This is the fourth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for 2019-20. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we identify each team's biggest disappointment so far this season.
1. Washington Capitals (13-2-3)
Previous rank: 4
It's tough to nitpick the NHL's first-place squad as it rides a six-game winning streak, but Braden Holtby's .898 save percentage through 13 starts for the Capitals certainly isn't ideal.
2. St. Louis Blues (12-3-3)
Previous rank: 12
The reigning champs are on a major heater, winning nine of their last 10. Despite the Blues' record, though, seven regulation wins on the season is a bit concerning.
3. Boston Bruins (11-3-3)
Previous rank: 1
Losing to the lowly Red Wings last week had to be pretty disappointing for the Bruins, who boast two of the NHL's top four scorers, the best power play, and the top goaltending duo.
4. New York Islanders (12-3-1)
Previous rank: 6
The Islanders have fully committed to Barry Trotz's style of play and earned at least a point in 12 consecutive games - including 11 wins - as a result. Things are nearly perfect on the Island at the moment, but 2014 fifth overall pick Michael Dal Colle still hasn't found his NHL groove. Despite a regular dose of minutes, the 23-year-old has mustered just three points in 15 games this season.
5. Colorado Avalanche (10-5-2)
Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Previous rank: 2
A recent spell of unfortunate injuries to key players is just about the only disappointing development for the high-flying Avalanche so far in 2019-20. Despite being hit hard by the injury bug, Colorado doesn't seem intent on slowing down.
6. Edmonton Oilers (12-5-2)
Previous rank: 5
After a career-high 22 goals last season, forward Alex Chiasson has registered just a single tally thus far. He's not the most important piece of the Oilers puzzle, but an uptick in production would take a major load off the shoulders of Edmonton's big guns.
7. Nashville Predators (9-5-3)
Previous rank: 8
Kyle Turris appears to be regressing into something of a non-factor for the Predators. The veteran pivot is on pace for only 38 points this year while logging 13:50 per contest - his lowest average ice time since his age-21 season.
8. Montreal Canadiens (9-5-3)
Previous rank: 20
The Canadiens have performed well to this point, but a 29th-ranked penalty kill is a big disappointment for a team that's made significant improvements on the power play this year.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins (10-6-1)
Previous rank: 15
Alex Galchenyuk, the main return in the Phil Kessel trade, has yet to record a goal. He's missed time due to injury, to be fair, but the Penguins would warmly welcome an offensive outburst any time now.
10. Calgary Flames (10-7-3)
Gerry Thomas / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 17
This past summer's Alberta netminder swap has not gone as well for Cam Talbot as it has for Mike Smith. The Flames' backup is 1-3-0 with an .899 save percentage in five appearances.
11. Philadelphia Flyers (10-5-2)
Previous rank: 16
Travis Konecny's emergence as a top-line scorer has helped mask sluggish starts from perennial point producers Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. The veteran forwards have combined for just five even-strength goals through the Flyers' first 17 games.
12. Toronto Maple Leafs (9-6-4)
Previous rank: 14
The Maple Leafs have too much skill to look so perplexed on the power play. Toronto has just five goals in its last 41 opportunities with the man advantage, operating at a subpar 18.2% rate on the season.
13. Tampa Bay Lightning (8-5-2)
Previous rank: 13
After a historic 128-point campaign for the Lightning in 2018-19, Nikita Kucherov hasn't been himself to begin the year. It's still early, but the reigning Hart Trophy winner is on pace for his lowest goal total since his rookie season.
14. Vancouver Canucks (9-6-3)
Previous rank: 10
Offseason signing Micheal Ferland has struggled to find his game with the Canucks. After inking a four-year, $14-million pact with Vancouver in July, Ferland has one goal in 12 contests and ranks second-last on the team in average ice time.
15. Vegas Golden Knights (9-7-3)
Previous rank: 11
For a team that's traditionally benefited from a raucous crowd at T-Mobile Arena, the Golden Knights have been somewhat disappointing on home ice with just three regulation wins in nine contests.
16. Dallas Stars (8-8-2)
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Previous rank: 24
Joe Pavelski is on pace for 14 goals this season, which is not what the Stars paid for when they handed the veteran a three-year, $21-million deal in free agency this summer.
17. Anaheim Ducks (9-8-1)
Previous rank: 18
The Ducks' four power-play goals this season are tied for last in the league - and only one more than they've scored shorthanded.
