Capitals
When the Capitals acquired Pierre-Luc Dubois and his whole contract final offseason, I puzzled what precisely the plan was. It hasn’t taken lengthy for me to look silly. Dubois has been greater than definitely worth the gamble, tallying 9 targets and 29 assists in 47 video games. On high of that, his 56.2% anticipated targets share and plus-17 aim differential at five-on-five are a few of the finest marks on the group. 6 33-10-5
2

Oilers
Final week, the Oilers had back-to-back video games towards the Wild and Avalanche. After falling behind in every of these contests, they had been capable of storm again for regulation wins. Connor McDavid, who has been purple sizzling over the past month, led the cost in each. He notched a mixed three targets and two assists as Edmonton managed to drag off spectacular wins towards high quality opponents. Now, can he keep sizzling after serving his three-game suspension? — 30-15-3
3

Hurricanes
The 2 Jordans, Martinook and Staal, are probably the greatest defensive duos within the league on the ahead place. With these two on the ice at five-on-five, the Canes have outscored opponents 23-14 and personal 64.2% of the anticipated targets. Martinook and Stall have chipped in some offense of their very own, however their defensive efforts have been a key factor of Carolina’s success. 6 30-16-3
4

Maple Leafs
A nagging shoulder harm has knocked Auston Matthews off observe a pair instances already this season, however he’s beginning to hit his groove with 5 targets in his final 4 video games. Matthews is now scoring at an 82-game tempo of 47 targets, which is not fairly to the 69-goal heights he hit final season, nevertheless it’s very encouraging given the harm points he is confronted thus far. 7 30-17-2
5

Stars
Jason Robertson could have discovered his scoring contact, which is unlucky information for the remainder of the Western Convention. Robertson, a former 46-goal scorer, has 5 targets in his final six video games. He is now as much as 15 targets on the season, and also you needed to determine his poor capturing luck wasn’t going to final all season. Now, one of many Stars’ greatest weapons is hitting his stride within the second half. 4 29-17-1
6

Avalanche
The Avalanche have been a fairly pedestrian five-on-five group, which isn’t one thing that may very well be mentioned about them in earlier seasons. Colorado ranks 18th within the NHL with an anticipated targets share of fifty.3%, and its minus-5 aim differential is tied for twenty first. The Avs’ depth simply has not fared effectively with each groups at full power, and that may very well be their Achilles heel within the playoffs as soon as once more. 3 28-19-2
7

Jets
Since becoming a member of the Jets final season, Gabriel Vilardi has change into a wonderful energy play weapon by organising camp proper in entrance of the opposing goalie. In 105 video games with Winnipeg, Vilardi has 19 targets, which is tied with Filip Forsberg and Alex DeBrincat for nineteenth in that span. That solely will get extra spectacular while you understand everybody above Vilardi on that checklist has performed no less than 14 extra video games than him. 1 32-14-3
8

Canadiens
What Patrik Laine is doing this season is nothing in need of preposterous. In his 18 video games this season, he has 10 energy play targets, which is tied for fourth in the complete NHL. Once more, this man has performed in 18 video games. Martin St. Louis has utilized Laine’s potential to take a seat within the left circle and hearth seeds towards the web, in the identical vein as Alex Ovechkin or Steven Stamkos. The Canadiens are one of many league’s finest tales, and Laine’s renaissance is on the heart of that. 6 24-20-4
9

Wild
With Kirill Kaprizov out of the lineup, the Wild want different gamers to create some offense. Recently, that hasn’t occurred typically sufficient, particularly within the case of Joel Eriksson Ek. Over his final six video games, Eriksson Ek has registered simply two assists. I do know his specialty is protection, however Eriksson Ek has to take extra of the offensive burden off Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi. 1 28-16-4
10

