Local Hockey Power Rankings- Week 1

Just half of a week into regular season hockey and the four teams covered here at Double G Sports have all begun their seasons. As a reminder, each team gets four points for a first-place vote, three for a second-place vote and so on. This week, we had four voters, including myself, so, without further ado, here are the week one power rankings.

1. New York Rangers (16 points, 4 first-place votes) Last week: 2

Record: 2-0-0 (2-0-0 last week) Week MVP: Mika Zibanejad

The Blueshirts have begun the season on fire thanks to their first line center Mika Zibanejad. With four goals and four assists in the team’s first two games, Zibanejad has become just the second player in Rangers history to begin a season with eight points in the first two games joining Rod Gilbert (0-8—8) in 1976-77. They Rangers were able to come out on top of a back and forth 6-4 game against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday before thrashing the Senators 4-1 on Saturday. Their next game won’t be until Saturday, Oct. 12th when the Edmonton Oilers visit the Garden.

2. Philadelphia Flyers (11 points) Last week: 4

Record: 1-0-0 (1-0-0 last week) Week MVP: Travis Konecny

The Flyers have yet to play in the United States this season but were able to pick up a victory in their season opener. Travis Konecny picked up two goals in Prague, Czech Republic as the Flyers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3. Philly returns to the US on Wednesday, Oct 9th in their home opener against the New Jersey Devils.

3. New York Islanders (9 points) Last week: 1

Record: 1-1-0 (1-1-0 last week) Week MVP: Anthony Beauvillier

The Isles fell flat in their home opener, losing to the Washington Captials 2-1, where the only goal they could muster went off four Caps players and the post, and looking overall sluggish. They turned it around in game two against the Jets, winning 4-1, to bring their record to even. Anthony Beauvillier, looking to prove he can be a consistant source of offense has had a great start with a goal and two assists so far. Coach Barry Trotz also passed former Isles bench boss Al Arbour for third on the all-time games coached list with 1,608. They finish a three-game season opening homestand Oct. 8th against the Oilers.

4. New Jersey Devils (4 points) Last week: 3

Record: 0-1-1 (0-1-1 last week) Week MVP: Blake Coleman

It was a rough week for the Devils as they let a 4-0 lead late in the second period slip away against the Jets (they made the trip around the tri-state this week), eventually losing in a shootout and then turn around and get smacked by Buffalo. Oh, and Cory Schneider had to leave the first game with “lower body cramping.” Not a great start for a team who made some flashy off-season moves. At least Blake Coleman got on a bunch of highlight reels. The Devils will search for their first win Wednesday in Philadelphia.