18. Arizona Coyotes (9-6-2)
Previous rank: 9
Phil Kessel has picked up his play of late, but the Coyotes' prized offseason acquisition still sits seventh on the team with just three goals through 17 games.
19. Florida Panthers (7-4-5)
Previous rank: 19
The Panthers boast one of the league's top offenses - which is very fortunate considering newcomer Sergei Bobrovsky's underwhelming performance in goal. The Russian netminder has started to find his form, but an ugly October has him posting career-worst numbers so far this season.
20. Carolina Hurricanes (9-7-1)
Previous rank: 7
The Hurricanes have the talent to keep up with the league's elite, but inconsistency has been their Achilles' heel. Carolina began the season with five straight wins before losing four of its next five. After rebounding with three consecutive victories, the club currently rides a four-game slide.
21. Buffalo Sabres (9-6-2)
Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Previous rank: 3
Nobody expected Jimmy Vesey to set the league ablaze in Buffalo, but the Sabres' newcomer is yet to score a goal this season and has just two assists over 14 games.
22. Winnipeg Jets (10-7-1)
Previous rank: 21
Jets captain Blake Wheeler has mustered only 10 points in 18 games for a 45-point pace over 82 contests. That would represent about half his production from each of the last two seasons after back-to-back 91-point campaigns. Regression might be setting in for the 33-year-old.
23. San Jose Sharks (7-10-1)
Previous rank: 23
Though the Sharks have won three straight games, goaltending has been their biggest concern. Martin Jones played well in Saturday's win, but he's been inconsistent overall, posting an .888 save percentage on the year and allowing four or more goals in seven of his 13 starts this season.
24. Ottawa Senators (6-9-1)
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Previous rank: 30
Expectations were quite low for the rebuilding Senators entering this season, so there haven't been many true disappointments in Ottawa. But Craig Anderson has all but lost the No. 1 goaltending job to Anders Nilsson after authoring a subpar .897 save percentage and only two wins in eight starts.
25. New York Rangers (7-6-2)
Previous rank: 26
The Rangers have allowed the second-most shots on goal per game in the NHL and rank top 10 in most goals allowed per contest. The serviceable play of goalies Henrik Lundqvist and Aleksandar Georgiev has masked the team's defensive woes.
26. Columbus Blue Jackets (6-8-3)
Previous rank: 22
Defense was supposed to be the Blue Jackets' focus this season with Seth Jones, Zach Werenski, and Co. holding down the fort after the offseason exodus of star forwards and a franchise goalie. Yet Columbus is outside the top 10 in shots allowed and ranks bottom 10 in goals against.
27. Minnesota Wild (6-10-1)
Previous rank: 27
Devan Dubnyk was looking to bounce back after posting a .913 save percentage in 2018-19 - a career-worst over a full season. But the Wild's veteran netminder has authored a paltry .887 mark across 11 appearances in 2019-20, and backup Alex Stalock has outperformed him while playing only two fewer games.
28. Chicago Blackhawks (6-7-4)
Previous rank: 28
Veteran defenseman Brent Seabrook has looked a shadow of his former self early this season. He's posted a lone goal and no assists in 15 contests with the Blackhawks, serving as a healthy scratch for only the second and third times in his 15-year career.
29. New Jersey Devils (5-7-4)
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Previous rank: 29
Expectations were high for Nikita Gusev, the 2018-19 KHL MVP whom the Devils landed in a trade with the Golden Knights. The Russian sniper hasn't exactly exploded out of the gate, though, scoring four goals in 13 games with only one marker in his last six contests.
Andreas Athanasiou was looking to build on the career-high 30 goals he netted across 76 contests last season. Instead, he's taken a significant step backward in the scoring department, burying only two markers over 17 games with the Red Wings.
This is the second edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for 2019-20. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we jump to way-too-early conclusions after the first two weeks of the new campaign.
1. Colorado Avalanche (4-0-0)
Previous rank: 9
Quarterbacking a loaded power play, Cale Makar will break the rookie record for points by a defenseman (80) set by Mark Howe in 1979-80. Makar already has five points in four games - four of which have come with the man advantage.
2. Carolina Hurricanes (5-1-0)
Previous rank: 10
Step aside, Devils, Rangers, and Panthers: The Hurricanes, despite not making an earth-shattering move this summer, were the winners of the offseason. Erik Haula and Ryan Dzingel brought much-needed scoring depth, Jake Gardiner and Joel Edmundson helped solidify a sturdy back end, and James Reimer may steal Petr Mrazek's starting gig between the pipes.
