With Dave Tippett behind the bench and the NHL's best defense and goaltending leading the way, the Phoenix Coyotes are off to a surprising start and make their first appearance of the season in our top ten at No. 8. We're also starting to see the standings evening up between the conference rankings and and top 10, although there is still some slight disparity with our voters when it comes to national rankings.
SB Nation’s NHL Power Rankings, Week 3: Surprising Avs Aim For Top Spot
Surprise of the week: The Colorado Avalanche, thought to be in rebuilding mode, sit atop the Western Conference standings and make their season debut in the top ten at No. 3.
PLEASE READ: Western Conference rankings are determined by votes from Western Conference bloggers, Eastern Conference bloggers for Eastern rankings. The Top 10 Power Rankings are determined by a separate vote of Western and Eastern Conference bloggers.
NHL Top Ten Power Rankings | |||||
| Rank | Last Wk | Team | Record | Comments | |
 | 1 | 1 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7-1-0 | A perfect road performance and win back on home ice keeps the Pens a top team in the East. -Frank of Pensburgh |
 | 2 | 6 | New York Rangers | 7-2-0 | The most prolific offense in the NHL (so far) has lifted the Rangers into a battle with Pittsburgh for Eastern Conference supremacy. |
 | 3 | - | Colorado Avalanche | 6-1-1 | Craig Anderson and the youngsters have the surprising Avs in 1st in their division. -David Driscoll-Carignon of Mile High Hockey |
 | 4 | 6 | Chicago Blackhawks | 5-2-1 | Huet is quickly losing fans support and confidence in himself but this team should be able to bail him out enough to regain his composure in the net... we hope. -Matthew Dirt of Second City Hockey |
 | 5 | 2 | Calgary Flames | 5-2-1 | Despite shaky backup goaltending the Flames are finding ways to win. |
 | 6 | 8 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 5-1-0 | Just one loss all season has the Blue Jackets off to a surprisingly hot start. |
 | 7 | 5 | Washington Capitals | 4-2-2 | With a 2-0-1 homestand, the Caps appear to be back on track (and having the best player on the planet doesn't hurt a bit). - J.P. of Japers' Rink |
 | 8 | - | Phoenix Coyotes | 5-2-0 | Strong Defensive play and goaltending have made the Coyotes dominant in their victories so far. -Travis Hair of Five For Howling |
 | 9 | - | Buffalo Sabres | 4-1-1 | The top defensive team in the East, powered by four straight wins last week. |
 | 10 | - | Atlanta Thrashers | 4-1-0 | Just one loss all season after taking down New Jersey and Buffalo in back to back games. |
Eastern Conference
Biggest Winner: Atlanta Thrashers (+5)
Biggest Loser: Philadelphia Flyers(-5)
Eastern Conference Power Rankings | ||||
| Rk (Prev) | Team | Record | SB Nation Blog | |
| 1 (1) | Pittsburgh | 7-1-0 | PensBurgh |
| 2 (4) | New York Rangers | 7-2-0 | Blueshirt Banter |
| 3 (3) | Washington Capitals | 4-2-2 | Japers' Rink |
| 4 (9) | Atlanta Thrashers | 4-1-0 | Bird Watchers Anonymous |
| 5 (5) | Buffalo Sabres | 4-1-1 | Die By The Blade |
 | 6 (6) | Ottawa Senators | 5-2-0 | Silver Seven |
 | 7 (2) | Philadelphia Flyers | 3-2-1 | Broad Street Hockey |
 | 8 (8) | New Jersey Devils | 4-3-0 | In Lou We Trust |
 | 9 (7) | Boston Bruins | 3-4-0 | Stanley Cup of Chowder |
 | 10 (10) | Carolina Hurricanes | 2-4-1 | Canes Country |
 | 11 (14) | Florida Panthers | 2-4-0 | Litter Box Cats |
 | 12 (12) | Montreal Canadiens | 2-5-0 | Habs Eyes On The Prize |
 | 13 (11) | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2-3-2 | Raw Charge |
 | 14 (13) | New York Islanders | 0-3-3 | Lighthouse Hockey |
 | 15 (15) | Toronto Maple Leafs | 0-6-1 | Pension Plan Puppets |
Western Conference
Biggest Winner: Phoenix Coyotes (+9)
Biggest Loser: Vancouver Canucks (-6)
Western Conference Power Rankings | ||||
| Rk (Prev) | Team | Record | SB Nation Blog | |
| 1 (4) | Chicago Blackhawks | 5-2-1 | Second City Hockey |
| 2 (9) | Colorado Avalanche | 6-1-1 | Mile High Hockey |
| 3 (3) | Columbus Blue Jackets | 5-1-0 | The Cannon |
| 4 (1) | Calgary Flames | 5-2-1 | Matchsticks and Gasoline |
| 5 (14) | Phoenix Coyotes | 5-2-0 | Five For Howling |
 | 6 (2) | San Jose Sharks | 5-3-1 | Fear The Fin |
 | 7 (8) | Edmonton Oilers | 5-2-1 | The Copper & Blue |
 | 8 (11) | Dallas Stars | 3-2-3 | Defending Big D |
 | 9 (13) | St. Louis Blues | 3-2-1 | St. Louis Game Time |
 | 10 (5) | Detroit Red Wings | 3-3-1 | Winging It In Motown |
 | 11 (7) | Los Angeles Kings | 5-4-0 | Battle of California |
 | 12 (6) | Vancouver Canucks | 3-5-0 | Nucks Misconduct |
 | 13 (10) | Anaheim Ducks | 3-3-1 | Battle of California |
 | 14 (12) | Nashville Predators | 2-4-1 | On the Forecheck |
 | 15 (15) | Minnesota Wild | 1-6-0 | Hockey Wilderness |
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