1
|
Stars
|
Offense is a workforce effort in Dallas. The Stars’ depth is as soon as once more proving to be the very best within the NHL with a number of strains able to placing the puck within the web recurrently. Seven gamers are scoring at a 20-goal tempo, and Wyatt Johnston simply misses the reduce at 10 objectives in 42 video games. Within the postseason, opposing defenses will not be capable of hone in on one or two strains as a result of everybody within the Stars lineup is able to lighting the lamp.
|
5
|
28-14-1
|
2
|
Oilers
|
Overlook the loaded stat sheet. Leon Draisaitl is doing preposterous issues at five-on-five each single evening. In his over 700 minutes of ice-time in these conditions, Draisaitl owns a 62.0% anticipated objectives share, and the Oilers are outscoring opponents at a charge of practically 2-to-1. Proper now, Draisaitl is on tempo for his second Hart Trophy.
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1
|
28-13-3
|
3
|
Avalanche
|
When the Avalanche acquired Casey Mittelstadt final season, I believed he could be an ideal match for them, however that hasn’t been the case. As a substitute of giving Colorado stability within the second-line middle spot, he is been getting caved in at five-on-five. With Mittelstadt on the ice in these conditions, Colorado has a minus-8 aim differential and a 42.7% anticipated objectives share.
|
1
|
27-17-1
|
4
|
Golden Knights
|
Vegas is a Western Convention powerhouse, but it surely might nonetheless use slightly extra out of William Karlsson, who has struggled offensively. Karlsson has seven objectives in 34 video games, and he hasn’t scored in his final 10 video games. In truth, he has simply three assists in that span. General, Wild Invoice is on the way in which to his least productive season in a number of years.
|
3
|
29-12-3
|
5
|
Kings
|
Los Angeles hasn’t performed in a sport that includes greater than three complete objectives since Dec. 29. As spectacular because the workforce’s protection is, it does want to seek out extra on the different finish of the ice. The most important concern proper now’s Kevin Fiala, who hasn’t recorded a single level within the final 5 video games, and he hasn’t notched an help since Dec. 7. The Kings want him to raise his sport to contend for a Cup.
|
3
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24-12-5
|
6
|
Jets
|
On Tuesday evening, Kyle Connor recorded a pure hat trick earlier than the Canucks might even blink. Connor scored the sport’s first three objectives in simply 13:37, marking the second-fastest hat trick in Jets/Thrashers historical past. Connor is now as much as 26 objectives in 45 video games, placing him on tempo for the very best goal-scoring season of his already spectacular profession.
|
2
|
30-12-3
|
7
|
Capitals
|
Tom Wilson appears to have revived his profession after which some. Wilson has 19 objectives in 43 video games, which means he is on observe for 36. Wilson, now 30, hasn’t even scored greater than 24 in a single season. He is been excellent for the Capitals, and his 55.5% anticipated objectives share at five-on-five is just extra proof that that is no fluke.
|
2
|
29-10-5
|
8
|
Wild
|
With this being his final NHL season, let’s give a nod to the legendary Marc-Andre Fleury. In a backup function behind Filip Gustavsson, Fleury is within the midst of a bounce-back marketing campaign. Fleury boasts a .910 save proportion and has posted 3.18 objectives saved above common. That is an enormous enchancment from the place Fleury was presently final season, when he was towards the underside of the NHL in each classes.
|
1
|
27-14-4
|
9
|
Hurricanes
|
Jack Roslovic, whose profession excessive is 22 objectives in a single season, presently leads the Hurricanes with 17 objectives. To begin with, that is a testomony to how effectively Roslovic has adjusted to his new surroundings in Carolina. He is thriving below Rod Brind’Amour. Alternatively, it is also a reminder that Martin Necas has one aim in his final 18 video games after notching 14 in 26 video games to begin the season.
|
1
|
26-16-3
|
10
|
Panthers
|
The Panthers have only a few weaknesses (duh), however they have not precisely been impenetrable between the pipes. Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight have mixed to permit 3.73 objectives above common. These two do not must be elite for Florida to repeat as Cup champs, however Florida wants slightly bit greater than what they’ve proven thus far.
|
1
|
26-16-3
|
11
|
Maple Leafs
|
Mitch Marner is taking part in like prime John Stockton for the Maple Leafs. He is been shelling out helpers left and proper, and now he’s on observe for 83 assists. Marner has all the time been an elite playmaker, however he is by no means come near averaging an help per sport. Marner has been the WD-40 holding the gears of this Leafs offense turning.
|
6
|
27-16-2
|
12
|
Devils
|
For the reason that Christmas break, Timo Meier has only one aim and one help. It has been a irritating hunch for Meier, who regarded like he had figured it out in New Jersey by the primary 36 video games. Regardless of the sagging stats, Meier’s five-on-five impacts stay among the finest on your complete workforce, so he’s doing different issues to contribute.