3. Boston Bruins (4-1-0)
Previous rank: 2
Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak, the best one-two goalie punch in the league, have alternated starts thus far - a trend that will continue for the entire season, with each netminder starting exactly 41 games.
4. Edmonton Oilers (5-0-0)
Previous rank: 25
James Neal, whose seven goals in five games match his total from all of last season, will not only enjoy a bounce-back year, but he'll also surpass his career high of 40 goals and help the Oilers return to the playoffs.
5. Buffalo Sabres (4-0-1)
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Previous rank: 24
Personnel was never the main issue in Buffalo. New head coach Ralph Krueger is the right man to lead the charge in Western New York, and he'll capture the Jack Adams Trophy as coach of the year.
6. Washington Capitals (3-1-2)
Previous rank: 11
In what will be his last season with the Capitals, Braden Holtby will be relegatedto backup duties behind Ilya Samsonov, the club's goalie of the future and the present.
Two-way star Mark Stone, who's on pace for a career year offensively, will not only win the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward, but he'll also garner serious Hart Trophy consideration.
9. St. Louis Blues (3-1-1)
Previous rank: 3
The Blues are as tough to play against as any team in the league. Last season's title wasn't just a second-half miracle. They're legit, and they will enjoy another deep playoff run.
10. Toronto Maple Leafs (3-2-1)
Francois Lacasse / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 6
William Nylander has come out of the gate playing the best of hockey of his career, and he'll finish the season with more points than teammate Mitch Marner.
11. Philadelphia Flyers (2-0-1)
Previous rank: 20
Not only have the Flyers found a legitimate No. 1 goalie in Carter Hart, but the 21-year-old will be the youngest netminder to win the Vezina Trophy since Tom Barrasso did it as an 18-year-old in 1983-84 (Jim Carey won in his age-21 campaign in 1995-96, but he'd turned 22 by season's end).
12. Nashville Predators (3-2-0)
Previous rank: 8
After the addition of Matt Duchene, combined with the decline of Pekka Rinne, the Predators will finish with a top-five offense for the second time in franchise history, but they'll end up in the bottom half of the league in goals against for the first time since 2013-14.
13. Pittsburgh Penguins (4-2-0)
Previous rank: 14
A healthy Kris Letang is more important to the Penguins than a healthy Evgeni Malkin. The next month or so will provide the evidence.
14. Winnipeg Jets (4-3-0)
Previous rank: 16
Though they have offensive firepower, the Jets don't boast a formidable enough blue line to make the postseason.
15. Calgary Flames (2-3-1)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Previous rank: 7
David Rittich has started five of Calgary's first six games, but it'll be Cam Talbot who eventually runs away with the No. 1 gig.
16. Anaheim Ducks (4-1-0)
Previous rank: 28
John Gibson is the best goalie in the league, and it isn't close. With a new voice behind the bench in Dallas Eakins, the Ducks shouldn't be slept on as a playoff contender.
17. Vancouver Canucks (2-2-0)
Previous rank: 23
Jacob Markstrom's stellar play in the crease has jolted the Canucks to begin the campaign. With the talented Thatcher Demko playing second fiddle, Vancouver's goaltending tandem looks like it has enough game to propel it to the playoffs.
18. Montreal Canadiens (2-1-2)
Previous rank: 17
Jonathan Drouin has finally arrived in Montreal. The 24-year-old forward has six points in five contests and will keep the club in the wild-card race while becoming the first Canadiens player to eclipse the 80-point mark this decade.
19. San Jose Sharks (2-4-0)
Previous rank: 4
Martin Jones is not who we thought he was. The 29-year-old puck-stopper has carried his subpar play from last season into 2019-20 with 13 goals against and an .887 save percentage through four starts. San Jose won't get the goaltending it needs to separate from the pack and will find itself in a tight playoff race all season.
20. New York Rangers (2-1-0)
Andre Ringuette / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 19
Despite adding Artemi Panarin and Kappo Kakko this offseason, Mika Zibanejad is the best and most important player on the Rangers. The Swedish center already has eight points in three games this season and should be named the franchise's next captain.
21. Detroit Red Wings (3-2-0)
Previous rank: 30
Anthony Mantha's goal-scoring ability has finally translated from junior to the NHL level. Come March, the Red Wings will likely be near the bottom of the standings, but Mantha's name will still be bandied about when discussing the "Rocket" Richard Trophy race.
