Oct. 22

Introducing the Power Rankings jinx. After ascending to the top in Week 1, the Red Wings lost to the Calgary Flames. After taking over the reins in Week 2, the Canadiens dropped three straight.

So, why are the Islanders at No. 1 when the Wings beat them in overtime two weeks ago? Frankly, because overtime these days isn't the way the game is really played. Until playoff overtime is changed to four-on-four, regular season overtime losses will still feel like ties.

Let us know what you think about this week's rankings and we'll post the best responses in Rank Comments.

Team	Pvs.	W-L-T-OL	The skinny
1. Islanders	3	6-0-1-1	The Isles are 14.5 seconds from being 8-0.
2. Red Wings	6	7-1-0-0	Uwe Krupp played his first game with the Wings in almost three years Saturday. Amazing how discord disappears when you're a favorite to win the Cup.
3. Flames	5	6-1-0-1	For the record, the Flames are averaging 1,000 fewer fans than last season at this time. Proof that winning doesn't cure all ills. (See also: Islanders)
4. Oilers	4	6-2-1-0	Doug Weight? Who's Doug Weight?
5. Blues	10	3-1-3-0	The Blues have blown leads in five of their seven games.
6. Wild	2	3-0-3-1	On their way to an improbable 3-0-78-1 record, the Wild will be the only undefeated team in NHL history...and they won't make the playoffs.
7. Maple Leafs	11	4-3-1-0	As soon as anyone figures out what the Leafs are about, will you let us know?
8. Flyers	9	3-2-3-0	Boucher or Cechmanek? We can't decide either.
9. Stars	16	3-2-2-1	Both Marty Turco (13 runs) and Ed Belfour (6 runs) pitched in the Stars' charity softball game. Fun? Yes. The best thing for a goalie? We'll find out.
10. Sharks	8	2-1-3-1	No truth to the rumor that Mike Ricci got his hair cut because of the Sharks' slow start.
11. Bruins	14	4-2-2-0	Don't get too excited. The Bruins are just 1-1 vs. last year's playoff teams.
12. Avalanche	7	4-4-0-0	Sure, plenty of fast starters fade, but with almost half their roster headed for the Olympics, the time to stockpile points is now.
13. Sabres	13	4-3-1-1	With five goals, Slava Kozlov is doing his part to make the deal for Hasek a wash.
14. Rangers	18	4-3-1-0	A video tribute to Adam Graves? The Rangers are turning the National Hockey League into the National Hug League (either that or they feel guilty trading him).
15. Canadiens	1	4-3-1-0	The worse sign isn't the three straight losses, it's scoring just one goal in each.
16. Hurricanes	15	4-3-0-1	Another gem from Jeff O'Neill in the News & Observer: "It reminds me of my best friends from home -- when they see a hot babe, they're stunned, and they don't know what to do. It's the same way with our power play."
17. Capitals	17	4-4-0-0	Line of the Week comes from Vartan Kupelian and Mike O'Hara of the Detroit News: "Wonder if Jagr has trouble getting bumped off America Online like the rest of us?"
18. Senators	12	3-5-1-0	A three-game losing streak and the Sens get a day off. As if early in the season is the time to lay off.
19. Blackhawks	23	4-3-2-0	Sure the Hawks are undefeated in their last four. It doesn't mean they're a better team.
20. Coyotes	21	3-3-2-0	In case you didn't notice, Daniel Briere is second in the league with four power-play goals.
21. Lightning	24	3-4-0-0	All this winning is taking the fun out of picking on the Lightning.
22. Devils	29	2-3-0-1	OK, so they found the net.
23. Penguins	30	2-4-0-1	Isn't it nice when the guy who coaches the team is actually the coach.
24. Thrashers	22	1-2-1-2	Question: Can the Ray Ferraro bobblehead doll take faceoffs?
25. Mighty Ducks	25	3-5-1-0	As goes Paul Kariya (one goal in nine games), so go the Ducks.
26. Blue Jackets	19	1-3-4-0	The Blues Jackets are 0-for-24 on the power play at home.
27. Kings	27	2-4-1-1	Too bad there's no takebacks on free agency.
28. Canucks	20	2-6-1-0	Six games left in Todd Bertuzzi's suspension. They're 0-3-1-0 without him so far.
29. Predators	26	1-4-2-0	The Predators are finding out the hard way how valuable Cale Hulse is.
30. Panthers	28	1-6-1-0	Is it too late to redeem the warranty on Val Bure from the Flames?