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Power Rankings: Kiddie Penguins already making big splash

Updated Oct. 31

There's a natural tendency to look to the future when thinking about the Pittsburgh Penguins, which is understandable considering the team could move and the core of its exceptionally talented lineup doesn't have to shave yet.

Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with six goals, nine assists after nine games. (Getty Images)  
Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with six goals, nine assists after nine games. (Getty Images)  
But maybe people should stop getting ahead of themselves and focus on what's going on right now. The Penguins, dismissed as a playoff contender before the season began by almost all the experts, have a deep-pocketed new owner and they might get the new building necessary to keep them in Pittsburgh. But most important, they are playing surprisingly well in early going.

Thanks to a kiddie corps led by fresh-faced superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and recent first-round draft picks Marc-Andre Fleury, Jordan Staal and Ryan Whitney, Pittsburgh finished October riding a four-game winning streak that lifted its record to 6-3 and gave the Penguins a better winning percentage than all but two teams in the East.

"It's been really exciting," said Staal, an 18-year-old who learned this week that he'll be hanging around the NHL instead of being sent back to the junior leagues. "I think this team's really starting to join together, really creating a lot of chemistry."

The most interesting chemistry of late has been developing between Crosby and Malkin, two natural centers who have been on the same line since last week. The bond was apparent in the first game they played as a unit against New Jersey, when Crosby set up Malkin for a goal that will likely remain part of highlight packages for years to come.

"It's a little bit hard for me because I'm not used to it," Malkin said about his new position. "But if the coach thinks I'm doing well on the left wing, that's how I'm going to play now.

"Right now we are winning the games and it's great for everybody."

Obviously. Here are the rankings for this week.

Power Rankings
CurrentTeamPrevious
1Blackhawks · Trends2
Chicago had to have a letdown after that statement win in San Jose, just not enough to ruin a great 4-1-1 circus road trip.
2Sharks · Trends1
The Sharks are always among the best at home, but this season they already have 11 road wins to lead the league.
3Devils · Trends3
Marty's just being Marty. Devils goalie Brodeur has allowed two goals or less in 13 of his past 15 starts, and one or less in eight of those.
4Penguins · Trends7
Getting healthy and on a roll. The Pens are starting to fire on all cylinders and have won six of their past eight.
5Flames · Trends5
They are taking control of the Northwest Division mainly because of how well they are playing on the road.
6Capitals · Trends6
Semyon Varlamov has picked up where he left off in the playoffs, going 10-1-3 so far in his first full NHL season.
7Sabres · Trends8
Is there any doubt Ryan Miller has locked up the starting job for Team USA at the Olympics?
8Predators · Trends9
A very solid blue line and good work in goal from both Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis have the Predators in the thick of the West race.
9Bruins · Trends11
Playing a lot of hockey these days, with OTs in five of their past six, but Boston is picking up points and back in the division race.
10Thrashers · Trends21
In Ilya Kovalchuk's shadow, Rich Peverley remains an impact guy with a league-leading five game-winners among his 10 goals.
11Senators · Trends10
Mike Fisher is having a big-time turnaround season for the Sens and putting up the best numbers of his career.
12Flyers · Trends4
With the Flyers still falling short of expectations, coach John Stevens' future is being called into question.
13Coyotes · Trends17
Tough team to play against when ahead. Phoenix is 11-2-1 this season when scoring first.
14Red Wings · Trends13
You know things are rough offensively when the home folks are yelling "Let's go Lions."
15Lightning · Trends19
Steven Stamkos continues his remarkable sophomore season and drive toward Canada's Olympic team. He's on pace to score more than 50 goals.
16Kings · Trends14
Anze Kopitar's shootout winner against Chicago is the only time he has scored since Ryan Smyth went down.
17Avalanche · Trends18
Things continue to go downhill for the Avalanche, who now have their top two goal scorers on the shelf.
18Canucks · Trends16
The Canucks are in the playoff picture because of their record at home and in spite of their penalty killing so far.
19Stars · Trends20
Dallas has actually lost more games than it has won, but the loser points are keeping the Stars in the hunt.
20Rangers · Trends22
Little is going right these days, making the great start seem more like an illusion with each passing game.
21Panthers · Trends12
If only games lasted 40 minutes. Florida triggered four losses in the third period last week, and has won only four of nine times it has led after two.
22Canadiens · Trends25
Montreal finishes the season's second month like the first, as a .500 team that doesn't look playoff bound.
23Islanders · Trends23
Josh Bailey responded to being a healthy scratch with a nice offensive surge for the scrappy Isles.
24Ducks · Trends27
No one is shutting down Perry and Getzlaf these days, but Anaheim's hole is still pretty deep.
25Maple Leafs · Trends30
A trip down south was just what the doctor ordered for the Leafs, who are getting big-time production from Niklas Hagman and Phil Kessel.
26Blue Jackets · Trends15
Hard to imagine team defense would be the problem on a Ken Hitchcock coached team.
27Blues · Trends24
One reason for the Blues' 4-8-2 record in their own building is their inability to score there. St. Louis has only 28 goals in 14 games at home.
28Wild · Trends28
Still a long way to go, but at least the Wild has picked up points in 10 of their past 13 games.
29Oilers · Trends26
They can't win on the road lately, or anywhere for that matter. Edmonton's five-game road losing streak is part of a 4-11-3 mark over the past 18 games.
30Hurricanes · Trends29
The 'Canes allowed five third-period goals twice over the weekend and still haven't won on the road.
 
 

 
 
 
 
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