MHS Central Division Power Ranking: November Edition

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Oct 29, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) celebrates scoring the game winning goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the overtime period at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Canucks 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

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The first month of NHL hockey is in the books, which means: it’s time for the first Central Division power ranking. Without wanting to spoil anything, the Colorado Avalanche obviously cannot be handed a very high rank right now. It’s sad, but it’s reality.

So, who are the teams to beat in the division right now? That isn’t even easy to say, since the majority of the division currently owns a top-10 spot in the league. However, the teams are all different, and finding success in different ways. The only problem: the Avalanche is finding ways to do a lot of things wrong. Oh well.

We are only a little over 10 games into the season, so there is still a lot that can change. For bottom teams like the Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks, things will have to change quickly, though, or they will lose touch with the top quickly. But see for yourselves.

(All stats from War-On-Ice.com and NHL.com)

Next: #7 - Colorado Avalanche

Oct 30, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patric Roy (C) looks on from behind the bench during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

7. Colorado Avalanche

Previous Rank: –

October Record: 3-6-1

What’s Good?

Despite the team’s rough start, head coach Patrick Roy keeps saying the team is on the right track. Well, he does want them to shoot more and get less shots against, but he does not seem to change anything but the lineup to do so.

The biggest bright spot is center Nathan MacKinnon. Only 10 games into the season, it seems like the 20-year-old is past his sophomore slump. Whether he is on a line with Alex Tanguay and Gabriel Landeskog or with Tanguay and Jarome Iginla, MacKinnon is looking more and more like the superstar he is supposed to be. He is on pace for 82 points and the Avalanche’s top-scoring forward.

What’s Bad?

The 2015-16 campaign is turning out to be the same old defensive horror story. Nate Guenin is still on the roster and actually finds himself in the lineup for most games, and the forwards are not really helping either. The Avalanche is last in the league in even strength Corsi-For Percentage at 40.3 percent. At 46.0 percent — which is bad but well ahead of the Avalanche — the Detroit Red Wings rank 29th in this category.

What’s Next?

Obviously, the Avalanche’s possession numbers need to improve. Roy may refuse to call it Corsi, but at least he realized that something about those numbers needs to change. In the NHL’s strongest division, the playoffs seem impossible, but that doesn’t mean you cannot improve as a team. Simplify the game, reduce turnovers, shoot more — and it will look much better already.

Next: #6 - Chicago Blackhawks

Oct 30, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Artem Anisimov (15) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

6. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Rank: –

October Record: 6-5-0

What’s Good?

The Chicago Blackhawks currently rank ninth in the league in goals against, at 24. So, the defense is doing a decent job, despite Duncan Keith’s injury that will keep him out of the lineup for at least three more weeks. It is no secret that the Western Conference teams like to play good defensive hockey (even the Anaheim Ducks, 29th in the league, only have 27 goals against), and when your team is one of the ones that do it best, the winning chances are usually good. The problem here: Chicago is only average in Corsi Against per 60, and goaltender Corey Crawford is the one occasionally saving the day.

What’s Bad?

Patrick Sharp left for Dallas, Brandon Saad is a Blue Jacket — and the Blackhawks get to feel the full impact early in the season. While the defense may be working, the offense that still features star players Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, is struggling. After 11 games this season, the team has scored 24 goals, making their goal differential even. If the reigning Stanley Cup Champions want to get back to the top, the offense must raise their production level.

What’s Next?

In our preseason Central Division power ranking, the Blackhawks owned the No. 1 spot. That has changed, but it could change back quickly. It may be a long way to the top, but for this team, nothing but the playoffs would be acceptable. The roster’s quality is nowhere near last season’s, thanks to Kane’s and Toews’ contracts, but it still has enough quality to play better than they are right now.

Next: #5 - Minnesota Wild

Oct 30, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Carter (18) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

5. Minnesota Wild

Previous Rank: –

October Record: 7-2-2

What’s Good?

As opposed to the Blackhawks, the Minnesota Wild have got their offense going pretty well, having scored 35 goals in their first 11 games of the season. The team’s top three lines are all producing and their isn’t too much to criticize on that side of the ice. Tenth in Corsi-For percentage with 51.1 percent is not great, but it should be enough to take a serious run at a playoff spot. Equally good is their current home strength — the team has yet to lose a game in their home arena.