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—
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26-15-5
|
13
|
Lightning
|
With a cap hit of $6.5 million per season, Brandon Hagel could be one of many extra underrated bargains round. He is already as much as 20 objectives and 28 assists on the season, and people totals put him on tempo for 93 factors. That might be an 18-point enchancment over his spectacular 2023-24 marketing campaign, and he has picked up among the offensive slack left behind by Steven Stamkos.
|
2
|
23-16-3
|
14
|
Canadiens
|
I believe the Canadiens are formally an issue. Since Dec. 17, Montreal is 10-2-1, which is the very best document within the NHL over that span. That document will not be the results of some good puck luck both. The Habs have managed 51.6% of the anticipated objectives over this stretch, and the workforce protection has taken a transparent step ahead. Whether or not Montreal can maintain this stage of play stays to be seen, however it’s a enjoyable group to look at.
|
5
|
21-18-4
|
15
|
Crimson Wings
|
For the reason that Christmas break ended, Patrick Kane and the Crimson Wings have been on a heater. Over that span, Kane has 5 objectives and eight assists. Simply as importantly, Lucas Raymond has discovered his sport with 5 objectives and 9 assists. It is not a coincidence Detroit is 7-2-0 in its final 9, and the workforce is true again within the midst of a muddy East playoff race.
|
5
|
20-19-4
|
16
|
Blues
|
One of many offseason’s greatest blunders might need been the Oilers letting the Blues pluck Dylan Holloway from proper below their noses. Holloway, in his third NHL season, has been a bona fide top-six ahead for St. Louis. His 15 objectives are second on the workforce, and his 32 factors are good for third. Holloway has been an incredible addition for the Blues.
|
3
|
21-20-4
|
17
|
Senators
|
The Grinch stole Christmas and the Senators’ potential to place the puck within the web. Ottawa could not be stopped heading into the vacation break, and now it may’t purchase a aim. The Sens have scored simply 19 objectives in 9 video games since Christmas, and their depth scoring has fully fallen by the wayside.
|
3
|
22-18-3
|
18
|
Blue Jackets
|
I’ve written about Zach Werenksi already this season, however I must take one other take a look at what he is doing. Because of 4 objectives in his final six video games, Werenski has 15 objectives in 44 video games. He ought to simply move the 20-goal mark, and he would possibly even sniff 30. The final time a defenseman hit that quantity was Mike Inexperienced in 2008-09.
|
3
|
21-17-6
|
19
|
Flames
|
After trying useless within the water by his first couple seasons with the Flames, Jonathan Huberdeau is now on tempo for 34 objectives, which might be a profession excessive. Huberdeau is taking pictures 24.3%, nearly double his profession common of 12.7%, but it surely’s good to see him producing once more after a disastrous begin to his time as a Flame.
|
5
|
21-15-7
|
20
|
Bruins
|
Boston has precisely two gamers on tempo for 20-plus objectives: Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. That is not going to get the job executed. Really, given the state of the playoff race within the East, it would. Nonetheless, it is clear this workforce is nowhere close to true Cup competition in the meanwhile. It will be fascinating to see the path this workforce takes forward of the commerce deadline.
|
2
|
22-19-5
|
21
|
Canucks
|
Elias Pettersson has two objectives in his final 10 video games. J.T. Miller has two objectives in his final 17 video games. Now the Canucks are outdoors of the playoffs. I am not completely certain what to consider in regards to the chemistry in that locker room, however I do know one thing has to alter shortly as a result of Vancouver’s season is heading south.
|
5
|
19-14-10
|
22
|
Islanders
|
Noah Dobson’s offense has cratered after posting 70 factors in 2023-24. He is sitting on 5 objectives and 16 assists by 43 video games, which means Dobson is now monitoring for his worst offensive season because the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 marketing campaign. An already offensively-challenged workforce just like the Islanders cannot afford that type of drop-off.
|
5
|
17-19-7
|
23
|
Geese
|
That is shaping as much as be one other disappointing season in Anaheim, however the goaltending cannot be blamed. Lukas Dostal and John Gibson have been a stable tandem, combining for 9.74 objectives saved above common. Anaheim’s workforce save proportion of .902 ranks eighth within the NHL. Issues aren’t going effectively for the Geese, however the crease has been stable.
