This is the fifth edition of theScore's 2018-19 NHL Power Rankings, which will be published every two weeks during the regular season. It was compiled by editors Craig Hagerman and Cory Wilkins.

1. Buffalo Sabres (16-6-2) ▲

Don't look now, but the Sabres are in first place in the NHL. It might be hard to process, but there's no denying that the club has been playing lights out as of late. Carter Hutton has been a rock, meanwhile, Jeff Skinner trails only Patrik Laine with 18 goals on the year. - Hagerman

Previously: 10th

2. Tampa Bay Lightning (17-6-1)

The Lightning continue to roll despite losing Andrei Vasilevskiy for the foreseeable future. Louis Domingue has been able to hold down the fort, and after a slightly slow start, Nikita Kucherov is hitting his stride with 14 points in his last six games. - Hagerman

Previously: 2nd

3. Nashville Predators (17-6-1) ▼

The Predators have had a tough two-week stretch, but they still managed to top the Lightning and sit tied for top spot in the NHL. All of the success comes despite P.K. Subban and Viktor Arvidsson being sidelined with injuries. Pekka Rinne is also looking like he could repeat as the Vezina Trophy winner. - Hagerman

Previously: 1st

4. Toronto Maple Leafs (16-8-0)

The Maple Leafs hit a minor blip with back-to-back losses against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes but struck back with a commanding win over the Philadelphia Flyers. They recently swept their California road trip and when/if they get Auston Matthews and William Nylander back, they'll be a real force. - Hagerman

Previously: 4th

5. Washington Capitals (13-7-3) ▲

The Capitals have been dealt a bad hand with injuries to T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov but are piling up wins regardless. The club has rattled off five straight victories and, hate him or not, Tom Wilson has been a force since returning from suspension. - Hagerman

Previously: 16th

6. Colorado Avalanche (13-6-4) ▲

Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon can't be stopped - they sit first and second in league scoring, respectively. Alongside Gabriel Landeskog, the trio has combined for 99 points in 23 games. The club has rattled off four straight wins, with Rantanen and MacKinnon posting 18 points combined over that span. - Hagerman

Previously: 21st

7. Winnipeg Jets (13-7-2) ▼

Patrik Laine has scored a ridiculous 11 goals in his last five games, capped off by his five-goal onslaught against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. The Jets have played slightly over a .500 clip the last couple weeks, but remain in good shape in the West. - Hagerman

Previously: 6th

8. Columbus Blue Jackets (13-8-2) ▲

Next to Laine, the league's hottest goal-scorer is Cam Atkinson. The Blue Jackets forward has scored in seven straight games with nine goals total over that stretch. Meanwhile, the club trails the Metropolitan-leading Capitals by just a single point. - Hagerman

Previously: 14th

9. Calgary Flames (14-9-1) ▼

The Flames had two five-goal first periods this past week. Matthew Tkachuck has led the way of late with five goals and eight points in his last six games. David Rittich, on the other hand, looks to be making a case for the club's starter role. - Hagerman

Previously: 5th

10. Boston Bruins (13-6-4) ▼

Injuries, injuries, and more injuries have plagued the Bruins of late. Patrice Bergeron is the latest to hit the IR and will be out roughly a month. Still, the club has gone 3-0-1 in its last four games and remains in the hunt for top spot in the Atlantic Division. - Hagerman

Previously: 7th

11. Minnesota Wild (14-7-2) ▼

The Wild have gone 3-3-0 in their last six games, and Matt Dumba has been a stud posting nine points over that span. Devan Dubnyk, on the other hand, is in the midst of a minor slide, having posted a 3.63 goals-against average and a .878 save percentage in four games. Nevertheless, the club sits second in the Central. - Hagerman

Previously: 3rd

12. New York Rangers (12-10-2) ▲

Although the Rangers have lost two straight games, the team has still had a mighty November going 8-3-1. Henrik Lundqvist has been strong in goal, while sophomore defenseman Neal Pionk is quickly making a name for himself. - Hagerman

Previously: 13th

13. New York Islanders (12-8-2) ▲

The Islanders' offense has been working overdrive the last couple weeks. The team has gone 4-2-0, scoring four or more goals in each of the victories. The downside is that, in those six games, the team has an even goal differential. - Hagerman

