Southeast Division Power Rankings: Week 1
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Washington Capitals (4-1-0, 8 pts, 1st in Division Standings): Is there really any question which team is the class of the Southeast. Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom, Knuble, Laich, Green, the list goes on. Top it off with one of the hottest rookie goalies in the league in Michal Neuvirth, with his 2.16 GAA and .930 save percentage and you have a very scary team with a chip on its shoulder.
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Atlanta Thrashers (3-2-0, 6 pts, 3rd in Division Standings): I had the Thrashers written in 3rd, but then I realized they won games against Washington, Anaheim and San Jose in the last week or so of play, and felt they deserved a bit of praise. Unfortunately, I don’t see Chris Thorburn keeping his near point-a-game scoring pace, although Chris Mason has the ability to keep what looks to be a very scrappy Thrashers team in the conversation.
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Tampa Bay Lightning (4-1-0, 8 pts, 2nd in Division Standings): Rookie GM Steve Yzerman has done some excellent work at the helm of this club, and it will be a huge surprise if the Lightning aren’t in the mix come playoff time. As long as the defense and goaltending can sort themselves out into a reliable back end, this offense could be trouble for quite a few teams this year.
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Carolina Hurricanes (2-2-0, 4 pts, 5th in Division Standings): Despite sweeping Minnesota in their overseas trip, the Hurricanes seemed much less dangerous when they got back to North America. Still, their first two games back were against an Ottawa Senators club that had lost its first three games of the year and a Vancouver team that most experts picked to be in the Cup Finals this season. If Cam Ward stays healthy, this team will catch a lot of people by surprise this year.
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Florida Panthers (2-2-0, 4 pts, 4th in Division Standings): It almost makes me feel bad for Tomas Vokoun, because he’s such a talented keeper who simply never got a chance with the right club. Back to back shutouts against the Flames and the Lightning will have the Panthers riding high this week, but I just don’t see any matchup on their schedule where they aren’t the underdog.
