NHLN Power Rankings: Dec. 5, 2016

It’s time for your weekly dose of the NHL Numbers power rankings, a weekly look on the previous week in the NHL. I’ll look at the five best and worst NHL teams thus far in the season, as well as the three best and worst players in the last week.

Note: All use of Corsi For and Expected Goals For are Score and Venue Adjusted, and at even strength. All stats come from Corsica Hockey, and NHL.com (don’t worry, it’s only the standings).

5. Columbus Blue Jackets (Last Week: N/A)

(14-5-4 record, 51.57% CF%, 51.2% xGF%, 101.75 PDO)

Where are the critics of the Columbus Blue Jackets now? Oh wait, here they are.

4. Philadelphia Flyers (Last Week: N/A)

(14-10-3 record, 51.62% CF%, 47.47% xGF%, 98.61 PDO)

Now that their goaltending is slowly coming back to normal, the Flyers look like their old selves again, with some fresh new faces as well.

3. Edmonton Oilers (Last Week: N/A)

(14-10-3 record, 52.06% CF%, 49.74% xGF%, 100.46 PDO)

After a rough November, the Oilers are starting to pull themselves out of the gutter, and show that they’re still a good team.

2. San Jose Sharks (Last Week: N/A)

(15-9-1 record, 52.82% CF%, 53.19% xGF%, 99.91 PDO)

Another team starting to get it’s goaltending back, the Sharks are looking to take advantage of a weak Pacific division and take over.

1. St. Louis Blues (Last Week: 5)

(14-7-4 record, 52.85% CF%, 53.78% xGF%, 98.24 PDO)

The only team from last week’s list to remain, it’s mainly because all of the other team’s haven’t been as good, and haven’t been maintaining possession well. On the other hand, the Blues are performing very well.

5. Winnipeg Jets (Last Week: 4)

(13-13-2 record, 47.87% CF%, 48.99% xGF%, 99.4 PDO)

The Jets were slightly better this week, improving their possession and going 3-1-0, so they move up a spot.

4. Detroit Red Wings (Last Week: 3)

(12-11-3 record, 47.04% CF%, 47.15% xGF%, 101.06 PDO)

Like the Jets, the Wings also improved their possession, but only went 2-1-0. Regardless, they still move up a spot from last week.

3. Colorado Avalanche (Last Week: N/A)

(9-13-1 record, 46.24% CF%, 44.93% xGF%, 98.19 PDO)

The Avs quietly snuck into last place over the last week, so they find their way back onto the list. However, they still aren’t as bad as our two defending champs.

2. New York Islanders (Last Week: 2)

(9-10-5 record, 45.45% CF%, 46.04% xGF%, 100.76 PDO)

Same old Islanders. Terrible team, but in second only because they aren’t as bad as the Coyotes.

1. Arizona Coyotes (Last Week: 1)

(8-11-4 record, 44.2% CF%, 39.85% xGF%, 99.69 PDO)

They allowed 61 shots on Saturday. 61!

1. Kari Lehtonen (1-1-0, .952%, 1 SO)

Yes, you read that correctly, Kari Lehtonen actually did something good for once. Even the worst goalies go a week without allowing an even strength goal from time to time.

2. Austin Watson (1G-2A-3P in 3 GP, 51.14% CF%, 6.94 P60)

Watson had an excellent week, putting up three points in three games, all at even strength, while maintaining solid possession, and doing this in only 25:57 of 5v5 ice time.

3. Martin Jones (3-0-0, .962%)

Martin Jones was one-upped by only Lehtonen, as he allowed just one even strength goal this week.

1. Jonathan Bernier (0-1-0, .680%)

Bernier had his Al Montoya moment yesterday, allowing eight goals in an 8-3 loss to the Calgary Flames. Five of those eight goals came at 5v5, and never did Carlyle consider pulling him.

2 & 3. Bobby Ryan and Shawn Thornton (Combined CF% of 0%)

Despite only a combined 4:51 of ice time, neither Ryan or Thornton saw a shot attempt for this week. Neither of them had a point either, which when you think about it, is logical.