Christmas may be right around the corner. However, the power rankings secret formula does not take into account the gift-giving season. In fact, with one third of the season gone by, it's about time teams start beating the teams they should and decrease the surplus playoff population. Bah, humbug.
This out of the nation's capital: The top three teams in the Southeast Division (Washington, Atlanta and Carolina) are a combined 21-11-1 since Thanksgiving and 14-7-1 in December. Too bad the season started in October.
ESPN.com's secret formula has taken it all in and spit it back out. To right any wrongs, click here and give us a few Rank Comments of your own.
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Team
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PVS
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W-L-T-OL
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ESPN.com says
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1. Blues
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1
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21-4-4-0
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Set a club record with eight straight wins and tie a pesky Red Wings team and we'll keep you in first, too.
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2. Senators
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4
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19-8-4-0
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With wins over Flames and Isles, Sens are 8-2 in their last 10. Isn't it nice when good teams win the games they should?
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3. Devils
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6
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15-11-6-0
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Avs, Pens and Leafs blew it last week, so the Devils' rise is by default. Plus, who can blame them for a loss on the road to the Born-again Bullies?
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4. Sharks
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9
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19-6-4-0
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Gotta respect three one-goal wins. How much? About five spots in the rankings.
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5. Avalanche
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2
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21-6-5-0
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0-1-2 is not the best way to start a six-game homestand.
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6. Penguins
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3
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14-13-4-1
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Jagr changes skates and scores a natural hat trick, but Pens still tie the Canadiens. OK, so Mario isn't back just yet.
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7. Canucks
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7
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17-9-4-2
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One game last week – a 4-3 win at home over Columbus. No heavy lifting.
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8. Maple Leafs
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5
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17-8-4-3
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Entering the week, the Leafs were 15-1-1 when Mats Sundin had a point. He had one each in losses to the Islanders and Calgary. So much for that theory.
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9. Flyers
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13
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14-12-6-0
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The Flyers are 2-0-2 under new coach Bill Barber. Are the Bullies officially back?
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10. Red Wings
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11
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18-11-3-2
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Signs of life from Scotty Bowman's "second tier" team – a win at Colorado, a tie at St. Louis.
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11. Sabres
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10
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17-10-3-1
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The Sabres' last 10: L, L, W, W, T, W, L, W, L, W. Could we have some consistency here?
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12. Stars
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8
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17-9-4-1
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Granted they went 2-1-0 last week, but being shut out by the Wild? Guh.
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13. Kings
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12
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15-10-7-0
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Ziggy Palffy is day-to-day after leaving Saturday's loss to Tampa Bay with a strained hamstring. We're concerned – but only about losing to the team with the worst road record.
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14. Capitals
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18
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13-11-6-1
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The Caps won four in a row for the first time this season. No, we're not asking for a recount.
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15. Coyotes
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15
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14-8-8-1
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The Coyotes still have not won consecutive games since Oct. 30.
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16. Thrashers
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14
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11-13-6-1
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One of these days the Thrashers will beat a team that is more than just a point or two higher than them in the standings.
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17. Ducks
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20
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13-15-4-3
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The Ducks are 2-0-0 under new coach Guy Charron. When in doubt, hire a coach named Guy.
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18. Oilers
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17
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16-14-4-0
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Only two wins in their last eight games – thank the hockey gods for the Predators.
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19. Hurricanes
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19
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12-13-4-1
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Arturs Irbe on the Wild's goal in a 1-1 tie: "Goal judge must be a Democrat. He wasn't looking for a real goal, just intent."
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20. Flames
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23
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10-14-6-4
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Slumping Val Bure gets a new agent and goes on a three-game scoring streak, including a game winner in OT. Mike Gillis' phone must be ringing off the hook.
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21. Rangers
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16
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15-17-1-0
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From Sharks captain Owen Nolan: "They've got so many offensive players. They don't seem to pay much attention to defense." We'll let you know if this changes.
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22. Bruins
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22
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11-15-3-3
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Joe Thornton is learning to pick his spots. On Saturday, it was Dave Karpa's head. Can you say "suspension?"
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23. Lightning
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25
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10-16-3-2
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A four-game trip with a tie in Colorado and a win in L.A. Columbus takes over as league's worst road team.
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24. Predators
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21
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11-15-6-1
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Getting shut out by Chicago? It may take us a while to get over that.
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25. Wild
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27
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9-17-5-2
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A shut out of Dallas at home. Do they get their names on the Cup for that?
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26. Islanders
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26
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9-16-4-2
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Minor leaguers yanked from Lowell. The coach threatened in front of the team. Ah, life on the Isle.
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27. Blue Jackets
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24
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9-20-2-2
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Jackets follow 2-0-1-0 week with 0-2-0-1 week.
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28. Blackhawks
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28
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11-18-2-2
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The Hawks waived goaltender Rob Tallas. Now that should turn them around.
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29. Panthers
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30
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6-14-6-5
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Don't get excited. The only reason the Panthers moved up a spot is they won a game last week and Montreal didn't.
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30. Canadiens
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29
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9-20-4-0
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Maybe they should have hired a coach named Guy.
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