In an attempt to keep things consistent, I’m going with the same format as last week.  There were many trades and roster moves this week and we are starting to see who the contenders and pretenders are in SPNHL this season.  I went 1/3 with my bold predictions last week, The Flyers did leap frog the Panthers (even though they’re tied in points).  Dallas went 4-5 which I wouldn’t consider turning their season around and Tampa still hasn’t won a game since night 3 of the season. 

Week 2 Power Rankings:

1. Florida Panthers
2. Philadelphia Flyers
3. Chicago Blackhawks
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Ottawa Senators
6. Pittsburgh Penguins
7. Colorado Avalanche
8. Buffalo Sabres
9. Dallas Stars
10. Anaheim Ducks
11. Calgary Flames
12. Tampa Bay Lightning

Week 3 Power Rankings:

1. Philadelphia Flyers (+1)
2. San Jose Sharks (+2)
3. Chicago Blackhawks (-)
4. Florida Panthers (-3)
5. Pittsburgh Penguins (+1)
6. Ottawa Senators (-1)
7. Buffalo Sabres (+1)
8. Anaheim Ducks (+2)
9. Dallas Stars (-)
10.  Calgary Flames (+1)
11. Colorado Avalanche (-4)
12. Tampa Bay Lightning (-)

Figuring out this top 4 was a bit difficult especially because all 4 teams have 40 points and are tied for 1^st in the league. However, Philadelphia’s 7-2 week and best goal differential in the league earned them the top spot.  San Jose had yet another amazing week at 7-2 making them jump 2 spots into 2^nd while Chicago and Florida round off the top 4 with records of 6-2-1 and 5-3-1 respectfully. 

The middle 4 also stayed consistent other than 1 team.  Pittsburgh had an impressive 6-2-1 week which moved them in front of Ottawa in the standings and the power rankings.  The Sens had a down week going 4-4-1 but still sitting pretty in the 4^th and final playoff spot in the East.  Buffalo’s 4-3-2 week still has them on the outside looking in while the Ducks go 4-4-1 and bump Colorado out of the middle 4 of the power rankings. 

Dallas also doesn’t move out of the 9 spot or the 4^th and final playoff spot in the west.  Here comes the Flames, this squad went 4-3-2 the past week and are gaining on the Stars only 2 points back.  Colorado’s 3-6 week moves them into the bottom 2 but good news is they’re only 2 points back of the Stars.  Tampa’s 2^nd winless week in a row keeps them in the basement. 

Who’s Hot

Philadelphia Flyers:

Staying hot for the 2^nd week in a row is the Flyers.  The team is looking very different than it did at the start of week 3 but going into week 4 they still look scary.  After a 7-2 week, they move into a tie for 1^st place in the East and in the league.  Acquiring Bstie will solidify their backend and will play great alongside Benji.  They also picked up 2^nd overall pick Hypey who will form one of the best dynamic duos up top with Aali.  Anything less than a 6-win week for this squad will be a disappointment. 

San Jose Sharks:

I went on this huge rant talking about how top teams shouldn’t change over their core of the roster but it looks like it’s working out for the Sharks.  A 7-2 week for them is good enough to put them for a tie for 1^st in both the west and the league.  The duo of Triix and Fish seems to be clicking and firing on all cylinders while Mpurch quietly continues his Norris season.  If they want to keep competing for that top spot in the west they’re going to need another 7-win week and beat the Blackhawks. 

Calgary Flames:

25-5, that was the score of their game against the Lightning Friday night.  Cuban did a great job retooling his roster and getting a solid forward line to help compete for a playoff spot in the west.  The acquisitions of Jhardy, Jmm and Wardo are huge additions to the squad.  Predator outside of his plus/minus is putting up respectable stats, they’re going to be playing meaningful hockey for the rest of the season as they have a huge week against Western Conference opponents. 

Who’s Cold

Florida Panthers:

Tied for first in the league yet they’re cold, I’ll explain.  With the roster the Panthers have on paper, a 0-2-1 night that they had on Tuesday is just straight up unacceptable.  Slick after Tuesday completely rebuilt his roster picking up Chad and solidifying his goaltending situation for the rest of the year.  A 5-3-1 week 3 allowed the Flyers to tie them and surpass them based on goal differential.  This team will have to turn things around week 4 if they want that Presidents Trophy. 

Colorado Avalanche:

Unfortunately for Pliskin and the Avalanche, they had a 3-6 week and got pushed into a tie for the basement in the West.  Good news for them is they’re only 2 points back of 3^rd place and will get their number 1 defenceman in Doug back for next week.  A week against Western Conference opponents will be make or break for this team going into week 5.  Another 3-6 week and a good week by another team will pretty much send them to the golf course. 

Tampa Bay Lightning:

The Lightning have lost 19 games in a row, a disaster of a season is in the making for Icey’s team and they’re not looking any better going into week 4.  The last time they won a game was May 7^th against the Dallas Stars however, their team was much different looking than it is now.  The next team to drop a game against these guys will be the laughing stock of the league.  Good news is that there is only 6 more game days left until they can start thinking about next season. 

Bold Predictions:

1. Chicago starts to pull away from the Sharks: Both games between these teams are crucial games and could be the difference of who takes the lead in the west.  The Hawks have only lost 2 games in regulation in the past 2 weeks and have been stealing points from teams late in games all season.  Look out for Chicago’s first 7+ win week in week 4. 

• Florida has a comeback week and moves into the lead for 1^st in the league:  With only 1 game against the Flyers and 2 games against the Lightning, the Panthers have a solid opportunity to have a great week 4. Especially after the mediocre week 3, these guys are going to be motivated to play and win.  A 7-2 week for them looks like a very real possibility. 

• Anaheim starts to pull away from the bottom of the West: A team of this caliber should not be below .500 in this league. Whatever internal problems that going on they need to snap out of it because they have the talent to go the distance.  With 6/9 games against, Colorado, Dallas, Calgary and Tampa, they have the perfect opportunity to explode for minimum 6 wins this week. 

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! I love constructive feedback and discussing things I might’ve missed, my dms are open! If you hated it, then too bad go write your own article!

Good luck week 4 SP!

• Tammygoat Boy Wonder