What’s Bad?

After Devan Dubnyk’s stellar performance in net last season, the Wild signed him to a six-year, $26 million contract extension. It seemed unlikely that the inconsistent below-average goaltender became an elite player overnight, and it is starting to look like that was a fair assumption. While Dubnyk is indeed a totally different goalie compared to what he used to be, his .898 save percentage through 10 games played seems far too low for someone of his price.

Furthermore, Minnesota has won the majority of their games by one goal, including the 5-4 in the season opener against Colorado. In fact, six of the Wild’s wins were by one goal. Not exactly the safe way to handle things.

What’s Next?

If the Wild really want a playoff spot — just like all other teams in this division — Dubnyk will have to find back to his outstanding play from last season. If not, the Wild may end up just outside of the playoffs or, even more likely, steal the last wildcard spot once again, as the fifth team in the Central Division.

Next: #4 - Winnipeg Jets

Oct 25, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson (34) celebrates his teams victory with teammate Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) after the third period against the Minnesota Wild at MTS Centre. Winnipeg Jets win 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

4. Winnipeg Jets

Previous Rank: –

October Record: 7-3-1

What’s Good?

The Winnipeg Jets’ backup goalie Michael Hutchinson is continuing to prove that he has all the tools to surpass Ondrej Pavelec as the team’s starter. In four games played this season, the 25-year-old has four wins and a save percentage of .949 — fourth in the NHL. Despite his outstanding performances, the Jets are holding on to Pavelec between the pipes. The question is for how much longer.

What’s Bad?

The Jets are struggling to play well consistently. They lost to the New York Islanders, then beat the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames, before losing to the St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning. In a division like this, you have to win consistently, against the and the bad teams in the league, if you want to make the playoffs.

What’s Next?

The Jets will start a tough road trip next week that will tell us a lot about the teams playoff chances. Four road games against four Central Division foes. If they can win at least half of them, we cannot ignore the team in this season’s playoff race. If they lose more than half, they may lose touch to the top. Wait and see.

Next: #3 - Nashville Predators

Oct 24, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) and teammates react after a loss in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Bridgestone Arena. The Penguins won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

3. Nashville Predators

Previous Rank: –

October Record: 7-1-2

What’s Good?

What’s good? Certainly not the new helmets, but those are not very important anyway. The Nashville Predator’s are currently the NHL’s best defensive team, having allowed 21 goals in 10 games. For some curious reason, the Preds also succeed in locking up their defensemen long-term, at more than reasonable prices. Roman Josi, Shea Weber, Seth Jones — that is something to be jealous of.

What’s Bad?

Not a lot. The Predators are scoring goals, they keep the puck out of their own net and they win games. If there is one bad thing, it might be the fact that they have not had a very tough schedule so far. Through 10 games, they have yet to face a Central Division rival. Six games were played against Eastern Conference clubs. Still, this team is good.

What’s Next?

Probably not many bad things. The schedule will get a little bit tougher this month, with the first of many contests against Central Division teams. Will they succeed? Most likely. As said, this team is good.

Next: #2 - Dallas Stars

Oct 27, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

2. Dallas Stars

Previous Rank: –

October Record: 9-2-0

What’s Good?

The Dallas Stars added Patrick Sharp to an offense that includes Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza. Not surprisingly, the Stars have scored 40 goals so far, second only to the Montréal Canadiens (45). Benn and Seguin sit atop the league with 17 and 16 points so far. While the defense was the reason why this team did not get much done last season, it is much better this time around.

What’s Bad?

Kari Lehtonen has a save percentage of .898 after four games played and Antti Niemi got the starter role after being acquired last off season. But if that is the worst thing about your team, your team must be pretty good. Not much to worry about in Dallas right now.

What’s Next?

Many experts predicted the Stars to make the playoffs this season, some even thought they would win the Central Division title. Right now, they are leading the division and it does not look like they will slow down any time soon. But, we should not get too excited just yet, because – while we would not wish anyone to get them — injuries could make things look much different very quickly.

Next: #1 - St. Louis Blues

Oct 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues teammates celebrate defeating the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

1. St. Louis Blues

Previous Rank: –

October Record: 8-2-1

What’s Good?