NHL power rankings: Nov. 4

Tarik El-Bashir assesses the top teams in the National Hockey League this week (records through Nov. 3).

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1 (1 last week): Washington Capitals (8-2-0)

The Capitals retain the top spot after rebounding from back-to-back losses in Edmonton and Vancouver with a come-from-behind victory over Anaheim. Coach Bruce Boudreau benched Alex Ovechkin for a shift late against the Ducks. A new era of accountability in the District? The league is watching.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

2 (2): Pittsburgh Penguins (8-3-3)

The Penguins hit a bit of a rough patch with one-goal losses on the road to sizzling Toronto and San Jose (in the shootout). Every day that passes means Sidney Crosby is another day closer to returning to a lineup that's every bit as deep as Washington's and has managed to score 40 goals (third-best) despite the captain’s absence.

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP

3 (4): Dallas Stars (8-3-0)

In the Stars' only game since the last ranking, they defeated New Jersey, 3-1, to improve to 5-1-0 at home. The surprise of the season's first month, they're still getting superb goaltending from Kari Lehtonen, who has a league-leading eight wins to go along with a ridiculous .947 save percentage.

LM Otero / AP

4 (7): Chicago Blackhawks (8-2-2)

What's not to like about the way the 2010 Stanley Cup champions are playing? Led by Patrick Kane (12 points, plus-6), they've scored 36 goals in 12 games (fourth-best) and the penalty kill ranks third (91.9 percent effectiveness). Kane is also in the funniest commercial on television. "Peg-gy! Peg-gy!"

Joel Auerbach / Getty Images

5 (NR): Edmonton Oilers (8-2-2)

Since handing the Caps their first loss of the season, rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (five goals, six assists) and the (mostly) youthful Oil have defeated Colorado, St. Louis and Los Angeles to extend their NHL-best winning streak to six games. Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, 38, boasts a 0.98 goals against average and a .963 save percentage.

Bret Hartman / AP

6 (9): Toronto Maple Leafs (9-3-1)

Can't say we called this one. But can't deny the fact that Leafs might actually be good, either. Carried by Phil Kessel (10 goals, 11 assists), Joffrey Lupul (8 goals) and a resurgent Dion Phaneuf, they're scoring 3.38 goals per game. Yes, you read that correctly.

RAY STUBBLEBINE / Reuters

7 (10): Philadelphia Flyers (7-4-2)

Not quite sure what to make of Claude Giroux and the Flyers just yet. They’ll lose back-to-back games to scuffling Montreal and Winnipeg, then beat Carolina and Buffalo. What can't be denied is this: Giroux (eight goals, nine assists) and his teammates are filling up the nets (second-best 3.62 goals per game).

John Hickey / AP

8 (NR): San Jose Sharks (7-4-0)

Joe Pavelski and his teammates returned from a 5-1-0 road trip to continue their dominance over the NHL-leading Penguins at home Thursday. Their 4-3 shootout victory was their eighth in a row over Pittsburgh at the Shark Tank. Although Pavelski was shut out against the Pens, he has six goals in the past seven games.

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

9 (NR): Minnesota Wild (6-3-3)

Warning: This one might be a reach. But the Wild's modest three-game winning streak (Detroit twice, Vancouver) can't be completely discounted. Interestingly, goalie Josh Harding (league leading .964 save percentage) was in net in the three victories, not Niklas Backstrom.

ERIC MILLER / Reuters

10 (3): Los Angeles Kings (6-4-2)

Everyone's allowed to have a bad week, right? Anze Kopitar (6 goals, 8 assists) and the Kings went a woeful 0-2-1 since the last ranking. But goalie Jonathan Quick (1.66 goals against average) and solid team defense have them permitting a scant 2.00 goals per game, which is tied for second best league-wide. Five of their next six are at Staples Center, too.

Bret Hartman / AP

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