One full month into the NHL season, it’s becoming clear which teams have the goods to compete for the Stanley Cup and which are in need of a dramatic makeover. The New York Sun’s NHL Power Rankings take into account all of the expected statistical data – record, goals scored, goals allowed, power play efficiency, and penalty killing success – but also the intangibles that put teams over the hump come playoff time.

The Red Wings and Hurricanes have gotten off to fabulous starts, but it’s important to note that they’ve played a disproportionate number of games against bottom-third teams, so their rankings will take a serious hit if we find that they don’t match up well against elite-level opponents.

In sharp contrast, both the Senators and Canadiens have been excellent thus far, despite the fact that they play in what will likely turn out to be the league’s most hotly-contested division. As their schedule diversifies, look for the Sens and Habs to further distinguish themselves as two of the NHL’s finest teams.

1. OTTAWA SENATORS If Dominik Hasek remains healthy, the Senators are the are the prohibitive Cup favorites. Given his history, however, that’s a very big “if.” Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson, and Martin Havlat are all on fire, giving the Sens the NHL’s most dominant offense.

W-L-OT GF GA PP% PK%
11-2-0 64 28 22.3% 84.2%

2. DETROIT RED WINGS Despite fears, the salary cap has not damaged the Wings, who are better now than they were in 2003-04. Tomas Holmstrom, Jason Williams, and Mikael Samuelsson are all off to career-best starts.

14-2-1 68 37 25.2% 87.6%

3. MONTREAL CANADIENS The Habs are extremely underrated, and should only improve now that Jose Theodore is finding his groove. Saku Koivu and Alexei Kovalev, both averaging over a point-per-game, lead the offense.

12-3-1 51 43 20.1% 83.6%

4of PHILADELPHIA Peter Forsberg FLYERS appears The to outweigh addition the losses of Jeremy Roenick, John LeClair, Tony Amonte, and Alexei Zhamnov. Simon Gagne is finally living up to his enormous potential.

9-3-1 60 44 20.7% 75.8%

5 CAROLINA torella has his HURRICANES team rolling; as long Peter as Tor Eric – Staal and Erik Cole keep scoring at a torrid pace, the ‘Canes will keep on winning. The goaltending tandem of Martin Gerber and Cam Ward is a question mark.

11-2-1 59 38 22.4% 81.0%

6 COLORADO surprise at 36, AVALANCHE Pierre Turgeon A is pleasant helping the Avs make do without Forsberg. David Aebischer has looked somewhat shaky in goal, a situation that bears watching as the season progresses.

8-4-2 60 45 22.3% 87.6%

7 NASHVILLE oun is the best PREDATORS goalie in the Tomas game Vok and – Paul Kariya has been a great addition, but can the Predators survive the loss of winger Scott Walker for 10 weeks?

9-2-3 41 39 14.2% 85.2%

8 TORONTO Bryan McCabe MAPLE has emerged LEAFS as a Blueliner bona fide Norris Trophy candidate, but the Leafs struggled without Mats Sundin for the first 12 games and their aged lineup will probably spend considerable time on injured reserve.

8-6-2 60 59 23.6% 82.3%

9 MINNESOTA has adapted his WILD coaching Jacques style to Lemaire suit the new NHL, and the Wild are a force to be reckoned with. Former top pick Alexandre Daigle’s St. Paul renaissance continues. 8-7-2 47 39 19.3% 92.1% 10two of ANGELES the AHL’s best KINGS goalies Employing during the lockout year has paid great dividends for the Kings, while Alexander Frolov and free agent acquisition Pavol Demitra lead the team’s deep offense. 10-5-1 56 46 15.8% 85.2% 11 VANCOUVER home, the Canucks CANUCKS are one Unbeaten of the NHL at ‘s most balanced teams. But their goaltending is still a question mark, especially with Dan Cloutier on IR with a concussion. 10-4-2 53 47 17.2% 80.0% 12 DALLAS Marty Turco STARS are playing Mike Modano well, but and the top-heavy Stars don’t have enough firepower to contend for the Cup. 9-5-1 53 48 16.6% 83.8% 13Leetch BOSTON hurts BRUINS badly, but The if the loss Bruins of Brian can survive his absence, they’ll challenge for the Northeast division crown. 7-5-5 60 59 19.8% 83.9% 14 TAMPA Stanley Cup BAY hangover LIGHTNING explains : Perhaps the slow a 257 2148 349 2159start, but it’s clear the Lightning miss the “Bulin Wall.” Martin St. Louis has yet to return to his Hart Trophy-winning form of 2003-04.

