Predlines Staff Composite Rankings
1. Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0-0 (Previous: 1)
2. Nashville Predators 2-0-0 (Previous : 4)
3. Carolina Hurricanes 1-1-0 (Previous: 2)
4. Dallas Stars 0-0-0 (Previous: 3)
5. Florida Panthers 1-0-0 (Previous: T-6)
6. Columbus Blue Jackets 0-2-0 (Previous: 5)
7. Detroit Red Wings 1-1-0 (Previous: 8)
8. Chicago Blackhawks 0-3-0 (Previous: 7)
The Nashville Predators make the biggest jump from the preseason rankings to the first week of the regular season. Again, it’s only two games, but they look like a refreshed team that can be in contention until the final days of the regular season.
On the other end, the Chicago Blackhawks are firmly in the No.8 spot as they’re the only team going into Monday’s action with an 0-3 record.
There’s so much uncertainty surrounding how the Dallas Stars will look once they finally get on the ice. We all had differing opinions on where to place them as they’ve yet to play a game, but there’s a consensus that they’re still a playoff team.
Maybe the Florida Panthers will be the ultimate wild card of the division. They’ve only played one game after originally being slotted to open the season against the Stars. They’ve got one win under their belt now, and that’s against the lowly Blackhawks.