NHL Power Rankings: Eastern Conference Taking Control

No. 1: Montreal Canadiens
Previous: 1st
Season record: 14-3-2
I would honestly say the Rangers are probably the better all-around team, if you had to compare them and the Canadiens. But … Montreal has Carey Price.
I mean, it’s not like the team is just Price, but they’d be lost without him. The .950/1.58 statline is absurd, and if he stays healthy and at this level, he should win the Vezina in a walk (sorry, Crow and others).
That said, the Habs do have threats on offense. And the defense has somehow been OK with Shea Weber around instead of P.K. Subban. Weber has had no problem transitioning to his new team, with 15 points early. Alex Galchenyuk (19 points) and the previously problematic Alexander Radulov (16) are also producing.
Next: ’Hawks Being Overexposed Through Outdoor Hockey
Montreal spends another week on top of the NHL power rankings from Blackhawk Up, but the New York Rangers are closing in. Regardless of which one is “best” right now, there’s no doubt the Eastern Conference is controlling things early in the 2016-17 season.