Previously: 25th

14. Vegas Golden Knights (12-12-1) ▲

The Golden Knights are finally starting to look like the club that reached the Stanley Cup Final last season. The team has gone 5-2-0 in their last seven games, Marc-Andre Fleury has posted back-to-back shutouts, Max Pacioretty has suddenly posted six goals in five games, and Nate Schmidt's return has provided a huge boost to their back end. - Hagerman

Previously: 27th

15. Carolina Hurricanes (11-9-3)▲

The Hurricanes remain the Corsi leaders of the NHL. The club had a strong two weeks going 4-2-0, including a 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs. Between the pipes, Curtis McElhinney looks to, at least momentarily, be taking over. The netminder has gone 3-0-0 with a .960 save percentage and a 1.33 goals-against average this past week. - Hagerman

Previously: 19th

16. Anaheim Ducks (10-10-5) ▲

The Ducks struggle to score - only the Coyotes and Kings have fewer goals - but have managed to stay in the thick of things in the woeful Pacific. John Gibson is unquestionably the team's MVP, but accolades are also due to captain Ryan Getzlaf, who is heating up offensively. - Wilkins

Previously: 28th

17. San Jose Sharks (12-8-4) ▼

After a slow start to the season, big-ticket addition Erik Karlsson is showing signs of life after picking up eight points in his last six outings. There's also Aaron Dell, who pieced together back-to-back shutouts, temporarily stealing the net from starter Martin Jones before getting lit up by the Golden Knights. - Wilkins

Previously: 15th

18. Dallas Stars (12-10-2) ▼

It's been a lukewarm month for the Stars, as the team has been able to find the win column but hasn't strung together more than two consecutive victories through November. Backup netminder Anton Khudobin has struggled in fill-in duty with starter Ben Bishop on the shelf. - Wilkins

Previously: 12th

19. Detroit Red Wings (10-10-3) ▲

After winning just one of their first 10 games, the Red Wings have climbed to .500 led by young talents Dylan Larkin and Andreas Athanasiou. Starter Jimmy Howard has also had a strong season. The pending free agent could be an intriguing chip come the trade deadline. - Wilkins

Previously: 22nd

20. Montreal Canadiens (11-8-5) ▼

The thinking was, for the Canadiens to have a chance this season, it'd be up to Carey Price. Quite the opposite has happened, as the star netminder has struggled, while the team's historically anemic offense is scoring in spades thanks in part to new faces like Max Domi and Tomas Tatar. - Wilkins

Previously: 9th

21. New Jersey Devils (9-10-3) ▲

Keith Kinkaid was only supposed to hold down the fort in the absence of Cory Schneider. However, the starter has struggled mightily, as he's winless in six games since returning from offseason hip surgery. The Devils also need more from last year's standouts Will Butcher and Miles Wood. - Wilkins

Previously: 29th

22. Pittsburgh Penguins (9-8-5) ▼

General manager Jim Rutherford has mentioned that drastic changes will come if things don't improve, but since making those claims, the Penguins have responded. Tanner Pearson looks like a savvy addition with four points in six games since his arrival. - Wilkins

Previously: 17th

23. Chicago Blackhawks (9-10-5) ▲

The post-Joel Quenneville era is underway, as new bench boss Jeremy Colliton has guided his team to a 3-4-2 showing since coming aboard. The most impressive turnaround since the change may be from forward Brandon Saad, who has picked up five points in his last five appearances. - Wilkins

Previously: 30th

24. Edmonton Oilers (10-11-2) ▼

It's now up to Ken Hitchcock, the Oilers' eighth coach in the last nine years, to right the ship in Edmonton. While the early results have been a mixed bag, the 66-year-old brings structure, a winning record, and a veteran voice that could help heal what ails much of the Oilers. - Wilkins

Previously: 20th

25. Philadelphia Flyers (10-11-2) ▼

The Flyers' goaltending situation is almost unimaginable. Michal Neuvirth is already injured, Brian Elliott is out with a lower-body ailment, and an illness to Alex Lyon has the team reaching deep into its depth chart. However, the team got some good news on the injury front when James van Riemsdyk made his season debut earlier this month. - Wilkins