Lightning
Nikita Kucherov is using an 11-game level streak, and he has 5 targets and 11 assists in that span. On the season, Tampa has a plus-21 aim differential with Kucherov on the ice at five-on-five. It is arduous to seek out an space through which Kucherov is not flat out dominating opponents, and he’s proper in the midst of the Hart Trophy dialog but once more. 3 25-18-3
11

Panthers
Going again to his first season with the Panthers, in 2020-21, Carter Verhaeghe has by no means had an issue scoring targets. That’s, till now. Verhaeghe has 11 targets in 47 video games, placing him on tempo for his lowest uncooked complete since he scored 9 in 52 video games as a rookie with the Lightning. Florida has had a tough time getting any traction of late, and it wants Verhaeghe to begin heating up. 1 28-18-3
12

Kings
The Kings have scored 16 targets in January, tied for final within the NHL over that span. I’ve highlighted Kevin Fiala’s offensive points already, however he is not alone. Quinton Byfield hasn’t scored since Jan. 1, Anze Kopitar hasn’t scored since Dec. 29 and Phillip Danault hasn’t scored since Dec. 14. The aim mild operator in Crypto.com Enviornment wants to remain free as a result of he hasn’t gotten a lot work currently. 7 26-14-5
13

Golden Knights
The Golden Knights have hit their first actual stoop of the season, shedding their final 4 and 6 of their final seven. Whereas goaltending stays a query mark in Vegas, the offense has gone chilly too. Ivan Barbashev hasn’t recorded some extent since getting back from harm on Jan. 11, and William Karlsson hasn’t discovered the scoresheet since Jan. 7. 9 30-14-4
14

Blue Jackets
Quite a lot of the eye in Columbus has been on Zach Werenski, and it is easy to see why. He is been spectacular, and there could also be a Norris Trophy in his future. That mentioned, do not forget about Kirill Marchenko. He is on tempo for 87 factors, and his five-on-five impacts are jaw-dropping. With Marchenko within the recreation, Columbus has a plus-29 aim differential and a 55.8% anticipated targets share. 4 23-19-7
15

Blues
The Blues could be the proper embodiment of mediocrity. They have not gained greater than two video games in a row all season. But they continue to be just a few standings factors above .500 as a result of they’ve additionally been capable of keep away from prolonged shedding streaks. Proper now, St. Louis is within the worst spot for a group to be. Not adequate to be an actual playoff risk. Not dangerous sufficient to land a useful draft choose. 1 23-22-4
16

Devils
The Devils have gained simply two of their final 11 video games, and their offense has been non-existent all through this stretch. Jesper Bratt has only one aim in his final 15 video games, and Timo Meier hasn’t scored a aim in 2025. To boost one other purple flag, the group’s underlying course of has dipped over the previous couple of weeks, so this is not merely a case of merciless hockey gods. 4 27-17-6
17

Crimson Wings
Is the “new coach bump” lastly beginning to put on off in Detroit? The previously scorching Crimson Wings have now misplaced three straight, scoring only one aim in every recreation. The Wings’ heater was all the time slightly suspicious to me, particularly contemplating they did the identical factor final yr, and their offense appears to be leveling out a bit now. 2 22-21-5
18

Senators
Ottawa is counting on Brady Tkachuk to be a key cog in its offensive machine. Recently, Tkachuk hasn’t been capable of get something going. Tkachuk hasn’t notched some extent since Jan. 7, and the Senators are sputtering within the Japanese Convention playoff race. Tkachuk has been concerned, placing 28 photographs on internet throughout this drought, however the Sens cannot wait for much longer for him to warmth up. 1 24-20-4
19

Flames
A number of weeks in the past, I steered Dustin Wolf could be a darkish horse for the Calder Trophy. You possibly can most likely drop the darkish horse and simply take into account him a critical candidate for the award. The rookie goaltender is fifth within the NHL with 12.4 targets saved above common, and his .917 save share ranks sixth. If not for him, Calgary could be sitting outdoors the playoffs. — 23-16-7
20

