost yet. But they haven't won yet either. Patrick Roy has to wait a bit for his record.
3. Blues	4	2-1-0	Ho hum. The Blues play stifling team defense. Wednesday's game vs. the Kings should be a good test.
4. Maple Leafs	6	1-0-0	So far, so good. Could this be the year a Canadian team competes for the Cup? (Can't wait for the North of the Border complaints on that one.)
5. Sabres	9	2-0-0	Message to Mike Peca: Sign now, so the Sabres can romp in the Northeast Division.
6. Red Wings	5	1-1-0	Like any classic, late-model car ... sometimes it takes a while to warm up.
7. Coyotes	10	2-0-0	Turmoil. What turmoil? Talk of Coyotes' on-ice demise amid the ownership transfer could be grossly exaggerated.
8. Senators	8	1-0-1	Now, let's see how good these guys can be now that Alexei Yashin's back in the lineup -- and playing his game.
9. Stars	2	0-1-1	Slow starts aren't of much concern in Dallas. But a win would be nice.
10. Flyers	7	1-1-0	If any non-bitter Philly fans remained, they're sufficiently cynical after the Flyers get throttled by Boston -- and then the Eagles botch one on Sunday.
11. Kings	12	1-1-0	Another good start for Luc Robitaille, who doesn't seem ready to slow down.
12. Oilers	17	1-0-1	Just what the new management needed: A solid start for the forever-young bunch.
13. Capitals	13	0-1-1	A game in Atlanta never looked better for the Caps. Things will get better once Sergei Gonchar and Olaf Kolzig get back in the lineup.
14. Panthers	11	0-0-0-1	Too early to tell with these guys. But keep an eye on the goalie situation ... Luongo looms.
15. Penguins	14	1-1-0	One good period. One good win. Time to shake off the jet lag and get down to business late in the week.
16. Bruins	22	1-0-1	Great start for Joe Thornton and Jason Allison. Now might be a good time to trade Anson Carter for a proven goalie.
17. Rangers	15	1-0-0	Brian Leetch sums it up for all Rangers fans: "Thank goodness we have him (Mark Messier) back."
18. Ducks	20	1-1-0	Sue us if this is redundant ... but, geez, somebody has to step up. An off night by Paul Kariya or Teemu Selanne surely means a loss.
19. Sharks	16	0-1-0	Late signeees still getting their sea legs. Another week will help. But Owen Nolan would help more.
20. Canucks	18	2-1-0	A huge comeback in Tampa Bay should boost confidence. Hopefully, some rubs off on struggling Felix Potvin (nine goals in two games).
21. Lightning	24	0-1-1	Late-game collapse vs. Vancouver is not what a young team needs as it tries to learn how to win. But the Lightning show flashes of being much improved.
22. Hurricanes	19	0-0-1	Blowing lead in home opener wasn't too good. But hey, in the Southeast Division, a tie was still good for a three-way tie for first ... with one point.
23. Predators	27	1-1-0	The Preds could have returned from Japan with two wins. But one isn't a bad start for a team that played five good periods to start the season.
24. Blackhawks	26	1-1-0	Hawks get points for averting disaster in the comeback in Columbus ... a loss might have started another early Chicago swoon.
25. Flames	21	0-1-0	What's worse? Blowing a 3-1 lead or going 0-for-9 on the power play during the home opener. Push.
26. Islanders	23	0-0-1	Isles did alright in the opener, but games vs. Tampa Bay are ones the Isles need to win to turn things around.
27. Canadiens	25	0-2-0	Alain Vigneault is a good coach, but he's no magician ... could be an ugly year for the game's most storied franchise.
28. Blue Jackets	28	0-1-0	Welcome to the NHL ... where the games are 60 minutes. Gotta play hard for all of 'em.
29. Thrashers	30	0-1-0	Problem remains the same: No goals, no wins.
30. Wild	29	0-2-0	A win at home on Wednesday will change this. Look at Columbus' opener as a cautionary tale.