The New York Rangers have been a powerhouse early in the season and take over as the top team in the TSN.ca NHL Power Rankings, ahead of the Washington Capitals, Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks.

The Blueshirts have, by far, the best goal differential in the league and have such scoring depth that they are creating mismatches throughout the lineup. Even better, they score enough to overcome what appears to be a mediocre defence.

Teams climbing this week include the Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Teams falling this week include the San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders and Colorado Avalanche.

1. NEW YORK RANGERS 10-3-0

THIS WEEK: 1 LAST WEEK: 4

GF: 4.23 GA: 2.23 SA CF%: 51.0

PP%: 22.7 PK%: 83.3

The Blueshirts have won five straight, outscoring the opposition 26-8 in those games. They have six forwards that have at least five goals, and that doesn’t include Chris Kreider, who has 10 points in nine games, or Brandon Pirri and Mika Zibanejad, who have nine points in 13 games.

Key Injuries: None.

2. WASHINGTON CAPITALS 8-2-1

THIS WEEK: 2 LAST WEEK: 2

GF: 3.00 GA: 2.09 SA CF%: 55.0

PP%: 14.3 PK%: 80.6

The Capitals have also won five straight, and could very easily have taken over top spot, but they just haven’t created the same goal differential as the Rangers. More scoring depth is needed, as Alex Ovechkin, Marcus Johansson and T.J. Oshie are the only Capitals with more than two goals.

Key Injuries: None.

3. MONTREAL CANADIENS 10-1-1

THIS WEEK: 3 LAST WEEK: 1

GF: 3.25 GA: 2.25 SA CF%: 50.0

PP%: 17.9 PK%: 80.0

That’s one way to end a streak of being unbeaten in regulation – the Habs were shelled 10-0 in Columbus Friday night, raising the worst fears that could ever exist for a team that has one regulation loss the first 12 games of the season. It’s the record of a title contender, but what kind of title contender gets spanked like that, under any circumtances?

Key Injuries: None.

A cynic might wonder about the character of a professional hockey team that gets drilled 10-0. — Scott Cullen (@tsnscottcullen) November 5, 2016

4. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS 9-3-1

THIS WEEK: 4 LAST WEEK: 9

GF: 3.54 GA: 2.46 SA CF%: 51.7

PP%: 20.4 PK%: 65.2

The Blackhawks have won six in a row, and while G Corey Crawford has been a rock for them, they also have the league’s leading scorer, Artem Anisimov, who has 17 points in 13 games.

Key Injuries: None.

5. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 8-2-2

THIS WEEK: 5 LAST WEEK: 7

GF: 3.00 GA: 2.58 SA CF%: 49.8

PP%: 24.4 PK%: 81.6

The Penguins are healthy and their only blemish in the past six games is an OT loss at the Kings, the second half of a SoCal back-to-back. Sidney Crosby has eight goals in six games, and G Matt Murray has stopped 64 of 65 shots in his two starts.

Key Injuries: None.

6. EDMONTON OILERS 9-3-1

THIS WEEK: 6 LAST WEEK: 3

GF: 3.00 GA: 2.38 SA CF%: 50.1

PP%: 21.1 PK%: 89.5

Had gone four games without a regulation win before Sunday’s 2-1 win at Detroit, with Jonas Gustavsson making his first start of the season. There are four Oilers with at least four goals – Connor McDavid, Milan Lucic, Patrick Maroon and…Tyler Pitlick?

Key Injuries: D Brandon Davidson (lower body), D Mark Fayne (undisclosed), D Kris Russell (lower body).

Nikita Kucherov has 12 points in the past six games.

7. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 7-4-1

THIS WEEK: 7 LAST WEEK: 15

GF: 3.25 GA: 2.83 SA CF%: 50.7

PP%: 26.5 PK%: 89.5

The Lightning have recovered from their three-game losing skid, going 2-0-1 in the past three, so they move into the Top 10 again, but this is still relatively modest given the talent on the roster.

