NHL Power Rankings: Oilers and Maple Leafs rising, Blues on top

The Columbus Blue Jackets were projected to be among the league’s worst teams. They have done nothing so far to prove their critics wrong. So far, they have lost to the Boston Bruins 6-3 after having a 3-1 lead in the second period and lost to the San Jose Sharks 3-2.

While they should be proud of their effort against the Sharks, the Blue Jackets haven’t done their goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky many favors. If things don’t get better soon, maybe head coach John Tortorella will be fired. Perhaps that’s a part of the Blue Jackets plan?

Perhaps too much credit was given to the Anaheim Ducks and Randy Carlyle. While Carlyle is a downgrade from Bruce Boudreau, many (this writer included) believed the Ducks were good enough to make the playoffs again. Maybe everyone underestimated how bad Carlyle is.

Yes, the Ducks had an early season funk last season too. But even during the worst parts of the slump, you could tell the Ducks were still a good team. That’s not the case this season. The only reason they aren’t in last place? Goals by Cam Fowler and Ryan Getzlaf against the New York Islanders. Anaheim played quite well in the third period against New York. Let’s see if they can build off that because right now, they need it.