The two-week run of the Maple Leafs atop the Sporting News NHL power rankings comes to an end this week, though through little fault of their own. Even despite that loss Saturday to the Senators, the Leafs continue to impress. It's just we see the streaking Lightning as the best team in the league right now.
Here is this week's complete breakdown of the NHL power rankings.
PREVIOUS POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3
NHL Power Rankings 4.0
1. Tampa Bay Lightning
10-2-1, 21 pts (last week: 1)
Scored five goals or more six times already, including three of their last five games. Just put up an eight-spot on the Panthers. Mercy.
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2. St. Louis Blues
10-2-1, 21 pts (last week: 4)
Extended winning streak to four games with three victories in four nights, allowing the Hurricanes, Blue Jackets and Kings a total of four goals.
3. Los Angeles Kings
9-2-1, 19 pts (last week: 3)
Jonathan Quick starring in goal: 1.89 GAA, .942 save percentage, league-high two shutouts.
4. New Jersey Devils
9-2-0, 18 pts (last week: 10)
Rookie Jesper Bratt scored shootout winner over Senators one night and third-period game-winning goal against Coyotes the next. Devils a perfect 5-0-0 in one-goal games now.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
8-4-0, 16 pts (last week: 15)
Torts strips Brandon Dubinsky of a letter on his sweater as veteran struggles with just two points in first 12 games. You realize Artemi Panarin (one goal) is going to get hot eventually, right?
MORE: Making sense of this Metro Division madness
6. San Jose Sharks
7-5-0, 14 pts (last week: 9)
Return to Shark Tank after long east coast road trip, saluted Patrick Marleau in his return, then dominated Maple Leafs for long stretches in 3-2 win. Play seven of next eight at home.
7. Pittsburgh Penguins
8-5-1, 17 pts (last week: 5)
Defending champs terribly outplayed at even strength this season. Saturday's 7-1 loss to Jets already third time this season Pens surrendered seven goals or more.
8. Vegas Golden Knights
8-3-0, 16 pts (last week: 6)
Down to their fourth-string goalie, Golden Knights drop first two games of six-game trip to east coast.
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9. Toronto Maple Leafs
8-5-0, 16 pts (last week: 2)
Three-game losing streak. Guessing Roman Polak is not the answer on the back end.
10. New York Islanders
7-4-1, 15 pts (last week: 16)
John Tavares is en fuego with nine goals last four games. Jaroslav Halak emerging as No. 1 goalie ahead of Thomas Greiss.
11. Anaheim Ducks
6-4-1, 13 pts (last week: 11)
Ryan Getzlaf eye injury another blow. He joins Cam Fowler, Patrick Eaves and Ryan Kesler on the sidelines.
MORE: NHL's worst injuries in 2017-18
12. Dallas Stars
7-5-0, 14 pts (last week: 14)
League-best power play converting at 30.8 percent
13. Winnipeg Jets
6-3-2, 14 pts (last week: 19)
Connor Hellebuyck great again Tuesday, now 6-0-1 in seven starts this season.
14. Ottawa Senators
5-2-5, 15 pts (last week: 8)
My gosh was Saturday's loss to Canadiens ugly. So ugly that Erik Karlsson was a minus-6.
15. Nashville Predators
5-4-2, 12 pts (last week: 12)
Scott Hartnell has three goals but is a minus-9. Ouch. Ryan Johansen yet to score a goal.
MORE: Out of obscurity, Predators learn to live in NHL spotlight
16. Chicago Blackhawks
6-5-2, 14 pts (last week: 7)
Three-game losing streak. Coach Q splitting up Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad.
17. Washington Capitals
5-6-1, 11 pts (last week: 12)
Allowing 3.42 goals per game. Have lost three of last four, and four of last six.
MORE: Nathan Walker, NHL's first Australian player, took 'long, tough' road
18. Philadelphia Flyers
6-5-1, 13 pts (last week: 18)
Nolan Patrick and Shayne Gostisbehere land on the shelf. Impressive 4-2 road win in Toronto followed by OT loss to Coyotes, Arizona's only win of season.
19. Vancouver Canucks
6-3-2, 14 pts (last week: 22)
Four-game win streak snapped, but still have at least one point in last five games as surprising start picks up steam.
20. Calgary Flames
6-6-0, 12 pts (last week: 17)
Only 2-4-0 on home ice, though coming off solid 2-1 win over Caps at the 'Dome.
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21. Colorado Avalanche
6-5-0, 12 pts (last week: 20)
Absolutely crushed by Golden Knights, 7-0, last Friday only to bounce back with 6-3 win over Blackhawks 24 hours later.
22. Edmonton Oilers
3-7-1, 7 pts (last week: 21)
Incredibly averaging a league-low 2.20 goals per game.
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23. Boston Bruins
4-3-3, 11 pts (last week: 23)
David Backes is expected to miss the next eight weeks after undergoing colon surgery.
24. Minnesota Wild
4-4-2, 10 pts (last week: 24)
Two-game winning streak snapped against the Jets Tuesday.
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25. Carolina Hurricanes
4-4-2, 10 pts (last week: 26)
Jeff Skinner has seven goals in first ten games, while Sebastian Aho searches for his first.
26. New York Rangers
4-7-2, 10 pts (last week: 28)
Won two of last three, though it took a four-goal third-period rally against fourth-string goalie to beat Golden Knights on Tuesday.
27. Detroit Red Wings
6-6-1, 13 pts (last week: 25)
Won two in a row after dropping six straight.
MORE: Red Wings face long climb out of salary cap purgatory
28. Florida Panthers
4-6-1, 9 pts (last week: 27)
Cats are sixth in the league in scoring, but have second-worst GAA (3.91)
29. Montreal Canadiens
4-7-1, 9 pts (last week: 29)
Scored 13 goals last two games, wins over Rangers and Senators. Had 17 goals the previous ten games.
MORE: Canadiens' start has been unsustainably bad
30. Buffalo Sabres
3-7-2, 8 pts (last week: 30)
Own the league's fifth-worst GAA and are the third-lowest scoring team. Not a good combination.
31. Arizona Coyotes
1-11-1, 3 pts (last week: 31)
Alex Goligoski OT winner in Philly for first 'Yotes win of season! Followed by another loss to Red Wings Tuesday.