The NHL’s Metropolitan Division has made a strong impression in the early part of the season, showcasing its depth as a competitive force. At least four of the division's eight teams have secured spots in the top ten of Moneyline's Power Rankings this week, with the Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, and New York Rangers making their way into the top five. The Capitals and Hurricanes maintained their positions from the previous week while the Rangers climbed to No. 5, moving up two spots from seventh and surpassing the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
In contrast, other teams have shown varying fortunes. The Anaheim Ducks have seen a resurgence, jumping seven spots to No. 19 after a string of solid performances. Conversely, the Vancouver Canucks faced significant challenges, dropping eight spots from No. 6 to No. 14 amidst injury woes. The rankings were determined by a voting system that allocated points from 32 for the top team down to one point for the 32nd. The compiled votes reflect the overall performance of teams up to November 19, following the completion of their games.
Among the teams at the bottom of the rankings, the Chicago Blackhawks struggled dramatically, landing at the cell with an overall record of 6-12-1. Connor Bedard, the highly touted second-year player, has had difficulty replicating his rookie success, scoring only three goals so far this season compared to 22 in his debut year. Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators have had a dismal start at 6-10-3, although a power-play goal from Steven Stamkos helped them secure a win against Vancouver. The San Jose Sharks have also seen some improvement as Macklin Celebrini returned to the lineup, contributing to the team's better performance after a dreadful start.
Other teams have also experienced fluctuations in their performance. The Montreal Canadiens found some solace in their recent efforts, winning three out of their last four games, including a shutout against Edmonton. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins have struggled, allowing a two-goal lead to slip away against Tampa Bay, marking their fourth loss in five attempts. The Detroit Red Wings faced difficulties during a western trip, allowing 15 goals over three games. In St. Louis, the Blues began strongly but have encountered significant struggles recently, which has raised concerns about their performance moving forward.
There are ongoing dynamics affecting coaching decisions in the league; the Columbus Blue Jackets' 5-1 victory over the Boston Bruins prompted the firing of coach Jim Montgomery after a subpar season start. Despite a good record in his coaching stint, it became evident that results were not aligning with expectations. Denver’s Colorado Avalanche have rebounded well, winning five of the last seven games after starting 0-4-0. The Edmonton Oilers are witnessing an impressive performance from Connor McDavid, who has recorded multiple points in eight games since November 9. Amid these performances, the Vancouver Canucks face ongoing challenges with several key players injured, making their road to recovery difficult. The Flames have turned their trajectory around after a rough stretch with three wins in their past four games, showcasing improved play behind the strong efforts of goalie Dustin Wolf.
As teams continue to navigate through the season, the struggles of the Canucks and the resurgence of the Ducks highlight the fluctuating nature of the league. The Rangers and the Wild remain at the top of the rankings while players like Auston Matthews continue to affect their teams' dynamics from the sidelines due to injury. With teams vying for a strong position as the season progresses, every game counts, and the competition remains fierce across the league.