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—
|
18-21-5
|
24
|
Sabres
|
Dylan Cozens is on the commerce block, and it isn’t onerous to see why. The 23-year-old appears to have taken a step again with 9 objectives and 12 assists, and that’s on the again of a considerably regarding 2023-24 marketing campaign. The problem is that the potential return for Cozens might be dropping by the day. Buffalo could also be higher served to hold onto Cozens and see if he can get his younger profession again on observe.
|
2
|
17-22-5
|
25
|
Flyers
|
After a scorching begin, rookie Matvei Michkov has cooled off fairly a bit. Over the past month, Michkov has tallied two objectives and two assists in 14 video games. He is now lagging behind Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson within the Calder Trophy race, but it surely’s not unusual for rookies to hit a wall. If he closes effectively, Michkov will probably be again within the combine for the award.
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—
|
19-20-6
|
26
|
Hockey Membership
|
Talking of streaky younger gamers, Dylan Guenther has been on a curler coaster in Salt Lake Metropolis. He began the season with 5 objectives in three video games. Then he scored two in his subsequent 16 video games. Then he heated up. Then he cooled off. So on and so forth. In the intervening time, Guenther is experiencing a chilly spell with no objectives and two assists in his final eight video games. If Guenther can discover some consistency, he’ll put up some mammoth numbers.
|
9
|
18-18-7
|
27
|
Penguins
|
The story of the season in Pittsburgh actually has been goaltending, particularly the poor play of Tristan Jarry. In his 22 appearances, Jarry has a .887 save proportion with 11.5 objectives allowed above common. Each numbers put him within the NHL’s basement. If Jarry was taking part in anyplace close to common, the Pens would very possible be in a playoff spot.
|
5
|
18-20-8
|
28
|
Rangers
|
If I might get slightly spicy right here, I would prefer to marvel about the way forward for Atremi Panarin in New York. In a season with all the pieces collapsing round him, Panarin has nonetheless been excellent. He is on tempo to place up 90 factors for the fourth time in his profession, and he has yet one more 12 months left on his deal at $11.6 million. That is some huge cash, however the 33-year-old might fetch a big return if the Rangers actually wished to shake issues up.
|
3
|
20-20-3
|
29
|
Predators
|
Nashville hoped Tommy Novak might step up right into a second-line middle function, however he was unable to reap the benefits of his alternative. As a substitute, Steven Stamkos was moved over to middle, and Novak was bumped to the third line. He now has 9 factors in 34 video games and could possibly be on the commerce block because the deadline will get nearer.
|
1
|
14-22-7
|
30
|
Kraken
|
The Kraken have a whole lot of points, therefore their place in these energy rankings, however Philipp Grubauer could be their greatest one. He’s useless final amongst all NHL goalies with 17.7 objectives allowed above common in simply 20 appearances. In his final 5 video games, Grubauer has allowed 17 objectives on simply 105 photographs in opposition to. Simply trip Joey Daccord till the wheels fall off.
|
1
|
19-23-3
|
31
|
Sharks
|
Veteran defenseman Mario Ferraro will get a whole lot of the robust minutes for the Sharks, and he hasn’t fared effectively. In 793 minutes with Ferraro on the ice at five-on-five, the Sharks have been outscored 46-24. Ferraro does have a borderline not possible job, however his five-on-five efficiency has been among the many worst within the league.
|
1
|
14-26-6
|
32
|
Blackhawks
|
Because of their three-game shedding streak, the Blackhawks at the moment are in final place and 4 factors behind the Thirty first-place Sharks. The excellent news for Chicago is that one other No. 1 choose could possibly be on the way in which, however the different aspect of the coin is that this workforce appears to be like to be without end and a mile away from being competent once more.
|
—
|
14-28-2
|