Hurricanes
Martin Necas | The elite scoring the Hurricanes had been in search of all these years was on their roster your complete time. Martin Necas has leveled up his sport this season, and the Canes now have a really elite ahead on the high of their lineup. Necas is tied with Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead in factors (35). He is additionally tenth in objectives (12) and third in assists (23). Fairly good firm. — 16-5-1
2

Jets
Connor Hellebuyck | The Jets have a human erasure between the pipes, and he offers them an opportunity to win each single time he begins. Living proof: Hellebuyck simply saved 3.71 objectives above common in Winnipeg’s 4-1 win over the Wild on Monday. That introduced him to 13.6 objectives saved above common, the very best mark within the NHL. — 18-4-0
3

Wild
Younger weapons | If you’re paying two gamers simply shy of $15 million to not play to your crew, you want younger gamers on team-friendly offers to step up. That is precisely what Minnesota has gotten this season. Marco Rossi and Brock Faber are each nonetheless on their entry-level contracts, they usually have turn out to be key components of this Wild lineup. Matt Boldy is now making $7 million per season, however even that appears like a cut price proper now. — 14-4-4
4

Devils
Particular groups | The Devils are a powerful crew at five-on-five, however what actually makes them harmful is their capacity to dominate on particular groups as properly. New Jersey ranks second with a 31.5% conversion charge on the ability play, and the penalty kill is sixth at 83.6%. Irrespective of the state of affairs, the Devils can merely overwhelm their opponents. 5 15-8-2
5

Capitals
Spencer Carbery | In the summertime of 2023, Spencer Carbery was maybe the most popular identify on the teaching market, and for good motive. Carbery has rapidly remodeled the Capitals from a mediocre squad right into a attainable Stanley Cup contender. It is no fluke both. Washington has a 51.8% five-on-five anticipated objectives share, and it has a plus-24 objective differential in these conditions. 1 15-6-1
6

Golden Knights
Targets | Scoring is a reasonably necessary facet of successful hockey video games, and the Golden Knights are excellent at it. Their 85 objectives are tied for second within the NHL, they usually’re getting contributions from up and down the lineup. 5 gamers have at the least eight objectives and two extra have six. It is robust to defend a crew that may do harm with all 4 strains. — 14-6-2
7

Maple Leafs
Residence ice | The environment at Scotiabank Enviornment has been the butt of jokes on “Hockey Twitter” in recent times, however nobody is laughing proper now. The Maple Leafs appear completely comfy in their very own barn, going 10-3-0 of their first 13 video games. That makes up for a middling 3-3-2 document on the street. 3 13-7-2
8

Stars
Depth scoring | The Dallas ahead group has a ridiculous quantity of expertise, and I am unsure any crew can match it. The Stars’ third line, consisting of Matt Duchene, Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment, has mixed for 26 objectives. That is good as a result of some gamers, like Wyatt Johnston, have but to actually warmth up. Simply think about what the Stars will appear to be when that does inevitably occur. — 13-7-0
9

Rangers
Goaltending | There are groups which have gone years and years with out secure goaltending. Ask Ottawa, or Philadelphia, or Detroit. The Rangers have not had that subject with Henrik Lundqvist turning over the crease to Igor Shesterkin. That is not unhealthy, however to make it much more unfair for the opposite 31 groups, Jonathan Fast has been distinctive in a backup function, saving 7.24 objectives above common. 4 12-8-1
10

Panthers
ROI | With a tough wage cap, groups have to verify they’re getting essentially the most out of each greenback they put into the lineup. Signing a participant to an eight-year, $69 million contract after a profession 12 months, just like the Panthers did with Sam Reinhart, could be a little dangerous. All Reinhart has accomplished up to now is make the case he is underpaid with 16 objectives and 31 factors in 22 video games. 3 13-9-1
11

Canucks
Resort beds | Generally it may be refreshing to get away and sleep in a comfortable resort mattress. Primarily based on their street efficiency, it looks like the Canucks agree with me. They’re 8-1-0 away from residence, they usually have a plus-14 objective differential in these video games. It is a good factor Vancouver enjoys time away as a result of it has gained simply three of its eight residence video games. 1 11-7-3
12

Lightning
Conviction | Letting a franchise legend stroll out the door in an try and hold your Stanley Cup window open? That takes some actual conviction, and it is what Julien BriseBois did final summer time. He allowed Steven Stamkos to depart in free company to signal Jake Guentzel to a long-term deal. Stamkos has been OK on a nasty Nashville crew, however Guentzel has been super for the Bolts. 1 11-8-2
13

Avalanche
Star energy | Depth is nice, however groups want true stars to win large within the NHL. The Avalanche have loads of star energy, led by reigning MVP Nathan MacKinnon. He already has seven objectives and 28 assists in 22 video games, however he is not alone. Mikko Rantanen has 14 objectives, tied for fourth within the NHL, and Cale Makar’s 30 factors are 10 greater than the subsequent closest defenseman. 2 12-10-0
14

Oilers
Leon & Connor | Having two of the 5 greatest gamers within the NHL in your roster is a reasonably good luxurious. The dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have mixed for 27 objectives, and nobody else on the crew has greater than six objectives. The depth, which appeared to have improved within the offseason, hasn’t been getting the job accomplished. The excellent news? It does not must. 1 11-9-2
15

Flames
Spunk | I did not essentially count on the Flames to be all that competent this season, and I definitely did not count on them to be three factors again of the Pacific Division lead at this level. It isn’t at all times fairly, however the Flames are punching unsuspecting opponents within the mouth and stacking wins. Can they hold this up? I am unsure, however this can be a mighty feisty crew. 1 12-7-4
16