Previously: 11th

26. Florida Panthers (8-9-4) ▼

Roberto Luongo's health has to be of concern to the Panthers. The 39-year-old was back in the lineup for just eight games before another freak injury removed him from the crease. An even bigger concern is backup James Reimer's inability to produce in his absence. - Wilkins

Previously: 23rd

27. Arizona Coyotes (9-11-2) ▼

You can't win if you can't score, and that's been the story far too often this season for Arizona. The Coyotes have scored more than one goal just twice over their last six games, and they'll be banking on Nick Schmaltz adding some offense after parting ways with Brendan Perlini and Dylan Strome. - Wilkins

Previously: 26th

28. Ottawa Senators (9-11-3) ▼

Matt Duchene is on fire with 17 points in his last nine outings and is on pace to smash his career high by more than 30 points. If he can keep it up, and if the Senators can get his signature on an extension, moving their first-rounder for the 27-year-old may not look so bad after all. - Wilkins

Previously: 24th

29. Vancouver Canucks (11-13-2) ▼

A strong start to the season looks like a mirage after the Canucks went winless in eight straight before coming up with a victory against the hapless Kings. The good news is rookie sensation Elias Pettersson has given Vancouver fans a reason to tune in with three more goals in his last five games. - Wilkins

Previously: 8th

30. St. Louis Blues (8-11-3) ▼

A coaching change has seemingly done little to spark the struggling Blues, as the club has won just once since dismissing Mike Yeo. Many players have failed to live up to expectations after the team's summer makeover, but Ryan O'Reilly, with five points in his past six, isn't one of them. - Wilkins

Previously: 18th

31. Los Angeles Kings (8-14-1)

Evidently, the problem wasn't behind the bench, as the Kings haven't seen any improvement since swapping out John Stevens for Willie Desjardins. The club owns just three wins in nine games since the coaching change. Of course, the injury bug picking apart the Kings' crease isn't helping matters. - Wilkins

Previously: 31st

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

During the regular season, theScore's NHL Power Rankings will be published every two weeks. This latest edition is the first of the regular season. It was compiled by editors Craig Hagerman and Cory Wilkins.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs (5-1-0)

The Maple Leafs offense is firing on all cylinders. Auston Matthews has been a man possessed scoring in all six of the club's games so far and has already hit double-digit goals. Morgan Rielly, meanwhile, sits just behind Matthews in the NHL scoring race with 13 points of his own. If they can tighten things up a little more in the opposite end of the ice - as they did on Saturday night - the Maple Leafs could really make some noise. - Hagerman

2. Carolina Hurricanes (4-1-1)

The Hurricanes seem to be having the most fun league-wide and after getting off to a quick start, it's easy to understand why. They're averaging an outrageous 42.3 shots per game and only 25 against. Factor in that only four players on their roster haven't recorded a point and it seems head coach Rod Brind'Amour has the entire team buying into his system. - Hagerman

3. Boston Bruins (4-1-0)

After getting blown out 7-0 by the Capitals in their first game of the season, things looked hairy for the Bruins, but they've quickly turned things around. The club has since won four straight, outscoring the opposition 22-6. Their top line is once again driving the bus, having combined for 30 points in five games. - Hagerman

4. New Jersey Devils (3-0-0)

The Devils are perfect through three games and Kyle Palmieri is a big reason for that, having scored twice in all three games. The Devils hot start is highlighted by a 6-0 shelling of the Washington Capitals. They're allowing just 26 shots against per game and currently boast the best goal differential in the league at plus-10. - Hagerman

5. Nashville Predators (4-1-0)

The Predators have been perfect outside a 3-0 loss to the Calgary Flames. Their season to date is highlighted by a gutsy 3-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Pekka Rinne has followed up his Vezina Trophy win with a solid 1.67 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage through three games. - Hagerman

6. Dallas Stars (3-1-0)

The Stars are flying under a new system deployed by rookie head coach Jim Montgomery. The club continues to be held up by the line of Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and Alexander Radulov who've combined for 27 points in four games. Meanwhile, Ben Bishop has been great outside of a meeting against the Maple Leafs. - Hagerman

7. Chicago Blackhawks (3-0-2)

The Blackhawks have done a great job early of putting a down 2017-18 season in the rearview mirror. Chicago has gotten off to a 3-0-2 record led by captain Jonathan Toews, who has jumped out with five goals and nine points in five games. The team surely misses Corey Crawford, having given up 21 goals so far, but for the meantime, they appear to be outscoring their defensive woes. - Hagerman

8. Colorado Avalanche (3-1-1)

Nathan MacKinnon has followed up an MVP-caliber 2018 by tying a franchise record, scoring in five straight games to begin the season. Meanwhile, Mikko Rantanen has posted eight points of his own. Despite the solid forward play, Semyon Varlamov might be the Avs' biggest surprise, having given up just seven goals on 130 shots to begin the season. - Hagerman

9. Anaheim Ducks (4-1-1)

Through the first week and a half of the season, the Ducks find themselves atop the Pacific Division. The club has done so with Corey Perry out for five months and captain Ryan Getzlaf playing in just two of the first six games. John Gibson, on the other hand, has been a wall between the pipes. - Hagerman

10. Calgary Flames (3-2-0)

The Flames are getting contributions from their big forwards early on. Johnny Gaudreau, Mathew Tkachuk, Elias Lindholm, and Sean Monahan are all averaging more than a point per game through five contests. However, Calgary could benefit from stronger play by Mike Smith going forward. - Hagerman

11. Vancouver Canucks (3-2-0)

The Canucks are turning heads early into the season and they have rookie Elias Pettersson to thank for that. Vancouver has won three of its opening five games, with the rookie sensation picking up five goals and eight points. Once Brock Boeser starts heating up, the Canucks could cause problems for top teams. - Hagerman

12. Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1-0)

It's been tough for the Lightning to get going after enduring a stretch of just two games in seven days that featured a 4-1 loss to the Canucks. Luckily, they flexed their offensive muscles on Saturday with an 8-2 win over the Blue Jackets and looked poised to break out. - Hagerman

13. Montreal Canadiens (2-1-1)

The Canadiens have been making life difficult for some Eastern Conference juggernauts early this season. After forcing the Maple Leafs to overtime in the first game of the season, the Habs picked up four points in two games against the Penguins. Carey Price appears to be returning to form, which makes the idea of reaching the playoffs a little less far-fetched. - Hagerman

14. Washington Capitals (2-2-1)

The Capitals have looked both red hot and ice cold to begin the season. They were lights out in their 7-0 opening-night win over the Bruins. However, the club has now dropped two straight, including a 6-0 shutout loss to the Devils. But after winning the Cup this past spring, they're likely not too worried. - Hagerman

15. Buffalo Sabres (3-2-0)

The Sabres' active offseason, which featured drafting Rasmus Dahlin first overall, looks to be paying off. The club sits above the .500 mark, Jack Eichel and Conor Sheary have already picked up three goals apiece, and Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark have both looked solid between the pipes. Not bad for a team that finished 31st in the standings last year. - Hagerman

16. San Jose Sharks (2-3-1)

The Sharks haven't lived up to expectations in the early goings, particularly big-ticket addition Erik Karlsson, who's still finding his way with San Jose. Netminder Martin Jones has allowed at least three goals in three appearances and has just one win to show so far. Joe Thornton's eventual return from injury will help straighten out the Sharks. - Wilkins

17. Pittsburgh Penguins (2-1-1)

The early goings for the Penguins have been a mixed bag. The four games have featured two frustrating losses to the Canadiens, but also a barn burner against the Capitals and another win over the Golden Knights. An early season concussion scare to Matt Murray may not be as bad as originally feared, as he returned Saturday to back up Casey DeSmith. - Wilkins

18. Columbus Blue Jackets (3-2-0)

The Blue Jackets have had a strong start to the season, but tumbled down this list thanks to being on the wrong end of an 8-2 drumming by the Lightning. Still, the early returns have been promising, and the uncertain futures of top forward Artemi Panarin and star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky haven't seemed to have impacted their play. - Wilkins

19. Winnipeg Jets (3-2-0)

A Stanley Cup favorite, the Jets haven't found their offensive game through their first five contests, having scored more than two goals just twice. Patrik Laine and fellow winger Kyle Connor remain the only Winnipeg skaters with more than one tally. Handing the Hurricanes their first regulation loss of the season could be a sign that the Jets are rounding into form. - Wilkins

