LA Kings: West Division power rankings after Week Seven

The LA Kings’ recent winning ways came to an end at the hands of the surging Minnesota Wild over the weekend.

Hey, LA Kings fans: Are you sick of the Minnesota Wild yet?

Because no one’s blaming you if you are. The Kings have played seven of their first 20 games this season against the Wild. Whether it’s been an overtime goal, a buzzer-beater, or, in Saturday’s case, an overtime buzzer-beater, a lot of those games have ended in heartbreaking fashion for LA.

If you are sick of the Wild, don’t worry. The Kings will only play them one more time this season, and it’s not until April 23rd at Staples Center. Minnesota is starting to look like it might be a serious contender in the West, and it will be interesting to see if things still look that way when LA sees them next.

Here’s how the Kings, Wild, and everyone else in the West Division stack up through seven weeks.

1. Vegas Golden Knights (12-4-1)

Last week: 2

The Vegas Golden Knights won both games they played last week. That included their most recent clash with the Colorado Avalanche, a 3-0 win last Monday, as they retook the top spot in the division standings as well as in our power rankings. The resiliency of 36-year-old goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is impressive. After it looked like he was losing his starting job in Vegas last year, he’s reclaimed it in a big way this year, posting a .941 save percentage through 12 starts.

Next four games: VS Minnesota (2), @ (2)

2. Colorado Avalanche (11-6-1)

Last week: 1

The Avalanche get bounced from the top spot after getting outscored 9-2 over a pair of home losses to the Golden Knights and Wild last week. They did bounce back with a pair of wins in Arizona over the weekend, and the good news for the Avs is their upcoming schedule looks like it’s set up pretty well for them to go on a good run.

Next four games: @ (2), VS (2)

3. Minnesota Wild (12-6-0)

Last week: 4

Apparently, the Minnesota Wild took exception when I said in last week’s rankings that they looked like a middle-of-the-pack team again this year. They’ve now won six straight games after Matt Dumba’s overtime buzzer-beater against the Kings on Saturday and are challenging for the top spot in the West. They’ll have a chance to make a real statement this week with a pair of games in Vegas.

Next four games: @ Vegas (2), @ Arizona (2)

4. St. Louis Blues (11-8-2)

Last week: 3

The St. Louis Blues’ home struggles continue. They managed just one goal in dropping a pair of games to the Kings at Enterprise Center, dropping their home record to 4-6-2. However, their offense woke up in a wild 7-6 win over the Sharks on Saturday.

Next four games: @ (2), @ (2)

5. LA Kings (9-7-4)

Last week: 5

The LA Kings’ winning streak was snapped at six games in Minnesota. After a 3-1 loss to the Wild on Friday, they erased a 3-0 deficit in Saturday’s rematch to get a point but lost on Dumba’s buzzer-beater. The Kings and Wild have split four regulation games this year, but Minnesota has won all three overtime contests between the clubs.

Adrian Kempe had a goal and an assist on Saturday, getting a fortunate break on a one-timer that he didn’t get all of for his first goal in nine games. It may not have been one for his highlight reel, but the Kings will still hope it can get him going.

Next four games: Arizona, St. Louis (2), @

6. Arizona Coyotes (9-9-3)

Last week: 6

It was a disappointing nine-game homestand for the Arizona Coyotes. They went 3-4-2 and ended it with a 6-2 loss to the Avalanche on Saturday. They’re going to have to find a way to pick things up on the now, where they’ll play eight of their next 10 games after having played 15 of 21 at home so far.

Next four games: @ , VS Minnesota (2), @ Colorado

7. Sharks (7-9-2)

Last week: 7

Goaltending continues to be a serious issue for the Sharks, who allowed 13 goals in just two games last week. Their upcoming schedule isn’t very forgiving, either.

Next four games: Colorado (2), Vegas (2)

8. Ducks (6-10-5)

Another winless week for the Ducks, who’ve now dropped six games in a row. At least Ducks fans have Trevor Zegras to watch now. The World Juniors MVP hasn’t recorded a point yet through three games but did show off his skill with this slick shootout goal.

Next four games: St. Louis (2), @ Colorado (2)