Power Rankings: Another week of play gives Rankings a new look

Week: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25

ESPN.com

We have a new team in the top spot. Yes, the Buf-fa-lo Sabres move to No. 1 after another strong week of play.

Thomas Vanek is tied for the league lead with seven goals, and goalie Ryan Miller is fourth in the NHL with a 1.45 goals-against average. The Sabres' special teams also have been outstanding, allowing just one power-play goal in the 30 times they've been short-handed.

We also have new residents in the Rankings basement. The Flyers are in last place as the only team yet to win a game (they've earned points in three games in either the shootout or overtime, for those of you who don't have a problem with the points system!), while the Lightning move out thanks to a win over the Thrashers.

As always, you can rank your 30 teams here. Until next week, puckheads!

-- Posted on Thursday, Oct. 23

2008-2009 Power Rankings: Week 2
	RK (PV)	TEAM	REC.	COMMENT
	1 (4)	Sabres	5-0-1	The Sabres move into our top spot after another strong week from Thomas Vanek (tied for the league lead with seven goals) and goalie Ryan Miller (1.45 GAA is fourth in the NHL). Their special teams also have been outstanding, allowing just one PPG in 30 TSH.
	2 (5)	Canadiens	5-0-1	The Habs still haven't lost in regulation, and Jaroslav Halak has given the team two solid starts. (He has a 1.00 GAA and a .967 save percentage in those two games.) The tests are coming, though, as 10 of Montreal's next 17 games are on the road.
	3 (3)	Red Wings	4-1-1	Each win has been a battle for the Red Wings (five of their six games have been one-goal decisions), so they stay put this week.
	4 (2)	Sharks	6-1-0	San Jose had to fight to beat the Flyers in a home-and-home with Philly, as neither game was decided in regulation.
	5 (1)	Rangers	5-1-0	The Rangers fall from the top spot after ending their seven-games-in-11-days stretch with a bit of a whimper. An ending to that kind of stretch is understandable. What's not? How New York has managed just one goal at home in nearly nine periods (178:28).
	6 (7)	Wild	4-0-0	The Wild have played only four games -- the least of any team in the league heading into Thursday's action.
	7 (6)	Penguins	4-2-1	Coach Michel Therrien's postgame rant after a loss to the Capitals -- "unacceptable" and "horrible" -- seemed to put the Pens back on track for now. Also, Sidney Crosby finally got on the board in the goals department.
	8 (11)	Devils	5-1-0	Martin Brodeur pretty much told Sean Avery he's a "fatso" no more. Oh, those Patrick Roy records are in sight, too.
	9 (10)	Oilers	4-1-0	The Oilers are in the midst of one heck of a road stretch -- 10 of 11 away from Rexall Place.
	10 (18)	Blues	4-2-0	Despite injuries, the Blues are still starting strongly. Their power play (40.7 percent) tops the league, they're second in league scoring (3.83), and Keith Tkachuk is tied for the NHL lead in goals (seven).
	11 (19)	Blackhawks	3-2-2	After a tumultuous turn of events, Chicago has responded. It is undefeated in regulation under new coach Joel Quenneville. Mr. Kane also has three goals and three assists in those three games.
	12 (13)	Bruins	2-1-3	Will the Bruins ever win a shootout this season?!
	13 (8)	Capitals	3-2-1	The Capitals lose some ground this week after dropping two straight, including a close one against Calgary in which their power play was nonexistent (0-for-5).
	14 (12)	Hurricanes	3-1-1	Ray Whitney is leading the charge for the Hurricanes, and he has a point in each of the team's first five games.
	15 (9)	Canucks	3-4-0	Three straight losses (and they weren't close) ended a six-game road trek. Part of the problem? Special teams. After being strong in the preseason, the Canucks are 29th in the league on the man advantage and 26th on the PK.
	16 (14)	Senators	2-3-1	As things start to unravel (again) in Ottawa, there is the start to a potential goalie controversy (again). After Martin Gerber lost two straight, Alex Auld is getting the nod this week. Hmm.
	17 (15)	Stars	2-4-1	The Stars have just one win in four games, and that was against a tired Rangers squad.
	18 (20)	Predators	3-3-0	Shea Weber's goal and three assists in Nashville's most recent outing against Columbus tied him for second among NHL defensemen in points (seven).
	19 (26)	Blue Jackets	3-3-0	Michael Peca returns this week after a five-game suspension and says he "can't hold bitterness anymore" toward the decision.
	20 (29)	Avalanche	3-3-0	Three straight wins and a jump on our list. The Avs also lead the league in goals per game (4.00 average).
	21 (24)	Kings	2-3-0	The Kings move up simply for boasting the best penalty kill in the league at a perfect 100 percent (23-for-23).
	22 (17)	Flames	2-3-1	After blowing leads and shaky goaltending from Miikka Kiprusoff, can one game make a difference? Calgary likely is hoping to build on that win versus Washington.
	23 (25)	Panthers	3-3-0	Good news from the home front: The commish said earlier this week that the Panthers "absolutely" will stay in South Florida for the long haul.
	24 (16)	Coyotes	2-3-0	The Coyotes lose some ground after three straight losses in which they were outscored 14-5.
	25 (28)	Thrashers	2-2-2	Thrashers coach John Anderson was quoted this week as saying he's planning his team's season schedule around a long playoff run. Pace yourself, Coach. We know winning is fun and all, but it's Week 2.
	26 (23)	Maple Leafs	1-2-3	In the latest edition of "The Leafs: The Rebuilding Year" ... Ron Wilson made Jason Blake a healthy scratch, and Toronto is still winless since that opening night tilt against Detroit.
	27 (22)	Ducks	2-5-0	GM Brian Burke is still preaching patience, not panic, with his Ducks.
	28 (27)	Islanders	2-3-0	The one bright spot this week: Rick DiPietro's return to the lineup.
	29 (30)	Lightning	1-2-3	Finally, a win brings the Mullet out of the basement, while ...
	30 (21)	Flyers	0-3-3	... a lack of a win puts the Flyers in "le chateau bow wow."