20. New York Islanders (2-2-0)

The Islanders have had a strong start to the season - when they're not playing the Predators, who've handed New York both of their losses. Mired by poor goaltending last season, new face Robin Lehner has been a revelation, owning a .937 save percentage across his two appearances this year. With five points in four games, a sophomore slump looks to have skipped Mathew Barzal. - Wilkins

21. Ottawa Senators (2-2-1)

The pick of many pundits to be the 2018-19 basement dweller, the Senators have been anything but through early October. The team's five games have been highlighted with plenty of offense, including a takedown of the high-flying Maple Leafs. Rookie defenseman Max Lajoie has impressed with six points to start the year. - Wilkins

22. Philadelphia Flyers (2-3-0)

It's not hockey season if the Flyers' goaltending isn't being called into question. Little time was wasted this year, as Brian Elliott allowed eight goals in Philly's home opener, while backup Michal Neuvirth is once again on the injured reserve. Still, credit to the Flyers for pulling off a rare feat - defeating the Golden Knights in Sin City, and in Vegas' home opener no less. - Wilkins

23. Los Angeles Kings (2-2-1)

It's 2016-17 all over again for the Kings, as an early-season injury to Jonathan Quick has Los Angeles turning to its backup. Fortunately, Quick's ailment isn't as severe as it was two seasons ago, while Jack Campbell has also performed admirably in his absence. Up front, Ilya Kovalchuk has picked up three points in five games, chipping away at the doubt that he could be productive in the NHL. - Wilkins

24. St. Louis Blues (1-2-2)

The good news is Ryan O'Reilly and familiar face David Perron have impressed in the early goings for the Blues. The bad news is netminder Jake Allen's inconsistencies appear to have carried over from last year. A pair of overtime losses to the Blackhawks should be considered lost opportunities. - Wilkins

25. Vegas Golden Knights (2-4-0)

It's not the start that Golden Knights fans saw last season, as netminder Marc-Andre Fleury has struggled, while the goals at the other end aren't coming as easily following the departures of forwards James Neal and David Perron. A long-term injury to center Paul Stastny would be devastating for Vegas. - Wilkins

26. Minnesota Wild (1-1-2)

Devan Dubnyk is the biggest reason why the Wild own a .500 record through four games. The netminder owns a sparkling .934 save rate on the season, having faced at least 30 shots in each appearance. The apex came with a 52-save effort in an overtime loss to the Hurricanes. The workload has only increased with three Minnesota games requiring extra time. - Wilkins

27. Edmonton Oilers (1-2-0)

Connor McDavid factoring into each of the Oilers' five goals this season speaks to the superstar's talent, but also highlights the lagging depth in Edmonton. The team's lack of secondary scoring is even more apparent with Ty Rattie, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Kailer Yamamoto unable to replicate their preseason production thus far. - Wilkins

28. Detroit Red Wings (0-3-2)

These aren't your father's Red Wings. The one-time perennial contender is winless through its first five appearances, while the upcoming slate doesn't get any easier. Still, the club hasn't been without positives, as youngsters Tyler Bertuzzi, Dennis Cholowski, and Filip Hronek have impressed. - Wilkins

29. New York Rangers (1-4-0)

The rebuilding Rangers weren't expected to contend, but one win through five games seems underwhelming for a lineup that still includes the likes of Mika Zibanejad, Mats Zuccarello, and future Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist. There's also Kevin Shattenkirk, but the veteran blue-liner has already been scratched by new bench boss David Quinn. - Wilkins

30. Florida Panthers (0-2-1)

One of two clubs yet to find the win column, times will only be tougher for the Panthers with starter Roberto Luongo on the shelf. The good news is that all three Florida games have been close, having been decided by one goal, including the season opener, which was ultimately decided in a shootout. - Wilkins

31. Arizona Coyotes (1-3-0)

With just two goals and zero even-strength tallies through four games, little has gone right for the Coyotes. Most surprising is the team's underlying numbers support success - Arizona is among the NHL's best in shots for, shots against, and goals against, but the results haven't followed. The team awaits Alex Galchenyuk and Christian Dvorak's return from injury. - Wilkins

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.