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NHL Power Rankings 2011: Red Wings Remain In Top 5

The Detroit Red Wings are off to a solid start. We take a look at how they fare in the NHL power rankings.

By Bill Hanstock
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 25: Ty Conklin #29 of the Detroit Red Wings makes the save during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on October 25, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 25: Ty Conklin #29 of the Detroit Red Wings makes the save during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on October 25, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
Getty Images

It's early in the season, of course, but the Detroit Red Wings are off to a solid start in a fiercely competitive division. Let's take a look at some power rankings and see where they stand at this point.

ESPN has the Wings listed at number two overall, just behind the Washington Capitals and ahead of the Los Angeles Kings. Detroit has dropped another game since these rankings were written, but as ESPN points out, even in their first loss of the season, a 7-1 blowout, they played better than the score indicated.

Over at FOX Sports on MSN, the Red Wings have dropped two slots to number four overall following their second loss. This puts them behind the Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins and directly behind the Chicago Blackhawks, who the Wings are also chasing in the Central Division. FOX thinks that Detroit won't have trouble rebounding, and we tend to agree.

Lastly, The Hockey News also slots the Wings in at second place behind the Capitals, and says there's lots to like about this team. Certainly it seems like there's a tremendous upside so far in this young season, so it will be interesting to see how the NHL continues to shape up in 2011-2012.

As always, your SB Nation home for discussing all things Red Wings is Winging It In Motown.