The 2021 NHL season has officially begun to take form, as the February schedule gets rolling. For this week's Power Rankings, we identified the biggest disappointment so far for every team.
How we rank: The ESPN hockey editorial staff submits selections ranking teams 1 to 31 -- taking into account past results and offseason additions -- and those results are tabulated in the list featured here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to our Week 2 edition, published on Jan. 27. Records are through the games of Feb. 2
1. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 2
Record: 5-1-1
This week: vs. DET (Feb. 3, 5); @ NSH (Feb. 8, 9)
It's been a bummer for Tampa Bay, to win the Stanley Cup and then not be able to raise the banner in front of fans. They've also enjoyed a 4-0 start at Amalie Arena, but haven't been able to welcome any crowd back yet.
2. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 7-1-2
This week: vs. OTT (Feb. 4); @ OTT (Feb. 6)
Nearly everything has gone well so far for the Habs, but they could clean up their game a bit. Montreal has taken 53 penalties in their first 10 games, ranking second in the league with 12:18 penalty minutes per game.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 7-2-1
This week: vs. VAN (Feb. 4, 6, 8)
It's been a logjam at the back end of Toronto's defensive rotation. The team wants to give Mikko Lehtonen an opportunity but is still hesitant to use him too much at 5-on-5 as he adjusts to the North American game.
4. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 6-1-2
This week: @ PHI (Feb. 3, 5)
The Bruins have had to shuffle their lines, specifically the right wingers, quite often early in the season as they battle injuries. "It's the right-side dilemma with [David] Krejci that we thought we'd have solved this year," coach Bruce Cassidy said this week.
5. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 1
Record: 5-1-1
This week: vs. LA (Feb. 5, 7); vs. ANA (Feb. 9)
The Golden Knights had a top-10 power play last season, but it's just not working for them yet. It's 28th in the league right now. Coach Peter DeBoer said last week that the team was trying new concepts. "We're just not connected as a group out there yet," he said. "But I believe it's coming."
6. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 6-1-3
This week: @ NYR (Feb. 4); vs. PHI (Feb. 7, 9)
The Caps' biggest disappointment this season was with themselves, when Alex Ovechkin and three teammates violated the strict road trip rules, forcing the captain to miss four games. However, Washington went 3-0-1 in his absence, including a whopping 55.6% on the power play.
7. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 18
Record: 5-0-1
This week: vs. NSH (Feb. 4, 5); vs. DET (Feb. 7, 9)
The Panthers' biggest disappointment may be this: They have the league's best points percentage and a 5-0-1 record -- while newcomers Patric Hornqvist and Carter Verhaeghe have a combined 10 goals -- but they probably aren't getting enough credit for it.
8. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 7-2-1
This week: vs. BOS (Feb. 3, 5); @ WSH (Feb. 7, 9)
Travis Konecny is one of Philadelphia's best young forwards, and has scored five goals in nine games. But the Flyers are still looking for more, leading to a benching on Saturday. "His 5-on-5 game needs to be better in the areas that he's aware of," coach Alain Vigneault said.
9. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 16
Record: 6-1-0
This week: @ CHI (Feb. 4); @ CBJ (Feb. 7, 8)
After four starts, Petr Mrazek led the NHL in save percentage (.955) and goals-against average (0.99). But Mrazek got injured last weekend, and coach Rod Brind'Amour says his absence will be "longer term" and he could require surgery.
10. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 12
Record: 7-2-1
This week: vs. ARI (Feb. 4); vs. COL (Feb. 6, 7), @ MIN (Feb. 9)
Vince Dunn is an analytics darling, but a slow start and some healthy scratches have him on the trade block. At 24 with an annual cap hit under $2 million, plenty of teams are interested. But can the Blues get a first-rounder in return?
11. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 7-3-1
This week: vs. MIN (Feb. 4); @ STL (Feb. 6, 7); vs. ARI (Feb. 9)
Over the past two seasons, Nathan MacKinnon carried the load when the Avs' roster has been ravaged by injuries. Unfortunately, they'll have to repay the favor after the star center is now out "week-to-week" with a lower-body injury.
12. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 5-1-1
This week: @ CBJ (Feb. 4); vs. CHI (Feb. 7, 9)
Joel Kiviranta was a playoff darling in the 2020 bubble, and was poised to take another step this season. But we haven't seen the young Finn since the home opener (lower-body injury) as he joins Dallas' injured list.
13. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 11
Record: 6-5-0
This week: @ COL (Feb. 4); vs. ARI (Feb. 6, 7); vs. STL (Feb. 9)
Minnesota's future is looking bright, but the Wild have also been a top focus for the department of player safety this week. Kevin Fiala got suspended three games for boarding, while Nick Bjugstad was fined $5,000 for cross-checking.
14. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 13
Record: 6-3-1
This week: vs. CGY (Feb. 4); @ CGY (Feb. 9)
Though the Jets are happy they acquired Pierre-Luc Dubois, as an organization they need to look inward and evaluate their culture. While Dustin Byfuglien, Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic are all isolated cases, it's hard to get past three top players wanting out.
15. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 19
Record: 4-4-3
This week: vs. DAL (Feb. 4); vs. CAR (Feb. 7, 8)
Here's something the Blue Jackets are not used to seeing: through their first 10 games of the season, with the top pairing of Seth Jones and Zach Werenski on the ice, Columbus has been outscored 11-4.
16. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 10
Record: 5-4-1
This week: @ NYI (Feb. 6); @ NJ (Feb. 9)
The injury bug bit the Penguins hard in 2019-20, and hasn't let up in 2021. This time, the blue line is adversely affected. With Jim Rutherford's surprise resignation last week, it's up to a new GM to figure out these woes.
17. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 15
Record: 6-6-0
This week: @ CGY (Feb. 6); @ OTT (Feb. 8, 9)
There was hope that after three frustrating seasons in Nashville, Kyle Turris could revive his game in Edmonton. Not so much. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are still getting very little help from their teammates, including Turris (just three points in 12 games).
18. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 24
Record: 6-7-0
This week: @ TOR (Feb. 4, 6, 8)
A leaky defense and less-than-expected production from the top stars was the rationale for the Canucks' slow start. Vancouver isn't in too rough of shape, but can't afford to wait 20-30 games to find its stride.
19. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 21
Record: 4-4-1
This week: @ WPG (Feb. 4); vs. EDM (Feb. 6); vs. WPG (Feb. 9)
Something is going on with Sam Bennett. His agent, Darren Ferris, told Sportsnet the center would like "a change of scenery," but the Flames denied that Bennett has a trade request. Whatever is true, bouncing around the bottom six isn't ideal.
20. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 17
Record: 4-3-2
This week: vs. PIT (Feb. 9)
It has been nice to see the Devils -- led by a resurgent Jack Hughes -- take strides this season, but their penalty kill (a strength last season) is performing poorly, ranking 29th in the league (67.7%).
21. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 14
Record: 3-4-2
This week: vs. PIT (Feb. 6); @ NYR (Feb. 8)
A five-game winless stretch was worrisome, which means the Islanders' usual woes are compounded. That includes an uninspiring power play (they are 19th in the league, at 15.8%) and lack of goal scoring in general (29th, with 2.11 goals per game).
22. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 20
Record: 4-5-0
This week: @ FLA (Feb. 4, 5); vs. TB (Feb. 8, 9)
The Preds are off to a sluggish start and rank 27th in the league in scoring (2.33 goals per game). Through their first nine games, the Preds have held a lead for less than 38 total minutes.
23. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 27
Record: 3-4-2
This week: vs. WSH (Feb. 4); vs. NYI (Feb. 8)
Tony DeAngelo went from finishing 12th in Norris Trophy voting last season to earning a $9.6 million contract in October to being a 25-year-old who will likely never play another game as a New York Ranger. A disappointing downfall.
24. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 23
Record: 3-4-2
This week: @ VGS (Feb. 5, 7); vs. SJ (Feb. 9)
It has been a promising start to the Kings' season, but depth is becoming a concern. Injuries have hit the blue line hard, with defensemen Sean Walker (Matt Dumba puck to the face) and Matt Roy (boarded by Kevin Fiala) out "for extended periods."
25. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 29
Record: 3-4-4
This week: vs. CAR (Feb. 4); @ DAL (Feb. 7, 9)
While it was an open goaltending competition, Collin Delia and Malcolm Subban may be disappointed that Kevin Lankinen has taken the hold so early. The young Finn (who ranks fourth in the league in save percentage) has been sensational.
26. Arizona Coyotes
Previous ranking: 28
Record: 3-5-1
This week: @ STL (Feb. 4); @ MIN (Feb. 6, 7); @ COL (Feb. 9)
The Coyotes decided not to trade captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson this offseason, and now they're seeing how hard it is to fill his role. Kyle Capobianco, Jordan Gross and Victor Soderstrom have rotated in for the injured captain, but it hasn't been the same.
27. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 26
Record: 4-4-2
This week: All games postponed
Veteran Kyle Okposo sums up the Sabres' season so far as thus: "You could probably ask anybody if they're happy with their offensive game, especially up front, and I'm assuming you'd get a lot of no's, myself included. ... That's going to be our biggest challenge."
28. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 22
Record: 3-5-0
This week: @ ANA (Feb. 5, 6); @ LA (Feb. 9)
The biggest disappointment for the Sharks so far is that they are the only team not to get a home game yet. Though the schedule has changed a few times, it appears San Jose will finally get to play at home on Feb. 13.
29. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 25
Record: 4-5-2
This week: vs. SJ (Feb. 5, 6); @ VGS (Feb. 9)
Fans in Anaheim know that this season is all about transitioning toward the future. That's why it might be a disappointment Trevor Zegras hasn't been called up yet, especially when he's doing things like this:
Yeah, you're not gonna stop that!
— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) February 1, 2021
Watch @tzegras11 net the game-winning shootout tally with this beautiful backhand goal.#LetsGoGulls | #SDvsBAK pic.twitter.com/J6g9MhsCLs
30. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 31
Record: 2-6-2
This week: @ TB (Feb. 3, 5); @ FLA (Feb. 7, 9)
The Red Wings were frustrated that just when they were trying to establish their identity this season, they lost several players to COVID-related absences. Such is life in the NHL in 2021.
31. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 30
Record: 1-8-1
This week: @ MTL (Feb. 4); vs. MTL (Feb. 6); vs. EDM (Feb. 8, 9)
Matt Murray won two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh by the time he was 23. He signed a plump contract in Ottawa but is struggling there (and it's not just the last-place team's fault). His .849 save percentage is 51st in the league among goalies with more than one game played.