Lightning start on top of NHL Power Rankings The Tampa Bay Lightning start the season on top of the TSN.ca NHL Power Rankings, ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and defending-champion Chicago Blackhawks.

The Tampa Bay Lightning start the season on top of the TSN.ca NHL Power Rankings, ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and defending-champion Chicago Blackhawks.

While the Lightning didn't make many changes in the offseason, they bring back a team that took the Blackhawks to Game Six of the Stanley Cup Final. Improvement from second-year winger Jonathan Drouin might be all the Lightning need to get over the hump.

The Montreal Canadiens, at 12, are the top-ranked Canadian team, followed by the Winnipeg Jets (15) and Ottawa Senators (18). A couple of Canadian playoff teams from last season start lower in the rankings: the Calgary Flames, at 19, and Vancouver Canucks, at 20. The Edmonton Oilers (25) and Toronto Maple Leafs (28) round out the Canadian contingent.

Some non-playoff teams that are ranked higher this season include the Dallas Stars, opening at five (!), the Los Angeles Kings, at 10, and San Jose Sharks, at 14.