Power Rankings, Week 9: A Familiar Name Reaches the Top

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Tyler J. Altemose

It took quite a while, but they're finally back on top. They've had goaltending issues for a better part of the first quarter of the season. They've struggled, fought, and have officially overcome. With 34 points they now sit up top in the league standings with the big boys once again. Ladies and gentlemen, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Current Rank: 1 | Previous Rank: 7 | +6

Here come the Penguins! Seven straight wins whils outscoring their opponents 21-10 in the process is enough to send them to the top spot this week.

Washington Capitals

Current Rank: 2 | Previous Rank: 3 | +1

The Caps slipped up last week, but they're back on track.

Vancouver Canucks

Current Rank: 3 | Previous Rank: 5 | +2

The 'Nucks straight-up dominated this week, outscoring their opponents 17-5. Wow.

Detroit Red Wings

Current Rank: 4 | Previous Rank: 6 | +2

This is a simple case of a successful franchise having yet another successful season. Keep up the good work, Wings.

Montreal Canadiens

Current Rank: 5 | Previous Rank: 4 | -1

You'd think the Canadiens would have performed a little better than 3 out of 6 points against the Thrashers, Sabres, and Oilers.

Philadelphia Flyers

Current Rank: 6 | Previous Rank: 1 | -5

The Flyers have hit their annual "late November/early December" slump. Nothing new here.

Anaheim Ducks

Current Rank: 7 | Previous Rank: 10 | +3

Strong week for Jonas Hiller and Company.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Current Rank: 8 | Previous Rank: 2 | -6

Chris Mason and the Jackets have dropped three straight contests for the first time this season.

San Jose Sharks

Current Rank: 9 | Previous Rank: 9 | +/-0

A 4.67 GAA this week doesn't bode well for the Sharks' goaltending tandem.

Dallas Stars

Current Rank: 10 | Previous Rank: 20 | +10

Four straight wins for the first time since opening night.

Chicago Blackhawks

Current Rank: 11 | Previous Rank: 21 | +10

Three straight wins for the first time since mid-October. Pretty impressive.

Ottawa Senators

Current Rank: 12 | Previous Rank: 12 | +/-0

The Senators aren't doing much to save the Northeast division. The Leafs are irrelevant, the Sabres are woeful, and these guys aren't much better.

Boston Bruins

Current Rank: 13 | Previous Rank: 13 | +/-0

The Bruins were having a rough week until Tim Thomas put on a clinic against the Flyers.

St. Louis Blues

Current Rank: 14 | Previous Rank: 8 | -6

The Blues derailed earlier in the month then got back on track. Well, the crazy train is back off the tracks again as the Blues have lost four straight in regulation.

Colorado Avalanche

Current Rank: 15 | Previous Rank: 14

The more I follow this team, the more I like them.

Los Angeles Kings

Current Rank: 16 | Previous Rank: 11

I think the phrase "in free fall" accurately describes the Kings, who have lost 7 of their past 8.

Carolina Hurricanes

Current Rank: 17 | Previous Rank: 16 | -1

Not a bad week for the 'Canes, who were up against some pretty stiff competition.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Current Rank: 18 | Previous Rank: 18 | +/-0

The Lightning have suffered just one regulation loss in the past eight games.

Phoenix Coyotes

Current Rank: 19 | Previous Rank: 17 | -2

Things aren't looking pretty for the Phoenix Coyotes organization.

New York Rangers

Current Rank: 20 | Previous Rank: 19 | -1

Lundqvist gets two straight wins for the first time in a month.

Atlanta Thrashers

Current Rank: 21 | Previous Rank: 23 | +2

The Thrashers are in the midst of their longest winning streak since 16 March 2009. A win Thursday against the Pens means their longest in franchise history.

Minnesota Wild

Current Rank: 22 | Previous Rank: 15 | -7

I don't know if it's because the fans are so passionate, because it's their tenth anniversary, or what, but I really wish this Wild squad was performing better than they are.

Florida Panthers

Current Rank: 23 | Previous Rank: 22 | -1

It's been a short, uneventful week for the Panthers.

Nashville Predators

Current Rank: 24 | Previous Rank: 26 | +2

My dark horse in the West is showing some signs of life, but it's too early to tell if this is just a fluke or not.

Calgary Flames

Current Rank: 25 | Previous Rank: 24 | -1

Remember 1989!

Buffalo Sabres

Current Rank: 26 | Previous Rank: 25 | -1

I know they're having a rough season so far, but you're not going to do well any week you play the Penguins and Habs at this point. I don't care who you are.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Current Rank: 27 | Previous Rank: 27 | +/-0