20-game mile post

If you look at the power rankings after the first 10 games and then look at the standings now you would think it was two different seasons. Ottawa was 8-1-1 now 16-5 along with Detroit 15-6 are appear to be class of the league and the only respectable follow-ups to great starts. When the Philadelphia Flyers shot out of the gates with a 6-1 record to grab hold of the Atlantic Division lead, coach John Stevens asked that everyone wait to pass judgment on his team until the 20-game mark.
Well, here we are, 22 games into the 2007-08 season, and the Flyers have climbed back to the top of the division, along with the rival New York Rangers, with a respectable 13-7-2 record. In other words, the Flyers are 7-6-2 since starting the season with a bang. Vancouver (12-9) and Carolina (13-8) have come back to the pack and will have to struggle to keep their slim leads in the division.
With that said, here is the Smacchat 20-Game Power Rankings:

1. Ottawa 16-5-1
2. Detroit 15-6-2
3. Philly 13-7-2
4. Carolina 13-8-3
5. Dallas 12-7-4

Do you agree? Let us know in the NHL chatroom at smacchat.com

Deal for Lightning falls through, key investor sued

The deal to sell the Tampa Bay Lightning and land the team owns in the Channel District blew up amid accusations of backroom dealings spelled out in a lawsuit filed Monday in Hillsborough County Circuit Court. The differences between the two warring sides, however, may still be resolved and the deal potentially resurrected. Companies led by Lightning suitor and real estate developer Jeff Sherrin of South Florida say in their lawsuit that California investor and Hollywood producer Oren Koules went behind their backs and advised the Lightning not to deal with Sherrin's group, killing an agreement to sell the team. The deal was officially terminated on Nov. 14 by Palace Sports and Entertainment, the Detroit-based owners of the Lightning.

Power Rankings...

With the hockey now in full swing, here are Smacchat's top-5 power rankings:

1. Ottawa Senators – Despite an injury to their top center, the Senators are on a hot streak and have won five straight games.
2. Detroit Red Wings – After finally snapping a 9-game winning streak, their coach isn't worried, so why should we? "There's still too much of the season to worry about peaking. If this is as good as we'll be, we'll be no good in the end. You have to get better because the league is going to get better," the coach said.
3. Carolina Hurricanes – Brind’Amour is averaging approximately 90 seconds less of ice a night than the whopping 23:19 the 37-year-old averaged to rank third among NHL forwards last season, a smart move by the ’Canes that has them high up in the standings (11-4-3) and our rankings.
4. Colorado Avalanche – After Sunday’s third win in four games, the team will four idle nights to rest up before a busy schedule of 13 games in 26 days begins. If this streak continues after their break, they will be up in our rankings in no time.
5. Montreal Canadiens (9-4-3; Previous: 4) – With hot power-play goals and heads up play, the Canadiens have stayed in the top 5 despite being the only team in our top 5 with a single digit win total.

NHL update

Wow does Ottawa look unbeatable! 14-2 and no overtime games they are dominating right now. Can they be stopped?

One can argue that the Red Wings are right behind them at 13-2-1 and have had a tougher schedule.

Carolina had opened up a 6-point lead over second place Tampa Bay and may be off to the races this early in the season.

Colorado and Philly are in the second-tier but not on the same level as the Big-3 right now.

got an opinion? Let us know in the NHL chat room at www.smacchat.com