Another week, a new number one in the TSN.ca NHL Power Rankings.
The San Jose Sharks, who have won five straight, vaulted into top spot, as the combination of strong goaltending and continued offensive production from the big guns -- Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley are all better than a point-per-game -- has the Sharks above the rest.
In addition to the strong individual components, the Sharks also have the league's sixth-best power play (25%) and sixth-best penalty killing (85%) and are tied for fourth in team plus-minus, so there isn't an on-ice situation that puts the Sharks at an inherent disadvantage.
Other challengers for top spot included the Phoenix Coyotes, who have to scramble for offence, but have the best defensive record in the league; the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are rolling, but are missing two crucial components on the power play, and the Buffalo Sabres, who were in position to hold top spot for another week before getting drilled by the Islanders on Saturday.
In fact, the Islanders are making a move of their own, jumping six spots to No. 22, on the strength of points in five straight games.
Going the other way, the offensively-challenged Hurricanes have plummeted to 29th spot, after losing nine straight and seeing Eric Staal sidelined by injury.
Dallas (Marty Turco) and Ottawa (Jason Spezza) also lost some ground due to injuries to key personnel.
The top-ranked Canadian team remains the Calgary Flames, despite back-to-back losses to end the week, staying a couple of spots ahead of the injury-wracked Vancouver Canucks and a couple more spots ahead of the Edmonton Oilers.
Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@ctv.ca