Updated: January 28, 2013, 3:49 PM ET

Power Rankings: Shark-infested

Week:

By Pierre LeBrun (posted Jan. 28, 2013)

Ah, our first real Power Rankings of the lockout-shortened season. Nothing brings our commenters together like the Power Rankings. Sarcasm aside, it's hard to miss on the top two teams, the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks, beginning their first eight days in perfect style.

After that? Well, that's when the debate begins.

Player Power Rankings: Sharks are circling

2012-2013 Power Rankings: Week 2
RANK	TEAM / RECORD	TRENDING	COMMENTS
1	Chicago 6-0-0	10 Last Week: 11	Is this 2009-10 all over again? I know this: Corey Crawford has made an early statement to his doubters. He is 5-0 with a 1.78 goals-against average and .933 save percentage.
2	San Jose 5-0-0	21 Last Week: 23	So I joked with Joe Thornton via text message that his team owed me big-time for its red-hot start because I finally didn't pick it to win the Cup this year. "I know, thank you soooooooooo much," Thornton texted back. Thornton and linemate Patrick Marleau are on pace for 124.8 points each over 48 games.
3	Boston 3-0-1	2 Last Week: 5	The snarl is back, and so is the toughest team in the NHL. Man, these guys are intimidating. I picked the Rangers to come out of the East for the Cup finals, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if the B's returned to their 2011 glory.
4	St. Louis 5-1-0	1 Last Week: 3	Have a feeling they might be ranked first overall next week. My pick to come out of the West to go to the Cup finals, the Blues have done nothing to disappoint in that regard. They are so deep up front, it's scary. Chris Stewart has four goals on the young season while playing on the third line. Deep!
5	New Jersey 3-0-1	16 Last Week: 21	OK, I know they lost in Montreal on Sunday, but I want to give the Devils their due. Missing 52 goals after the exits of Zach Parise and Petr Sykora, New Jersey made a statement in the opening week that life will go on. It's the Devils' way.
6	Tampa Bay 4-1-0	10 Last Week: 16	Kudos to GM Steve Yzerman for his offseason work. Sami Salo is among those additions. Try a plus-9 and five assists in five games for the veteran blueliner with the surprising Bolts.
7	Montreal 3-1-0	18 Last Week: 25	Well, well. After an opening-night dud versus the Maple Leafs, the Habs have roared back with three impressive victories. Welcome back, Andrei Markov. The Habs have allowed only seven goals in four games. Michel Therrien, folks.
8	Pittsburgh 3-2-0	4 Last Week: 4	Losses to Toronto and Winnipeg were a reminder that the Penguins need fine-tuning. They had a good win over Ottawa on Sunday, but let's see if they get caught overlooking the Islanders on Tuesday in anticipation of Thursday's big one with the Rangers.
9	Minnesota 2-2-1	2 Last Week: 7	I know the Wild's record isn't overwhelming, but to me they've already showed they can play with the big boys. Great tilt Sunday night in St. Louis. The top line of Mikko Koivu between Dany Heatley and Zach Parise is on fire.
10	Anaheim 3-1-0	4 Last Week: 14	Daniel Winnik! Daniel Winnik! Daniel Winnik!
11	Ottawa 3-1-1	7 Last Week: 18	After a perfect 3-0-0 start, the Senators were cooled off with losses in Tampa and at home to Pittsburgh. But Craig Anderson is bringing it, leading all NHL goalies with a 0.73 GAA and .975 SP.
12	Vancouver 2-2-1	4 Last Week: 8	Alex Burrows has done an admirable job filling in at center, but boy does this team need Ryan Kesler back.
13	Detroit 2-2-1	6 Last Week: 19	Nice response from the veteran Red Wings this past weekend, picking up three of four points versus the Wild and Blackhawks. They needed that performance.
14	Winnipeg 3-1-1	14 Last Week: 28	Is there a tougher rink in the NHL to play in? Don't think so. I love watching the Jets at home. Nice comeback win over the Islanders on Sunday night.
15	New York 2-3-0	13 Last Week: 2	They're rounding into form now. I doubt we'll see the Blueshirts ranked this low again this season.
16	New York 2-2-1	11 Last Week: 27	This young team is so, so close to taking that next step. I enjoy watching the Islanders' games.
17	Los Angeles 1-2-1	16 Last Week: 1	Finally got one in Phoenix on Saturday night. Anze Kopitar's return has sparked the Cup champions over the past couple of games.
18	Dallas 2-2-1	2 Last Week: 20	Welcome back, Jamie Benn. You were missed. Can Jaromir Jagr do for Benn what he did for Claude Giroux?
19	Nashville 1-1-3	2 Last Week: 17	The Preds have scored 10 goals in five games. It will be their bugaboo this season: finding consistent offense.
20	Carolina 2-2-0	7 Last Week: 13	Whew, that must have felt good for the Hurricanes, a sexy pick to surprise this season: getting back-to-back wins over the Sabres to get things on track.
21	Buffalo 2-3-0	1 Last Week: 22	Defensive coverage is a major issue right now for these Sabres.
22	Colorado 2-2-0	7 Last Week: 15	Sign Ryan O'Reilly. Now. It's insane to have made this a fight. He was your leading scorer last season. There has to be middle ground to end this squabble.
23	Edmonton 2-2-0	1 Last Week: 24	Win one, lose one, win one, lose one. These are the ups and downs of a young, exciting team learning how to win. But boys, let's play some defense.
24	Philadelphia 2-4-0	15 Last Week: 9	This team has a long list of injuries and plenty of question marks.
25	Toronto 2-3-0	4 Last Week: 29	Back to their old ways defensively. Phil Kessel has yet to score a goal. Randy Carlyle has the right idea; he just needs these guys to believe.
26	Phoenix 1-4-0	20 Last Week: 6	It's been Coyote ugly. It begins with allowing 20 goals in five games. That's not Coyotes hockey.
27	Washington 1-3-1	15 Last Week: 12	Adam Oates' new system is a good one, but it takes time to learn, especially with no preseason. Patience, Caps fans.
28	Florida 1-4-0	18 Last Week: 10	A pile of injuries and perhaps the reality that the Panthers team overachieved last season has led them here.
29	Calgary 1-2-1	3 Last Week: 26	It's so depressing watching this unfold. Ownership should have stepped up two summers ago and agreed to rebuild this team.
30	Columbus 1-3-1	-- Last Week: 30	I will say this: These Jackets are playing with much more energy and purpose so far. The Blackhawks and Red Wings were black and blue after playing the Jackets.
Biggest Jump: 21 Biggest Drop: 20

Power Rankings: Shark-infested

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