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NHL Power Rankings Heading Into Week 6 of 2016-17

By Matt Duscharme

Nov 13, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The New York Rangers celebrate a first period goal by Dan Girardi (5) against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The New York Rangers celebrate a first period goal by Dan Girardi (5) against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Tom Gilbert (14) celebrates his goal with center Jordan Nolan (71) during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins in an overtime shootout 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Tom Gilbert (14) celebrates his goal with center Jordan Nolan (71) during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins in an overtime shootout 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous Ranking: 16 (-13)

Team Record: (6-6-0)

Player of the Week: F Jeff Carter (4gp 0g 2a 2pts)

Special Teams

PP: 6-for-55 (10.9 percent) (26th)
PK: 12-for-59 (79.7 percent) (T-23rd)

Let’s start off with perhaps the only positive over the past seven days. Star forward Marian Gaborik, who has been sidelined since the offseason, is now skating and should be set to return in the near future. That should give the Kings a massive offensive boost, maybe even give them a chance to compete for a Pacific Division title – that might be wishful thinking though.

This inconsistency out of the Kings has made them one of biggest movers and shakers on a weekly basis in 2016-17. It’s more of the same heading into week six after LA dropped all four games over the last seven days. They only managed to pick up a single point in their shootout loss and struggled to score goals. Then again, it probably didn’t help that captain Anze Kopitar has been sidelined for the last two games.

The biggest problem right now is that Los Angeles can’t score goals. When the objective is to outscore your opponent, that tends to pose an issue. The numbers are shockingly disappointing thus far. Tanner Pearson leads the team with six goals in 15 games. Jeff Carter sits second with five in 17 contests. Tyler Toffoli is third with four goals in 17 games. Then, Dustin Brown ranks fourth with three. After that, Anze Kopitar, Devin Setoguchi, Drew Doughty (D), Trevor Lewis, Alec Martinez (D), Dwight King, Brayden McNabb (D), and Nick Dowd all sit tied with a pair of goals. Tom Gilbert (D), Matt Greene (D), and Jake Muzzin (D) have one goal. Leaving just Jordan Nolan (seven games), Teddy Purcell (nine games), Derek Forbort (D) (17 games), Andy Andreoff (IR) (nine games), Nick Shore (16 games), and Kevin Gravel (D) (seven games) without a goal in 2016-17. – Ryan Ritchie

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