Key Injuries: LW Jonathan Drouin (upper body).

8. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 5-3-2

THIS WEEK: 8 LAST WEEK: 19

GF: 3.20 GA: 2.10 SA CF%: 48.7

PP%: 39.3 PK%: 90.6

The Jackets are killing it on special teams, and Sergei Bobrovsky is back on top of his game, so the results have been good, but shot differentials do raise some concerns about the sustainability of it all, no matter what the coach says.

Key Injuries: D Seth Jones (foot).

9. ST. LOUIS BLUES 7-4-2

THIS WEEK: 9 LAST WEEK: 6

GF: 2.38 GA: 2.54 SA CF%: 54.4

PP%: 16.7 PK%: 90.4

RW Vladimir Tarasenko had gone seven games without a goal before netting the OT winner against Columbus Saturday. He’s still firing pucks (a career-high 4.15 shots on goal per game), so expect that slump to be a blip on the radar.

Key Injuries: None.

10. ANAHEIM DUCKS 6-5-2

THIS WEEK: 10 LAST WEEK: 22

GF: 2.69 GA: 2.31 SA CF%: 50.5

PP%: 27.9 PK%: 83.7

The Ducks have been coming around, winning three of the four games that they have played since Rickard Rakell returned to the lineup. There should be a boost coming soon once Hampus Lindholm arrives too.

Key Injuries: D Simon Despres (concussion).

11. MINNESOTA WILD 6-4-1

THIS WEEK: 11 LAST WEEK: 8

GF: 3.00 GA: 2.00 SA CF%: 49.2

PP%: 14.7 PK%: 93.5

The Wild lost their two games last week, by a total score of 3-1. All Devan Dubnyk (.951 SV%) needs is a little help, okay?

Key Injuries: LW Zach Parise (lower body), D Marco Scandella (lower body), C Erik Haula (lower body).

12. OTTAWA SENATORS 7-4-0

THIS WEEK: 12 LAST WEEK: 12

GF: 2.55 GA: 2.55 SA CF%: 47.5

PP%: 12.9 PK%: 82.3

The Senators have scored six goals in the past four games, but it was still good enough to go 3-1, thanks in large part to Craig Anderson, who is playing great under trying circumstances.

Key Injuries: LW Clarke MacArthur (concussion).

TSN Hockey's Top 10 Storylines of the Week, including Anderson, Habs, McDavid vs. Matthews, Vesey, Canucks, more. https://t.co/2vkKhFjNq2 pic.twitter.com/e3ahV2Rel3 — Scott Cullen (@tsnscottcullen) November 5, 2016

13. FLORIDA PANTHERS 5-6-1

THIS WEEK: 13 LAST WEEK: 10

GF: 2.67 GA: 2.58 SA CF%: 54.8

PP%: 17.8 PK%: 80.0

The results haven’t been ideal for Florida’s strong possession game, in part because of…goaltending? Roberto Luongo and James Reimer have a .908 save percentage thus far, and they need a little bit better, especially while they wait for some of their big guns (Jaromir Jagr, Aleksander Barkov) to start firing.

Key Injuries: LW Jonathan Huberdeau (Achilles), C Nick Bjugstad (hand), LW Jussi Jokinen (knee).

14. BUFFALO SABRES 5-4-2

THIS WEEK: 14 LAST WEEK: 20

GF: 2.27 GA: 2.18 SA CF%: 49.3

PP%: 22.2 PK%: 82.8

The Sabres have won four of five, with their only loss coming in a 2-1 defeat to Toronto while outshooting the Leafs 43-29. Their possession numbers are improving and the Sabres have received great goaltending from Robin Lehner and Anders Nilsson.

Key Injuries: C Jack Eichel (ankle), LW Evander Kane (ribs), D Zach Bogosian (knee).

