Buffalo’s Surprising Edge: What Early NHL Weekend Rankings Reveal—and What They Conceal
It’s funny how time flies when you’re knee-deep in power rankings year after year. Here we are, eight full seasons strong at The Athletic—and believe me, this column has bounced around a bit before landing here. Eight years might sound like a long stretch, but think back to our first outing in 2018. Remember the San Jose Sharks at the top of the Stanley Cup contenders? Back then, the buzz was all about Erik Karlsson’s blockbuster trade, and, boy, did we all buy into the hype. Fast forward to today, and while much has changed on the ice, the core mission remains—it’s not about who’s hot this week or who’d win a head-to-head shootout tomorrow. No, we’re playing the long game, reading tea leaves and crystal balls to figure out who’s gearing up for a true Cup chase and who’s spinning their wheels at the bottom of the league. Sure, it can be a bitter pill to swallow when your favorite team manages a few wins but doesn’t soar up the rankings overnight. If you need to vent, head over to the comments—there’s always a healthy dose of good-natured ribbing waiting for you there. After all, this is just the beginning of the season; not much has shifted the needle yet. Last year’s early calls handed the Rangers a top-five spot, which, in hindsight, might have been a tad optimistic. Maybe we’ll be a step behind the curve on some teams, maybe not. That’s the thrill—and agony—of early rankings, where recency bias is both a friend and a foe. If you crave a more immediate snapshot, my colleagues Dom and Other Sean get you covered later in the week. As for me? I say read ’em both and enjoy watching how the story unfolds. Also—seriously—have you had any water today? Stay hydrated. With the pleasantries out of the way, let’s dive into a weekend in the
Post Comment