22. New York Islanders (2-3-0)
Previous rank: 18
The Islanders have only mustered 11 goals in five contests and haven't received thesame all-world goaltending that helped them to 47 wins last season. Inking netminder Semyon Varlamov for $20 million over four years was a mistake, and New York will end the year closer to a lottery position than a postseason berth.
23. Florida Panthers (1-2-2)
Previous rank: 13
It's happening again. The Panthers are off to another slow start as their record falls to 7-12-6 in October since 2017. In an Atlantic Division that offers little room for error, the Panthers will once again miss the postseason by a sliver.
24. Los Angeles Kings (2-3-0)
Previous rank: 29
It's been a nightmare between the pipes for Jonathan Quick. The veteran has allowed 19 goals on 92 shots through three starts. Jack Campbell has a pair of wins despite posting mediocre numbers and will earn more starts than Quick this season.
25. Columbus Blue Jackets (2-3-0)
Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Sports
Previous rank: 27
Sergei Bobrovsky's departure could set the Blue Jackets back years. Joonas Korpisalo has been subpar as the starting netminder and youngster Elvis Merzlikins was shelled for seven goals in his NHL debut.
26. Arizona Coyotes (1-2-1)
Previous rank: 22
The Coyotes still can't find the back of the net and Phil Kessel has not come as advertised. The perennial goal-scorer has yet to find twine through his first four games with the club, and his lack of production will lead to the demise of Arizona's playoff aspirations.
27. Dallas Stars (1-4-1)
Previous rank: 12
The Stars' top talents are past their prime. Jamie Benn, Joe Pavelski, Tyler Seguin, and Alex Radulov have combined for four goals in six games, and the club's offensive deficiencies will hinder its playoff chances in a competitive Central Division.
28. Ottawa Senators (1-3-0)
Previous rank: 31
The Senators' victory over the Lightning shows that they're to be taken seriously on a nightly basis. Maybe Ottawa isn't the worst team in the Eastern Conference after all?
29. Chicago Blackhawks (0-2-1)
Previous rank: 21
The Blackhawks made an assertive effort to bolster their defensive depth this summer, but they're winless through three games and have allowed 12 goals. Chicago looks poised to be the league's most entertaining non-playoff team once again.
30. New Jersey Devils (0-3-2)
Andy Marlin / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 15
After an exciting summer, the new-look Devils are the league's biggest disappointment. Is John Hynes the right man for the job? A new voice behind the bench could serve the club well.
31. Minnesota Wild (0-4-0)
Previous rank: 26
The Wild can't keep the puck out of their net and lack the firepower up front to keep games balanced. Mats Zuccarello's five-year, $30-million deal is the worst signing of the offseason and Devan Dubnyk's best days are in the rearview. General manager Bill Guerin will be a big-time seller at the trade deadline.
You can't discusswho the league's top defenseman is without almost immediately mentioning Hedman. The 6-foot-6 Swede is dominant at both ends of the ice and ranks third among NHL defensemen in points (236) over the past four seasons. Hedman hasfinished in the top three in Norris Trophy voting in three consecutive campaigns, including his win in 2018.
9. Evgeni Malkin, Penguins
Malkin can take over games like no other player in the NHL - when he wants to. The problem is that when he doesn't want to, he can hurt his team, which was the case for much of last season. The two-time Art Ross winner could easily bounce back this season if he's up for it. He at least sounds motivated, and that should scare opponents.
8. Erik Karlsson, Sharks
Brandon Magnus / National Hockey League / Getty
The highest-rated defenseman in our top 100, Karlsson was significantly hampered by injury last season and still managed to record 45 points in 53 games plus 16 more points in the playoffs. When healthy, the smooth-skating Shark is arguably the best offensive-minded blue-liner in the game and a perennial Norris Trophy contender.
7. Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs
Injuries have slowed Matthews over the last couple of seasons, but he's been ultra-productive when healthy, posting more than half a goal per game and over a point per contest in 2018-19. He's among the NHL's best snipers and brightest stars at 22 years old.
6. Patrick Kane, Blackhawks
One of the league's most electrifying players is geared up for another season of "Showtime" in Chicago. The 30-year-old Kane showed why he's one of the most elite players in the game with a career-best 44-goal, 110-point season in 2018-19. Sitting at 938 career points, Kane will become the youngest American-born player to join the 1,000-point club if he can do it this season.
5. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
You know a player is special when his Hockey Reference page is covered in bold print, signaling a league leader. Ovechkin has won the "Rocket" Richard Trophy eight times and has led the NHL in shots 11 times. Even if he doesn't catch Wayne Gretzky for the all-time goals record, the Great Eight should be considered the best pure goal-scorer in hockey history based on era-adjusted stats.
4. Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche
Dilip Vishwanat / National Hockey League / Getty
After four decent but not great seasons to begin his career, MacKinnon emerged at age 22 as one of the best players in hockey during the 2017-18 season. Since then, the former first overall pick has notched 196 points in 156 games and enters the season as a Hart Trophy favorite.
3. Nikita Kucherov, Lightning
Sure, he plays on a stacked team, but Kucherov was a worthy Hart winner in June after leading the NHL in points and assists. The dynamic Russian forward's production has increased in all five campaigns since his rookie year in 2013-14, and while it might be hard to top 128 points, he's one of only a handful of players in the league who could conceivably do it.
2. Sidney Crosby, Penguins
Crosby proved last season that he's got plenty left in the tank with his first 100-point campaign since 2013-14. He may no longer be the consensus top talent in the league, but he's still arguably the most important face of the game. It will be a privilege to watch him add to his legacy in the back half of his career as the Penguins look to stay near the top of a competitive Metropolitan Division.
1. Connor McDavid, Oilers
For the second straight season, McDavid is our consensus No. 1 overall player, and rightly so. Nobody's more dominant than 97. He's the most explosive skater the game has ever seen, and the things he can do with the puck on his stick while at top gear are simply remarkable. Watching McDavid play hockey is a treat, and we should never take it for granted.
Leading up to the start of the 2019-20 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled on Oct. 2.
Stone has always been one of the best defensive wingers in hockey, but his positive offensive development has made him a rare commodity. Despite the Golden Knights' first-round playoff exit last season, the 27-year-old exploded for a ridiculous six goals and 12 points in seven games. It will be a treat to see what he can do over a full campaign on one of the league's top clubs.
29. Blake Wheeler, Jets
Wheeler is arguably the league's most underrated playmaker. Only Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid have more assists than the Jets captain over the past two years. There's a conversation to be had that he's a top-five NHL winger, but he's also shown the versatility and selflessness to play center when necessary.
28. Mark Scheifele, Jets
Frederick Breedon / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Scheifele has been a point-per-game player over the last three years for the Jets, culminating with career highs in goals (38) and points (84) last season. He has the ability to be a difference-maker by either scoring goals or setting up teammates as a playmaker and will be looking to help Winnipeg make another extended playoff run after last season's disappointing first-round exit.
27. Roman Josi, Predators
Josi continues to be one of the NHL's best puck-moving defensemen. The Nashville captain excels at generating offense, consistently maintaining favorable Scoring Chances For and Goals For percentages. He's topped 50 points in four of the last five seasons, and averaged more than 25 minutes of ice time in 2018-19.
26. Ryan O'Reilly, Blues
Could 2018-19 have gone any better for the Ontario native? O'Reilly mustered a career-high 77 points in his first year with the Blues and captured the Selke Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, and of course, the Stanley Cup. After such a dominant season, there's no question the 28-year-old is among the best two-way players in hockey.
25. Mitch Marner, Maple Leafs
Marner established himself as one of the game's best playmakers in 2018-19, leading the league with 36 primary assists at five-on-five. While he receives no shortage of attention playing in Toronto, the highly intelligent winger probably doesn't get enough credit for his defensive game. He has an excellent stick and is a threat shorthanded.
24. Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes
Aho was a massive talking point during the offseason after signing an offer sheet with the Canadiens. Carolina quickly matched the offer, which should have come as no surprise considering the 22-year-old is coming off of a breakout season when he led the Hurricanes in goals (30) and points (83).
23. Mikko Rantanen, Avalanche
Michael Martin / National Hockey League / Getty
Rantanen took another step forward last season, collecting 31 goals and 87 points to exceed his 2017-18 numbers despite playing seven fewer games. The Finnish forward benefits from playing on one of the best lines in hockey, but he's proven over the last two campaigns that he deserves a spot on Colorado's explosive top unit.
22. Brayden Point, Lightning
Point enjoyed a breakout third NHL season, notching career bests with 41 goals and 92 points in 79 games. The dynamic, two-way center also proved to be a lethal weapon on the man advantage, leading the entire league with 20 power-play markers.
21. Tyler Seguin, Stars
Only Alex Ovechkin fired more shots on goal than Seguin over the past two years. He's had at least 70 points in every season since joining the Stars in 2013-14, and it's quite possible the best is yet to come.