15. NEW JERSEY DEVILS 5-3-3

THIS WEEK: 15 LAST WEEK: 13

GF: 2.36 GA: 2.27 SA CF%: 47.4

PP%: 19.4 PK%: 82.5

There have been some ups and downs, but the Devils have one regulation loss in the past seven games. Their leading scorer through 11 games is something of a surprise – D Damon Severson, who has five of his nine points on the power play.

Key Injuries: D Jon Merrill (finger).

Young talent like Mitch Marner not only makes the Maple Leafs fun to watch, but they might even be good.

16. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 5-4-3

THIS WEEK: 16 LAST WEEK: 27

GF: 3.08 GA: 3.33 SA CF%: 53.2

PP%: 23.5 PK%: 84.2

As G Frederik Andersen has turned his season around, posting a .944 SV% in the past five games, the Maple Leafs are getting more favourable results, living up to the team’s strong possession numbers (53.2% score-adjusted Corsi).

Key Injuries: LW Joffrey Lupul (sports hernia).

17. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 6-6-1

THIS WEEK: 17 LAST WEEK: 16

GF: 3.46 GA: 3.69 SA CF%: 52.8

PP%: 27.4 PK%: 77.5

Both Flyers goaltenders have appeared in eight games, and Steve Mason has a .878 save percentage to lead the way. An answer in goal could really have a positive impact for a team that is otherwise playing a pretty strong game.

Key Injuries: None.

18. SAN JOSE SHARKS 6-6-0

THIS WEEK: 18 LAST WEEK: 5

GF: 2.25 GA: 2.67 SA CF%: 54.9

PP%: 19.5 PK%: 87.1

The Sharks dropped all three games last week, by a total score of 11-4, with the rematch against Pittsburgh ending in an ignominious 5-0 defeat. Now, they embark on a six-game road trip, so they will have to do some work to pull out of this in the short-term.

Key Injuries: None.

19. LOS ANGELES KINGS 6-6-0

THIS WEEK: 19 LAST WEEK: 21

GF: 2.25 GA: 2.67 SA CF%: 56.0

PP%: 11.4 PK%: 77.3

Saturday’s 5-0 win over Calgary was the Kings’ first regulation win of the season, which seems hard to believe, but they’re not scoring enough to compensate for the questionable goaltending situation. Tanner Pearson leads the team with four goals, but the Kings need more from others.

Key Injuries: LW Marian Gaborik (knee), G Jonathan Quick (groin), D Brayden McNabb (arm).

The Bruins need more from slow-starting centres David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron.

20. BOSTON BRUINS 6-5-0

THIS WEEK: 20 LAST WEEK: 17

GF: 2.27 GA: 2.91 SA CF%: 52.5

PP%: 7.9 PK%: 83.3

Boston’s power play has been a mess, going 3 for 38. Ryan Spooner, who has been a disappointment otherwise, has two of the three goals with the man advantage.

Key Injuries: LW Frank Vatrano (foot), D Kevan Miller (knee).

21. DETROIT RED WINGS 6-6-1

THIS WEEK: 21 LAST WEEK: 11

GF: 2.62 GA: 2.69 SA CF%: 47.2

PP%: 19.1 PK%: 80.5

Winless in five, the Wings are reeling. Jimmy Howard might be capable of pushing Petr Mrazek for the starting job in net, but Detroit’s bigger concern is that they don’t have enough elite talent at the top of the roster.

Key Injuries: LW Thomas Vanek (groin).

22. DALLAS STARS 4-5-3

THIS WEEK: 22 LAST WEEK: 26

GF: 2.58 GA: 3.17 SA CF%: 49.8

PP%: 14.3 PK%: 78.7

The Stars are forced to grind out points, with injuries decimating their forward group and goaltending as poorly performing as might have been feared. This heaps a ton of pressure on Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, two established stars/Stars who are healthy.

Key Injuries: LW Mattias Janmark (knee), C Cody Eakin (knee), LW Patrick Sharp (concussion), RW Ales Hemsky (hip), RW Jiri Hudler (illness), C Jason Spezza (lower body).

The Hurricanes need more offensive support for Jeff Skinner.

