All-Blogs.net directory Light the Lamp - a Columbus Blue Jackets blog: Week 2 Power Rankings and Peca expected to make Columbus debut tomorrow

Countdown to Rick Nash's contract expiration:

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Week 2 Power Rankings and Peca expected to make Columbus debut tomorrow

Here are some updated power rankings for you this evening:

SI.com - not much movement for the Jackets as they are still ranked dead last at 30:
Maybe a full campaign under Ken Hitchcock is just what this team needs. After finishing 26th on the power play last season, the Jackets may have figured things out -- through two games -- with four PP scores, good for fifth in the NHL. If you're wondering, the PK has been perfect (11-for-11).

CBSSports.com - Jackets don't fare much better here coming in at #29:
Good signs early in Columbus; Rick Nash has scored a pair of goals and assists to go along with 11 shots in his first two games.

FoxSports.com - Whoa, Jackets all the way up to 11 in this ranking:
(.500) Solid goaltending in Week 1 allowed the Blue Jackets to finish high in the rankings, as Columbus only surrendered three goals in the two games it played. Pascal Leclaire recorded the team's only win, shutting out the defending Stanley Cup champs, the Anaheim Ducks, 4-0 on Friday night.

ESPN.com - Jackets check in at 28 here (note to ESPN, we've got a new logo and no it wasn't a fluke!):
Was that 4-0 win over the defending Cup champs a fluke?

CBC.ca - Jackets up to 24 here as those Canandian writers actually watch these teams instead of basing opinions off the past:
Fedorov and Zherdev showing signs of life.

Dispatch.com - Finally our good friends over at the Dispatch.com take a shot at rankings this week in their blog, Jackets check in at #23:
Decent start, but let's see if they can maintain.

So there you have it. Despite some teams going 0-2 the Jackets still remain at or very near the basement in a couple of these rankings. Its a long road to gain respect and I firmly believe the Jackets are up to the challenge for the first time this season.

Also on the Dispatch's blog Portzline says that Michael Peca, the UFA center signed late this offseason by the Jackets, looks ready to go.

Portzline loves Peca's hitting ability but I'm personally more interested in his face and two-way play making ability. He's been lined up between Fritsche and Brule who both play similar styles to Peca and if that line holds til tomorrow's game it should certainly be an interesting one to watch. Peca the responsible two way cagey veteran between two young and energetic forwards still looking for their first points of the preseason.

-LTL

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