Central Division Power Rankings: Week 1

Central Division Power Rankings: Week 1

1. Detroit Red Wings (3-1-1, 7 pts, 2nd in Division Standings): With wins over Chicago, Anaheim and Phoenix, the Red Wings have gotten themselves off to a good start after an unusually early exit in the postseason, scary as that sounds talking about a team that was eliminated in the Conference Semifinals. Todd Bertuzzi has 6 points in five games, and the only guy that seems to be struggling is Tomas Holmstrom, who’s yet to nab a point.

2. Nashville Predators (3-0-1, 7 pts, 1st in Division Standings): Long considered outsiders in a division that featured perennial playoff contenders like the Blackhawks, Red Wings and pre-lockout Blues, the Preds have made the playoffs in four of the last five years, and look better this year than they have since starting the the 2005-06 season 8-0. Even with an injury to newly-anointed starter Pekka Rinne, Nashville has soldiered on so far. Still, with Detroit and Chicago in the division, it’s tough to see them finishing higher than 5th or 6th in the West.

3. Chicago Blackhawks (3-2-1, 7 pts, 3rd in Division Standings): I know, you’re thinking, they won the Cup, they lost half their forwards, and they’ve still got the same amount of points as the other top two teams in their division, what does a team have to do to get some respect around here? Yes, Marian Hossa, Tomas Kopecky and Patrick Sharp are all off to great starts, as are most of the Blackhawks, but their three wins so far are against the Blue Jackets and struggling Sabres. With games against Vancouver, St. Louis and Los Angeles in the next two weeks, we’ll see just how good the Hawks really are.

4. St. Louis Blues (2-1-1, 5 pts, 4th in Division Standings): With some impressive performances from both their unheralded offense and their much-heralded offseason acquisition Jaroslav Halak, the Blues have been very competitive so far. An overtime win over Philadelphia and a convincing win against Anaheim started the season, while one goal losses to the Predators and high-flying Dallas Stars should keep this Blues team hungry. A home-and-home against Chicago this week will speak volumes about this team.

5. Columbus Blue Jackets (2-2-0, 4 pts, 5th in Division Standings): After splitting two games with the San Jose Sharks in Sweden, the Blue Jackets dropped their home opener to the Stanley Cup champs, but rebounded with a win over Minnesota the next night. Despite some promising talent on their roster, it’s just hard to see the Blue Jackets competing in a very tough Central Division.