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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: Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) celebrates the win after the game against the Dallas Stars at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild beat the Dallas Stars 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) celebrates the win after the game against the Dallas Stars at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild beat the Dallas Stars 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous Ranking: 9 (+3)

Team Record: (6-3-1)

Player of the Week: G Devan Dubnyk (2 wins 0.67GAA .978 save percentage)

Special Teams

PP: 5-for-31 (16.1 percent) (18th)
PK: 1-for-27 (96.3 percent) (1st)

Goaltending

Dubnyk’s three-game shutout streak began last Tuesday and wasn’t broken until seven days later against Buffalo. He stopped 38 shots for the SO in Buffalo on Thursday and stopped all 29 shots two nights later versus Dallas. Buffalo had no plans of being shutout once again on Tuesday and managed two goals on 24 shots to knock off a hot Wild team.

Defense

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Minnesota was dealt a tough blow as it was announced that Marco Scandella is considered week-to-week with a lower body injury. It should open up a spot for Christian Folin and Mike Rielly to assume additional minutes.

Turning to performers, hats off to Ryan Suter. He had another good week with three assists bringing his season total up to 10 points in 10 games. Ryan is also a +5 plus/minus rating proving why he’s still one of the better all-around defenders in the NHL. Heck, at this point, Suter is vying for Norris Trophy consideration – whether or not the consistency continues, we’ll have to wait and see.

Forwards

Again, the Wild were dealt another tough loss after learning that star forward Zach Parise is also considered week-to-week with a lower body injury. The injuries didn’t stop there. Zal Dalpe is expected to be out multiple weeks with a lower body injury, while Erik Haula is still at least a few days away from returning. Perhaps opportunity knocks for guys like Joel Eriksson Ek and Tyler Graovac to have an impact in his absence.

Two forwards led the charge offensively over the last seven days. Eric Staal recorded a point in each game and has only been left off the score sheet in three of 10 games this season. Poised to bounce back from a rough 2015-16 campaign, the former Canes captain now has four goals, four assists (eight points). Mikael Granlund also had three points and now has five points in his last five games as he starts to heat up. He’s starting to find more ways to be creative on the wing opposed to playing up the middle, which could yield a solid year once the dust settles.

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