The Carolina Hurricanes are still sitting on top of ESPN’s NHL Power Rankings, holding the No. 1 spot in the latest release on Friday, November 6, after games through Wednesday, November 4.
Carolina’s grip on the top spot is backed by a 77.78% points percentage through Thursday, November 5. In net, Pyotr Kochetkov has handled the heaviest workload on the team and has put up a .921 save percentage, two shutouts, and just one regulation loss.
Minnesota made the biggest move near the top, jumping from No. 3 to No. 2 with a 73.53% points percentage. One of the Wild’s fantasy bright spots is Ryan Hartman, who averages 0.92 fantasy points per game and is available in 68.2% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Boston slid from No. 2 to No. 4 even though it shares that same 73.53% points percentage with Minnesota and Edmonton. Rookie center James Hagens has been part of the conversation there, averaging 1.98 fantasy points per game while skating at 5-on-5 with Elias Lindholm and Casey Mittelstadt.
Tampa Bay kept climbing, moving from No. 6 to No. 5 with a 73.33% points percentage. Defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous is averaging 2.00 fantasy points per game, and his power-play time has nearly tripled from last season.
Vegas took a step back, falling from No. 5 to No. 6 with a 66.67% points percentage. On the blue line, Rasmus Andersson is averaging 1.52 fantasy points per game and is available in 13.0% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Montreal was another riser, moving from No. 10 to No. 8 with a 71.88% points percentage. Jacob Fowler, 21, has gone 7-1-1 with a .925 save percentage and two shutouts, including a 46-save win over St. Louis.
Utah dropped from No. 8 to No. 10 with a 61.76% points percentage. Sebastian Cossa, 23, is being described as more valuable than Karel Vejmelka and as a dependable option behind Utah’s strong forward group.
Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark had been rolling before injury interrupted things, going 7-1-0 with a .945 save percentage before a lower-body injury sent him to injured reserve in late October.
Colorado also made a notable jump, climbing from No. 15 to No. 11 with a 58.82% points percentage. Scott Wedgewood has a -1.51 fantasy points per game average.
ESPN’s rankings come from ballots cast by a panel of hockey commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors. The previous rankings were released October 30, and the points percentages are based on standings through Thursday, November 5.
Looking ahead, Carolina hosts Chicago on November 7 and Seattle on November 12. Boston gets Florida on November 8 before visiting Montreal on November 12. Tampa Bay has a busy stretch coming up, with games at Minnesota on November 7, at Winnipeg on November 8, at Buffalo on November 11, and at Columbus on November 12.
In Other News...
Hurricanes Get A Key Forward Back As Their Lineup Changes Again
The Hurricanes are getting a familiar boost back up front as Taylor Hall reenters the lineup after missing nine games with an upper-body injury. Carolina has had to keep adjusting its forward mix through the early part of the season, and Halls return gives the group another proven option as it tries to settle into a rhythm.
Halls return also forces another change to the lineup, a reminder of how quickly things can shift this time of year when injuries start to pile up. For Carolina, the bigger picture is less about one night and more about finding some continuity, especially with other teams around the league still waiting on key forwards to come back from their own absences. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Showed Something Important In Road Win Over Islanders
The Hurricanes left UBS Arena with a 5-3 win over the Islanders, and it was the kind of road result that can carry some weight early in the season. Carolina controlled a lot of the play, outshooting New York 39-27, while Andrei Svechnikov chipped in a goal and an assist and Sebastian Aho set up two scores to help keep the offense moving.
William Carrier ended up delivering the decisive goal in the third period, the kind of timely finish Carolina has been looking for in tighter games away from home. Brandon Bussi backed it up with 24 saves, and with Semyon Varlamov turning aside 34 shots on the other end, the Hurricanes had to earn every bit of separation before finally putting the game away. [Read more 🡒]