NHL Power Rankings and do you still care about outdoor games?

Welcome to the week.

Happy Monday and welcome to a new week in the NHL. Here is what is ahead.

• The newest edition of my NHL Power Rankings!

• Mandatory neck protection

• Do you still care about outdoor games?

NHL Power Rankings

1. Vegas Golden Knights. They entered the week unbeaten in regulation and looking like a force once again. An incredibly deep team that is clicking on all cylinders already.

2. Boston Bruins. I respect the start after all of the talent they have lost. But they have also only played one team that made the playoffs a year ago. Credit to beating the teams they should. But I am still side eyeing this team long-term this season.

3. New York Rangers. Under Gerard Gallant the Rangers had good results and a bad process. In the first two weeks under Pete Laviolette they had good results AND a good process. But over the past few games those underlying numbers have started to revert back to what we have seen in the past. Small blip on the radar? Or point of concern?

4. Colorado Avalanche. Strong start and there is still definitely another level for them to reach when Nathan MacKinnon and co. really start to get rolling.

5. Dallas Stars. Joe Pavelski remains an ageless wonder. He never slows down offensively. One of most underrated players of this era.

6. Toronto Maple Leafs. The big four of William Nylander, Auston Matthews, John Tavares and Mitch Marner are absolutely cooking to start this season. I would, however, be concerned about Ilya Samsonov’s start in goal if I was them.

7. New Jersey Devils. Jack Hughes is playing like an MVP, but Tyler Toffoli is already looking like a steal of an offseason pickup. What a perfect fit.

8. Los Angeles Kings. Their goalies might be a question mark, but they have been absolutely superb in front of them this season defensively.

9. Vancouver Canucks. They needed a big year from starting goalie Thatcher Demko. He is delivering so far.

10. Detroit Red Wings. I still feel like these early results are happening with some smoke and mirrors given the underlying numbers, but you also can not argue with how good Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat have been.