23. CAROLINA HURRICANES 3-5-3

THIS WEEK: 23 LAST WEEK: 28

GF: 2.55 GA: 3.45 SA CF%: 53.5

PP%: 18.9 PK%: 87.9

Goaltending continues to plague the Hurricanes, but they’re struggling at the other end of the rink too. Jeff Skinner and Victor Rask are productive, but Teuvo Teravainen, Sebastian Aho, Elias Lindholm and Joakim Nordstrom have combined for two goals.

Key Injuries: None.

24. WINNIPEG JETS 5-7-1

THIS WEEK: 24 LAST WEEK: 24

GF: 2.62 GA: 3.15 SA CF%: 48.8

PP%: 10.4 PK%: 81.8

The Jets have one win in the past five games and can’t seem to find an answer in net either. They moved on from Ondrej Pavelec, but Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson have combined for a .898 save percentage. The defence should be getting better soon, however, as the Jets have just signed D Jacob Trouba to a two-year deal.

Key Injuries: C Bryan Little (knee), RW Drew Stafford (upper body), D Tyler Myers (lower body).

25. NEW YORK ISLANDERS 4-6-2

THIS WEEK: 25 LAST WEEK: 18

GF: 2.75 GA: 3.00 SA CF%: 46.8

PP%: 11.4 PK%: 78.3

One win in the past six games for the Islanders, who are still waiting on Andrew Ladd’s first goal. He ranks second among goalless forwards in ice time.

Key Injuries: C Mikhail Grabovski (concussion), D Travis Hamonic (thumb).

26. NASHVILLE PREDATORS 3-5-3

THIS WEEK: 26 LAST WEEK: 29

GF: 2.55 GA: 3.00 SA CF%: 49.2

PP%: 28.6 PK%: 75.7

The Predators have one win in the past six games though, on the plus side, they have one regulation loss in the past five games. Shootout and overtime losses are counting as tiny bits of progress.

Key Injuries: C Mike Fisher (upper body).

27. COLORADO AVALANCHE 5-6-0

THIS WEEK: 27 LAST WEEK: 14

GF: 2.00 GA: 3.00 SA CF%: 47.6

PP%: 17.1 PK%: 79.5

Is Calvin Pickard going to push his way into the starting goaltender’s job? He has a .946 save percentage in four games, while Semyon Varlamov has an unseemly .881 mark in eight games, and the way the Avalanche are struggling to score, they need goaltending to give them a chance.

Key Injuries: None.

28. CALGARY FLAMES 5-8-1

THIS WEEK: 28 LAST WEEK: 23

GF: 2.50 GA: 3.57 SA CF%: 48.6

PP%: 8.3 PK%: 72.4

Four losses in the past five games for the Flames, with the past three defeats coming by a cumulative 14-2 score. The Flames lean heavily on their top players, so it’s hard to overcome when the likes of LW Johnny Gaudreau, C Sean Monahan and D T.J. Brodie are struggling.

Key Injuries: None.

29. VANCOUVER CANUCKS 4-6-2

THIS WEEK: 29 LAST WEEK: 25

GF: 1.58 GA: 2.75 SA CF%: 45.8

PP%: 7.7 PK%: 84.8

The Canucks opened the year with four wins, but are now winless in eight, scoring a total of 10 goals. Somehow, the Sedins still think this team can compete for a playoff spot.

Key Injuries: RW Anton Rodin (knee), D Chris Tanev (lower body), D Alexander Edler (upper body), RW Jannik Hansen.

30. ARIZONA COYOTES 4-7-0

THIS WEEK: 30 LAST WEEK: 30

GF: 2.73 GA: 3.82 SA CF%: 45.9

PP%: 8.8 PK%: 75.0

The Coyotes have won three of five and are be on the verge of escaping the basement, if not for some significant injuries. The way that the Canucks are going, it shouldn’t take long.

Key Injuries: G Mike Smith (lower body), D Michael Stone (upper body), C Martin Hanzal (lower body).

Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca