Devils get their due: No. 1

Biggest climb: Atlanta Thrashers (9 from 19)

Biggest drop: Colorado Avalanche (12 from 4)

A reminder: These rankings are based on many factors, and not one of them is scientific in nature. They're heavily influenced by recent play, taking into account expectations versus achievement, quality of opponents, injuries, hot or cold streaks, lucky bounces, bad breaks and my uncannily intuitive gut calls on how each team stacks up against the rest of the Original 30. Please note that I, unlike most referees, do not have it in for your team. Also, statistics and records noted are through Sunday, so Monday night's action isn't part of the equation.

Want to send me a comment about the rankings? Scroll to the bottom of this page for my Mailbag. I read 'em all and if you're halfway civil -- or at least clever in your skewering of my decisions -- I'll try to get back to you.

NHL Power Rankings