Predlines
Fansided

Central Division Power Rankings: Nashville Predators Fall Back

By Chad Minton

Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen (92) celebrates a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen (92) celebrates a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next

Max Greenberg’s Rankings (@MaxGreenberg176)

1. Tampa Bay Lightning (Last Week: 1)

2. Dallas Stars (Last Week: 5)

3. Carolina Hurricanes (Last Week: 3)

4. Florida Panthers (Last Week: 4)

5. Columbus Blue Jackets (Last Week: 6)

6. Nashville Predators (Last Week: 2)

7. Chicago Blackhawks (Last Week: 8)

8. Detroit Red Wings (Last Week: 7)

The Stars came into last week with the biggest opportunity to rise in the rankings, having not played a game until last Friday, and man did they deliver. They started their season in emphatic fashion, crushing the Predators 7-0 in their season opener, and followed that up by defeating them 3-2 on Sunday.

They have two games this week against the lackluster Red Wings, while the Lightning have two hit or miss games against the Hurricanes and Predators. Look for the Stars to potentially rise to the top of the rankings by the start of next week.

The Panthers have been somewhat unfortunate to start the season, as their opponents’ COVID issues have postponed four of their games. They are a tough team to gauge at this point, but they did take care of business in the two games they played, so anywhere in the middle of the pack seems to be an appropriate spot for them.

The Predators are undoubtedly the largest fallers in the rankings, as special teams issues have derailed them and resulted in three straight losses. It is early in the year, but this just feels like déjà vu for the club, and I fear things could spiral out of control if they do not fix their problems.

To finish this week’s rankings, the Blackhawks jumped the Red Wings after their disastrous 0-3-1 start. I still think there is a very good chance that Chicago finishes at the bottom of this division, but I couldn’t put them in last place this week after they beat the Red Wings twice.

Home/Analysis