Kings
Protection | In case you love high-flying offensive hockey, do not tune right into a Kings sport. They’ve made a behavior of stifling opponents, permitting simply 2.01 xGA/60 at five-on-five, the very best mark within the league. What Los Angeles lacks in offensive talent gamers it greater than makes up for with distinctive crew protection. 2 11-8-3
17

Sabres
Hope | American Thanksgiving is lower than 24 hours away, and the Sabres are sitting in a playoff spot. Hope could be a harmful factor, however followers in Buffalo have not even had a lot of that in recent times. The Sabres are getting large contributions from key gamers and high quality goaltending from Ukko-Pekka Luukonen. Please ignore the troubling underlying metrics. 2 11-10-1
18

Kraken
Stability in web | For the primary few years of their existence, the Kraken struggled to seek out any stage of consistency between the pipes, however that drawback could lastly be solved. Joey Daccord confirmed numerous promise final season, and he has saved that going. Daccord is fifth within the NHL with 8.76 objectives saved above common, and he is maintaining Seattle within the playoff race. 1 11-10-1
19

Bruins
Boston Celtics | How about these Celtics? No championship hangover. Off to a 15-3 begin. They appear poised to go back-to-back! Don’t fret about anything occurring in TD Backyard today. The champs are rolling. 3 11-10-3
20

Flyers
Matvei Michkov | There is a good probability Matvei Michikov winds up making just a few groups look foolish for passing on him on the high of the 2023 NHL Draft. He fell to No. 7 general, and the Flyers had been completely happy to take him. It is easy to see why. The 19-year-old rookie has eight objectives and 9 assists in his first 20 NHL video games. — 10-10-3
21

Islanders
Time beyond regulation | The Islanders now have a multi-year love affair with time beyond regulation video games. Final season, loser factors saved the Isles within the playoff race for your complete season, and the identical factor is occurring once more. New York has already gotten factors out 5 losses, tied with the Sharks for many within the league. — 8-10-5
22

Blues
Boston Bruins | One crew’s emotional and irrational choice is one other crew’s treasure. Jim Montgomery was unemployed for all of two seconds earlier than the Blues got here calling. Now, St. Louis has a coach with a profession .661 successful proportion behind the bench, and the crew must be quite a bit higher for it. 3 11-12-1
23

Senators
Brady Tkachuk | Brady does not get the identical stage of consideration as Matthew, however the youthful Tkachuk brother remains to be numerous enjoyable to look at. Tkachuk leads the Sens with 11 objectives, and he is on tempo for 89 factors. Ottawa followers want to understand what they’ve as a result of if issues hold trending within the present course, will Tkachuk do what his brother did in Calgary and work his manner out of city? 5 11th of September-1
24

Crimson Wings
Mediocrity | The Crimson Wings are one of many worst five-on-five groups within the NHL, they usually have two gamers on tempo to eclipse the 20-goal mark. Regardless of that, they’re simply three factors out of a playoff spot. For that, they’ll thank the mediocrity that’s the Jap Convention wild card race. 2 10-10-2
25

Blue Jackets
Effort | Nobody would have blamed the Blue Jackets for beginning gradual this season. As a substitute, they’ve battled each evening, and their five-on-five numbers are shockingly good. Columbus goes to battle to achieve the postseason, however one factor that is sure is it is going to take a bit out of each opponent it faces. 5 9-9-3
26

Geese
Leo Carlsson | Too most of the Geese’ younger prospects have didn’t take the subsequent step on the NHL stage by now, however Leo Carlsson has already proven marked progress in his second season. Carlsson has 11 factors in 20 video games, and whereas his five-on-five sport does want work, he has proven flashes of being a franchise cornerstone for Anaheim. 2 8-9-3
27

Hockey Membership
Youth | Utah has gotten off to a risky begin, however that may be the case when attempting to carry alongside a younger core. Consistency may be a problem, however that does not change the truth that the franchise’s future may be very brilliant. Gamers like Dylan Guenther, Logan Cooley and Barrett Hayton have proven the power to play properly on the NHL stage. They simply must do it extra typically now. 4 9-10-3
28

Penguins
Milestones | The precise outcomes have been fairly disastrous for the Penguins this season, however at the least followers have seen some legends hit main milestones. Sidney Crosby has scored his 700th objective and notched his 1,600th level. Evgeni Malkin has picked up his five hundredth objective and 800th help. That is at the least one thing to cheer about. 1 8-12-4
29

Blackhawks
Draft capital | The Predators’ large offseason has landed them in thirty first place, and a pair extra weeks of dropping will sink them for good. In case you’re in search of positives, you will discover them within the stockpile of draft picks. Nashville, headed straight for the draft lottery, has 5 picks within the first two rounds of the 2025 NHL Draft. Rebuilding now could be a full 180 from the summer time, however at the least the Preds have the picks to do it. 3 7-12-2
30

Canadiens
Draft lottery | The draft lottery has been form to the Blackhawks within the final 20 years with Patrick Kane and Connor Bedard being the largest prizes. The way in which issues are trending in Chicago now, the crew is likely to be heading for one more No. 1 general choice. 1 8-11-3
31

Predators
Prospects | The Canadiens do have a comparatively deep prospect pool, led by a pair of defensemen in Lane Hutson and David Reinbacher. If these two hit, Montreal will likely be set on the blue line for a very long time. Now, how lengthy will it take earlier than these prospects lastly rework the Canadiens again into an NHL powerhouse? 3 7-12-4
32

Sharks
Basis | The Sharks nonetheless have an extended street forward of them, however the basis seems to be in place. They’ve a pair potential stars up entrance in Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. In web, Yaroslav Askarov is without doubt one of the greatest goalie prospects throughout the league. San Jose already has some key items in place. Now, it has to construct round them. 3 7-12-5