7-7-2 48 46 13.0% 86.7%

15Sebastien ANAHEIM Giguere MIGHTY and Scott DUCKS Niedermay : Jean- – er are playing very well; when Sergei Fedorov returns, look for the Ducks to surge. Defenseman Vitali Vishnevski has already delivered a movie’s worth of highlight reel hits.

7-6-3 47 46 17.4% 81.5%

16Flyers YORK atop the RANGERS Atlantic, Tom : Tied Renney with the ‘s hardworking squad has exceeded all reasonable expectations. The Blueshirts will need to get production from players not named Jagr if they’re to make a long-overdue return to the playoffs.

9-5-3 54 43 18.4% 88.1%

17 CALGARY has returned FLAMES to form in Miikka recent Kiprusoff weeks, and rookie blueliner Dion Phaneuf is emerging as a Calder candidate. Jarome Iginla remains one of the NHL’s best forwards.

8-7-2 39 44 12.6% 78.5%

18Evgeni SAN JOSE Nabokov SHARKS between The the return pipes of should bolster Ron Wilson’s squad. Patrick Marleau, one of the league’s best young forwards, has stepped up his game yet again.

8-7-1 45 54 13.0% 82.1%

19duction NEW YORK from Alexei ISLANDERS Yashin, Miroslav Strong pro Sa – – tan, and Alexei Zhitnik has been a plus, but the Isles will need more from Rick DiPietro and Janne Niinimaa if they’re to reach the playoffs for a fourth straight season.

7-8-0 43 56 14.4% 79.8%

20the BUFFALO best he SABRES can with what Lindy is Ruff unquestion is doing – ably the most inexperienced team in the division. The Sabres will compete every night, but they’ll still finish in the Northeast cellar.

7-8-0 47 53 21.4% 80.0%

21 PHOENIX team hasn’ COYOTES t gotten off Wayne to a great Gretzky start ‘s , and he’s going to need to get more out of this talented lineup if the ‘Yotes are to make good on their considerable promise.

8-8-2 49 47 19.1% 80.8%

22 EDMONTON Chris Pronger OILERS and Michael The arrivals Peca of haven’t had the desired impact – yet. Ales Hemsky and Raffi Torres are both finally emerging as top-tier wingers, but the Oilers need more depth at center.

8-8-1 51 53 17.5% 81.4%

23 FLORIDA go carried PANTHERS the Panthers : Roberto through Luon the – season’s first few games, but the team needs to improve its special teams play in order to compete.

6-7-3 36 45 13.2% 80.0%

24awakening PITTSBURGH from an PENGUINS ugly start, the Finally Penguins should have one of the league’s best power plays when all is said and done. Their best goalie – Marc-Andre Fleury – is mired in the minors.

4-7-5 51 70 19.6% 76.3%

25goaltenders ATLANTA THRASHERS on injured reserve With , coach three Bob Hartley is flummoxed. Until goalie Kari Lehtonen returns, they will continue to struggle mightily.

5-9-1 47 56 21.3% 76.6%

26Patrik JERSEY Elias, Niedermayer DEVILS The losses , Scott of Stevens, and Martin Brodeur have proven to be too much for the Devils handle. It will be interesting to see whether they can rebound when Brodeur and Elias finally return.

6-7-2 44 55 19.0% 83.9%

27 COLUMBUS Rick Nash for another BLUE JACKETS 4-6 weeks Losing could be a crippling blow for the Blue Jackets, who were expecting to reach the playoffs for the very first time in 2005-06.

5-11-0 31 51 10.1% 84.0%

28 CHICAGO Khabibulin BLACKHAWKS probably wishes Nikolai he’d stayed in Tampa. Unless Tuomo Ruutu returns soon from his back injury, the Hawks are in serious trouble.

5-10-0 41 62 14.5% 78.0%

29Pronger . LOUIS and BLUES Pavol The Demitra losses have of proven to be enormous, while blue line newcomer Eric Brewer hasn’t acclimated yet. Their 25-year streak of reaching the playoffs is in serious jeopardy.

2-10-3 41 65 15.5% 79.5%

30guins WASHINGTON ‘ Sidney Crosby CAPITALS gets all the The press Pen- , but the Caps’ Alexander Ovechkin is the NHL’s most exciting rookie to watch.

6-9-0 38 66 12.5% 78.0%

Mr. Greenstein, the editor in chief ofInsideHockey.com, will rank the NHL’s best and worst each week in the New York Sun.