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Nashville Predators: Opening Week Central Division Power Rankings

By Chad Minton

General view prior to announcements for the game between the Nashville Predators and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena on January 14, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
General view prior to announcements for the game between the Nashville Predators and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena on January 14, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators center Luke Kunin (11) and center Nick Cousins (21) tie up Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Eric Robinson (50) Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Chad Minton’s Rankings (@chad_minton)

1. Tampa Bay Lightning   2-0-0  (Previous: 1)

2. Nashville Predators 2-0-0 (Previous: 5)

3. Carolina Hurricanes 1-1-0 (Previous: 2)

4. Dallas Stars 0-0-0 (Previous: 3)

5. Florida Panthers 1-0-0 (Previous: 7)

6. Columbus Blue Jackets 0-2-0 (Previous: 4)

7. Detroit Red Wings 1-1-0  (Previous: 8)

8. Chicago Blackhawks 0-3-0 (Previous: 7)

My rankings have shifted quite a bit from our preseason edition almost a month ago. The Dallas Stars haven’t even played a game yet due to COVID-19, so who knows how they’ll look when they finally get onto the ice later this week.

The Stars don’t fall down too much for me because if anything, they’ll be fresh and ready to go.

The Predators are the biggest risers in the rankings after a two-game decisive sweep over the Columbus Blue Jackets. They did it with sound team defense and some stellar goaltending from Juuse Saros in both contests.

As for the Chicago Blackhawks, they look like possibly the worst team in the entire NHL. They’re not just losing, but getting dominated in their first three games. It didn’t help that they opened against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who retain their top spot.

The Predators and Hurricanes open a two-game, back-to-back set on Monday, so that will be very telling to if the Predators are legit and ready to be among the top four teams in the division.

And then there’s the Florida Panthers, a team I can’t put my finger on just yet. They’re a wildcard for me, but one that I’m certainly not overlooking.

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