Week 3 NHL Power Rankings: Early Season Tiers Taking Shape
The latest NHL power rankings sort all 32 teams into tiers, from basement dwellers to top Stanley Cup contenders. Vancouver has lost seven straight, Los Angeles is still without a win, and Chicago has shown improvement since Connor Bedard returned. The rankings also note hat tricks from Brady Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Carter Verhaeghe.
Week 3 rankings divide all 32 clubs into five groups, from basement to top Stanley Cup hopefuls. Vancouver has fallen to No. 32 after seven consecutive losses, a stretch in which it has not exceeded two goals in any game. Los Angeles remains the only team without a win, though Philadelphia's nine-game skid ended Saturday. Chicago improved to 2-1-0 since Connor Bedard came back, even as opponents generated more chances.
The week also featured scoring bursts: Brady Tkachuk recorded hat tricks in consecutive games, followed by Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe. These results help shape early tiers, but the article cautions that the season is still young enough that Stanley Cup chances remain uncertain.
Early power rankings may shape fan mood and media narratives more than actual standings, especially in hockey markets where teams like Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Chicago draw wide attention. Strong starts or slumps could affect ticket demand, local business activity around games, and how supporters debate coaching or roster decisions. For players, public tiering may add pressure or motivation, though it remains only one outlet's early-season view and could change quickly as results accumulate.