Kings Power Play Climbs to 14th in NHL
Los Angeles' power play has improved as the team prepares to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Hockey
The Kings' power play rose from 26th to 14th in the NHL, going 6 for 16 over their last three games. Los Angeles is 5-7-2 with 12 points, while Pittsburgh enters Saturday's matchup at 5-9-2 with two wins in its past 10 games.
Why it matters
The power-play rise gives the Kings a tangible improvement in a stretch where special teams can decide close games. For the Penguins, a 41-29 goal count over 10 games highlights the difficulty of climbing back in the Metropolitan Division.
The Kings' power play went 6 for 16 across their last three games and now ranks 14th of 32 NHL teams, up from 26th. Over the same run, the Penguins recorded two wins and a 41-29 goal count in their past 10 games.
The players
Ray Whitney
Ray Whitney is a former NHL forward who played over two decades and logged 1,330 games before becoming an assistant coach.
Adrian Kempe
Adrian Kempe is a Kings forward who recorded a hat trick and two power-play points in a 7-2 win over San Jose.
The details
Ray Whitney, in his first season as an NHL assistant coach, is credited with the Kings' power-play turnaround. Adrian Kempe recorded a hat trick and two power-play points in a 7-2 Kings win over San Jose on Wednesday.
Timeline
Oct. 29 to Nov. 4: The Kings tied for the fourth-best power-play conversion rate in the league.
Wednesday: The Kings beat San Jose 7-2 behind Adrian Kempe's hat trick.
Saturday: The Penguins visit the Kings in Los Angeles.
Season Trajectory
The Kings' power-play climb comes after two years in which the unit ranked 29th cumulatively under assistant coach Newell Brown. Los Angeles and Pittsburgh are both hovering around .500 with 12 points, so special-teams gains can shift their position in the standings.
Fantasy managers tracking Kings power-play production should note Adrian Kempe's recent scoring surge. Penguins followers can track whether Pittsburgh's two recent wins signal a turnaround in its divisional standing.
The takeaway
Special-teams improvement can narrow the gap between evenly matched teams, so a short stretch of efficient power-play play often reveals where a season is heading. Watching whether the Kings sustain their conversion rate will show whether the change is lasting.
Further reading
Follow more Kings and NHL coverage for the latest on Los Angeles' special teams.
