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With another week of NHL in the record books, Joe Sakic finds his way there as well. Sakic recorded his 1600th career point on Friday night against Calgary, scoring 1 goal and 1 assist. The game was won 3-2 off a goal in overtime by Ryan Smyth, who Monday made his return to Edmonton. It was his first game since being traded to the Islanders last season. He did not record a point, but the fans gave their longtime and former captain a standing ovation. At nights end, Smyth was happier than the Edmonton fans as the Avalanche skated off with a victory.
In other news concerning Colorado, Peter Forsberg has said they are one of two teams he would return to. The other is cup contender Ottawa Senators. Forsberg had knee surgery this past offseason, and has not played since.
Through the first three weeks of the season, only one player has scored a point in every single game played. That man is Henrik Zetterberg, who also leads the league in points with 21. He is key to Detroit’s offense as no team has been able to stop him yet, along with line mates Tomas Holmstrom and Pavel Datsyuk.
News Flash: The Philadelphia Flyers are the dirtiest team in the NHL. Well, we knew that for the most part already with two players suspended 20+ games for dirty hits to the head. Add Randy Jones, courtesy of Jon, to the list. Although the intent was not there when he boarded Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins from behind, it was still a hit to head. Bergeron left the game, unconscious. Best of luck to Bergeron, and as for Jones, a long suspension awaits.
Now onto the rankings...
30. Atlanta Thrashers 3-8-0: They came away with a 2-1 week. Unfortunately that loss was to Nashville, and they are still the worst team.
29. Phoenix Coyotes 3-5-0: Aebischer has been waived and the goalie situation is settled. Now they need to figure out how to win a few behind Auld
28. Florida Panthers(-5) 4-7-0: Giving up 15 goals in the last 4 games and losing to Nashville drops them a ways.
27. Nashville Predators 4-6-0: The Pred’s wins last week are vs teams ranked lower than them. However, they can prove themselves on the upcoming 5 game road trip.
26. New York Rangers(+2) 3-6-1: They’ve been shutout 3 times, yet Shanahan leads the league in shots, and they have all that firepower. I don’t get it.
25. New Jersey Devils(-7) 3-6-1: Devils have lost 4 in a row. There is no defense for Brodeur. When they do win, there’s lots of scoring.
24. Edmonton Oilers(+2) 5-7-0: The Oilers knocked off the Wild in OT, and that’s about it. They outshoot their opponents, but need to make use of those shots.
23. Washington Capitals(-1) 4-6-0: Playing like a typical Eastern conference team, they lost to two Western conference teams…But Semin is back, so Ovechkin gets more help.
22. Los Angeles Kings(+2) 6-6-0: On a 4 game win streak, Frolov, Cammalleri, and Kopitar are scoring. They need some defense though as the +/- ratings are taking a hit.
21. Anaheim Ducks(-4) 4-7-1: Losing three in a row, its starting to look like a Stanley Cup hangover, not just from London.
20. Vancouver Canucks(+1) 5-7-0: It doesn't look like Luongo can carry the teams the whole year. Naslund needs to step up.
19. Toronto Maple Leafs(+6) 5-4-3: Allowed 3 goals in the last 2 games. Are they learning to play defense!?
18. Buffalo Sabres(+1) 5-5-0: Sabres win a few, lose a few, win a few, and right now losing a few. They need to get the power play going.
17. Chicago Blackhawks(-11) 5-6-0: What a bad week. They lost 3 in a row, and one to Atlanta! And they outshot every opponent.
16. New York Islanders(-2) 5-4-1: After a weeks rest, they were on the other side of an 8-3 thrashing by Carolina, who was pissed for allowing 7 the night before.
15. Pittsburgh Penguins(-2) 5-4-1: The good news is they’ve netted a power play in every game this season. The bad: they have lost 2 straight, and have Minnesota next.
14. San Jose Sharks(-2) 5-5-1: The win then lose strategy didn’t work, so they went to win two, lose two. They turn it on and off, playing some night, not the other.
13. Tampa Bay Lightning(-1) 5-3-1: Not sure if I’m sold on Holmqvist, but they definitely have the offense for a Cup run.
12. Colorado Avalanche(+3) 7-4-1: Undefeated at home and winning 3 straight. The penalty kill is going good too, because the power play isn’t.
11. Dallas Stars(-3) 5-3-2: A loss to LA wasn’t what they wanted, but rebounded nicely against Phoenix. Still waiting for Modano to score.
10. Boston Bruins(-3) 6-4-0: They were on a roll, but when it came to playing the tip teams in the league, they lost to Montreal and Philadelphia.
9. Columbus Blue Jackets(+11): 6-3-1: Second in the league in 2nd in GA, and they have the highest power play. Plus, Leclaire has 4 shutouts.
8. Calgary Flames(+2) 5-3-3: Mikka Kiprusoff has played in every game, and they’ll need him to play stellar. Finishing out the 7 game home stand with 2 more wins in key.
7. St. Louis Blues(+2) 6-3-0: Columbus shut them out, but they won 2 other games. Kariya has 11 assists, Boyes 8 goals, great additions.
6. Montreal Canadiens(+10) 6-2-2: Winning 4 in a row, and pummeled Carolina in Raleigh.
5. Philadelphia Flyers(-3) 7-3-0: They lost 2 this week, and one to Florida. The penalty kill needs to get on par with the power play.
4. Carolina Hurricanes(+1) 7-2-3: They have won 3 of 4, but the penalty is hideous, 3rd worst in the NHL.
3. Minnesota Wild(-1) 7-2-2: This once unbeatable team has dropped 3 straight. Time to put Backstrom back in…
2. Detroit Red Wings(+2) 9-2-1: No one can stop Zetterberg. I mean no one, he has a point in all 13 games so far.
1. Ottawa Senators(+1) 9-1-0: This team is almost unstoppable as Zetterberg, only one team beat them. But they still have the firepower and goaltending to be #1.
Who is your top ten?
Source: (Yahoo!Sports)
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