Updated: December 9, 2008, 2:50 PM ET

Power Rankings: San Jose holds No. 1 spot for another week

Week:

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I know I'm going to hear it from Boston Bruins fans, but the San Jose Sharks are still the NHL's best team so far this season.

Before you start posting hate-filled messages you need to realize: (1) yes, I know I'm a hack; and (2) let's leave my mother out of this.

So ... on with the Power Rankings. You can have your turn here.

-- By Jim Wilkie; posted on Dec. 8

2008-2009 Power Rankings: Week 7
RANK	TEAM / RECORD	TRENDING	COMMENTS
1	San Jose 22-3-2	-- Last Week: 1	Overtime loss to the Oilers stings, but the Sharks still haven't lost in regulation at home this season.
2	Boston 18-4-4	-- Last Week: 2	After feasting on two cupcakes from Florida last week, the Bruins have one toughie against the Caps sprinkled between the Lightning and two against the Thrashers.
3	Detroit 18-4-4	-- Last Week: 3	Another perfect week thanks in part to underrated Jiri Hudler, who scores a goal every 28 minutes of ice time. Marian Hossa is averaging one every 32 minutes, Johan Franzen one per 35 minutes, Henrik Zetterberg one every 41 minutes and Pavel Datsyuk one every 64 minutes.
4	Pittsburgh 15-7-4	-- Last Week: 4	Evgeni Malkin (43 points) and Sidney Crosby (40) are still 1-2 in the scoring race.
5	Montreal 15-6-5	6 Last Week: 11	When Saku Koivu is fighting and guys like Matt D'Agostini are scoring, the Habs are tough to stop.
6	Washington 15-10-3	1 Last Week: 7	How do you stop Alexander Ovechkin? Give him a penalty shot (0-for-2 this season and scoreless in five career attempts).
7	New Jersey 14-8-2	5 Last Week: 12	Those cagey Devils are 7-1-0 in their past eight games and 8-6-0 without Martin Brodeur in the cage.
8	Chicago 12-6-7	2 Last Week: 10	Tough shootout loss to the Red Wings, but we can't wait to see more moves from Jonathan Toews in the Winter Classic.
9	Vancouver 15-10-3	3 Last Week: 6	Christmas might come early for the Canucks with Mats Sundin making his choice by Dec. 15.
10	New York 18-10-2	1 Last Week: 9	Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist tells the New York Post, "The first month we were playing a very strict and disciplined game, but lately that's only been so-so, and that's not really good enough for this team."
11	Philadelphia 13-7-6	3 Last Week: 14	The Flyers are 12-1-4 when they score first. Seems like a good strategy.
12	Calgary 16-10-1	3 Last Week: 15	Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff seems to be bouncing back after a slow start (1.78 goals-against average and .930 save percentage in past nine games).
13	Anaheim 15-10-3	5 Last Week: 8	Ducks rookie Bobby Ryan dropped to fourth line with George Parros and Ryan Carter.
14	Minnesota 15-10-1	9 Last Week: 5	Three losses over the past week dropped Minnesota's record in one-goal games to 8-7-1.
15	Nashville 14-10-2	3 Last Week: 18	Nobody can beat Pekka Rinne.
16	Edmonton 13-11-2	4 Last Week: 20	Oilers better hang onto Sharks-killer Dwayne Roloson in case they meet San Jose in the playoffs.
17	Carolina 13-12-3	4 Last Week: 13	Paul Maurice (1-1-1 since he was rehired) must feel like he's still coaching the Maple Leafs.
18	Buffalo 12-11-3	2 Last Week: 16	Sabres coach Lindy Ruff criticized goalie Ryan Miller for not reading opponents' plays quickly.
19	Los Angeles 11-11-4	-- Last Week: 19	Nineteen-year-old rookie defenseman Drew Doughty leads all Kings in average ice time (23:32).
20	Colorado 13-13-1	1 Last Week: 21	Nothing like a visit from the Canucks to help the Avalanche snap a losing streak.
21	St. Louis 11-11-3	2 Last Week: 23	Goalie controversy brewing in St. Louis between Chris Mason and Manny Legace.
22	Columbus 11-13-3	5 Last Week: 17	Columbus (three) and Los Angeles (two) combined for five shots in the first period of the Kings' 3-0 win Saturday. "That first period might have been one of the most boring periods I have ever seen," Kings goaltender Jason LaBarbera told The Columbus Dispatch.
23	Ottawa 10-10-4	4 Last Week: 27	Pizza Line starting to heat up.
24	Florida 11-12-3	2 Last Week: 26	Craig Anderson, your NHL leader in save percentage (.943).
25	Phoenix 12-13-2	-- Last Week: 25	Shane Doan needs more help. He leads the Coyotes in goals (13), points (26) and penalty minutes (44).
26	Dallas 10-12-4	2 Last Week: 28	At least Sean Avery has that Vogue magazine career to fall back on.
27	New York 10-14-2	5 Last Week: 22	Andy Sutton (plus-4) and Josh Bailey (plus-1) are the only non-minus players on the Islanders' roster.
28	Winnipeg 9-14-3	1 Last Week: 29	Ilya Kovalchuk trade rumors are gaining steam. If true, it could mean the end of NHL hockey in Atlanta.
29	Toronto 9-12-6	5 Last Week: 24	The Maple Leafs can't even get moral victories as they have been outshot in five of six games after going 17 games without being outshot.
30	Tampa Bay 6-12-8	-- Last Week: 30	Take heart, Lightning fans. Following the consistently awful route taken by the Penguins a few years back should result in a blue-chip building block such as John Tavares or Victor Hedman to go with Steven Stamkos.
Biggest Jump: 6 Biggest Drop: 9

Power Rankings: San Jose holds No. 1 spot for another week

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