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NHL Power Rankings Heading into Week 4 of 2016-17

By Ryan Ritchie

NHL Power Rankings: New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) celebrates with New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) and New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) after defeating the St. Louis Blues at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) celebrates with New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) and New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) after defeating the St. Louis Blues at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Penguins players Sidney Crosby (87), Chris Kunitz (14), Kris Letang and Justin Schultz (4) celebrate after a goal in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks during a NHL hockey match at Honda Center. The Penguins defeated the Ducks 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Penguins players Sidney Crosby (87), Chris Kunitz (14), Kris Letang and Justin Schultz (4) celebrate after a goal in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks during a NHL hockey match at Honda Center. The Penguins defeated the Ducks 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous Ranking: 4 (+2)

Team Record: (4-2-1)

Player of the Week: F Evgeni Malkin (3gp 4g 1a 5pts)

Special Teams

PP: 10-for-37 (27.0 percent) (3rd)
PK: 9-for-41 (78.0 percent) (21st)

Goaltending

Marc-Andre Fleury started the first two games of the past week collecting wins in both contests. He stopped 35 of 37 shots against the Isles, then two nights later earned the victory despite allowing four goals on 42 shots. Still, it’s worth noting that Fleury has played extremely well in 2016-17, which could make an eventual trade a little easier.

Matt Murray finally made his season debut after starting the year on the shelf. He got the nod in Anaheim and looked great allowing just a single goal on 33 shots for a win. it should be interesting to see how the Pens handle their goaltending moving forward now that Mike Condon is out of the mix.

Defense

The Pens got a much-needed boost on Tuesday night in Anaheim. After leaning a little more on their forwards for the previous five games, Pittsburgh got Kris Letang back in the lineup. He recorded a goal, an assist, +3 rating, and six shots on goal. There aren’t many guys on the back end that can create the type of offense that Letang can. You could probably make a case for the Pens struggling more without their star defender than when one of Crosby or Malkin is out.

Forwards

All three of Pittsburgh’s star forwards (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel) had five or more points over the three games this past week. Phil the Thrill had a goal and five assists as he continues to show off his playmaking abilities in Pittsburgh. Sid had three goals, two assists, including a two-goal game against interstate rival Philadelphia. POW winner Evgeni Malkin scored four goals, one assist, including two goals against the Flyers as well (one was the game-winner). Even Patric Hornqvist had four points, bringing his season total up to nine points in 10 games. The other three are either matched/or exceeding a point-per-game pace early on.

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