Power Rankings: Ducks aren't holding water yet

by Wes Goldstein | CBSSports.com Staff Writer
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Updated Oct. 8

Is it that dreaded Stanley Cup hangover or simply the effects of jet lag? Either way, the new season hasn't started well for the Anaheim Ducks, who have won only once in their first five games and haven't looked very good in the process.

The Ducks and goalie Jonas Hiller haven't found the range yet. (AP)  
The Ducks and goalie Jonas Hiller haven't found the range yet. (AP)  
They're hurting of course, with key players like Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Samuel Pahlsson and Mathieu Schneider on the injured list, and veteran leaders Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne still on the sidelines, unsure if they want to continue their careers or retire. And it hasn't helped the defending champs to start their schedule with a long road trip, including the first two games overseas and the next three against opponents who got the emotional boosts of playing their home openers.

But Anaheim is a deep and talented team that had to overcome adversity en route to its title last season, an ability it hasn't yet demonstrated this season.

"We just have to play a better brand of hockey as a group," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said.

No kidding. While the Ducks rebounded in their second London game against Los Angeles after coming up flat in the opener, and then gave the Red Wings a spirited battle before losing a shootout in their North American launch, they let the lowly Blue Jackets walk all over them Friday and made too many mistakes to keep the high-powered Penguins from taking away a game the following night.

For now though, the good news is that San Jose, Anaheim's only serious Pacific Division rival, hasn't been much better. And at some point, the Ducks will get to ice the lineup they were counting on this season.

In the meantime however, they no longer hold the top spot in our rankings. Here's this week's list:

RANK TEAM MOVE (LW)
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