Bruins
I’ve some excellent information for Bruins followers. David Pastrnak is cooking. Pastrnak has now recorded 4 straight multi-point video games, totaling 5 targets and 6 assists in that stretch. It is not truthful, however Boston depends on Pastrnak for a big chunk of its offense, so the group goes as he goes. Fortunately for the Bruins, Pastrnak has been rolling currently. — 24-20-6
21

Flyers
As somebody who has torched the Flyers’ goaltending, I’ve to offer some credit score to Samuel Ersson. Because the New 12 months, Ersson has appeared in six video games whereas posting a .936 save share and a couple of.02 targets saved above common. That is a minute pattern dimension, nevertheless it’s no less than some signal of life between the pipes. 4 22-21-6
22

Rangers
The Rangers have all of a sudden gotten again on observe, and no less than a few of this obvious turnaround might be attributed to Igor Shesterkin. Following a quick absence as a consequence of harm, Shesterkin is 5-0-1 in his final six begins. Over that span, he has posted a .943 save share and simply recorded his second consecutive shutout in a 5-0 win over the Senators on Tuesday night time. 6 24-20-4
23

Islanders
Mat Barzal is lastly beginning to discover a rhythm with 11 factors in his final 9 video games. The Islanders desperately wanted Barzal to raise his recreation, and he is achieved that currently. The difficulty is that he would not have sufficient assist on the high of the lineup. That is why the Isles stay caught in impartial and sit in fifteenth place within the East. 1 19-20-7
24

Hockey Membership
Utah is hoping that Mikhail Sergachev generally is a top-pairing defenseman for a very long time. His first season with the group has been slightly uneven. Sergachev’s 50.7% anticipated targets share and minus-1 aim differential at five-on-five speaks to that. On the entire, Sergachev has been tremendous, however Utah wants slightly greater than that out of him. Sergachev’s offense has come and gone, and it has been extra of the latter not too long ago. 2 21-19-7
25

Canucks
On Thursday, JT Miller was very visibly benched by Rick Tocchet in a 5-1 loss to the Kings. Two days later, rumors had been swirling that Miler could be on his strategy to the Rangers. That commerce did not materialize, and it looks as if the Canucks must decide a technique or one other. I discover it arduous to consider Vancouver might commerce Miller and nonetheless enhance this season, nevertheless it does appear to be it has change into an untenable state of affairs. GM Patrick Allvin is in a troublesome spot. 4 20-17-10
26

Predators
Filip Forsberg went from Nov. 27 to Jan. 6 with out scoring a aim, however he has made up for misplaced time over the past couple of weeks. Forsberg is on a six-game aim streak with seven targets and 5 assists in that span. Given Forsberg’s surge, it should not be shocking to see that the Preds are on a four-game profitable streak and enjoying competent hockey. 3 18-22-7
27

Kraken
Brandon Tanev is reportedly on the commerce block, and a change of surroundings would possibly do him some good. Tanev has struggled in Dan Bylsma’s first season behind the bench. The Kraken have a minus-12 aim differential and a 44.5% anticipated targets share with Tanev on the ice at five-on-five. After all, that additionally means the potential return for Tanev could be slipping. 3 21-25-3
28

Penguins
Final week, Alex Nedeljkovis grew to become the primary goalie in NHL historical past to document a aim and an help in the identical recreation. He additionally grew to become the primary goalie ever to attain within the ECHL, AHL and NHL. It was a enjoyable second, which the Penguins want as a result of the group may need some powerful selections coming with the commerce deadline on the horizon. 1 20-22-8
29

Sabres
Rasmus Dahlin is carrying this Buffalo blue line on his again. Along with his 34 factors, Dahlin is posting five-on-five impacts which can be in a unique stratosphere than the remainder of the Sabres defensemen. Dahlin deserves extra recognition for his efficiency as a result of he’s thriving in an terrible setting. 5 18-25-5
30

Geese
It is arduous to consider how dangerous the Geese are but once more. Their five-on-five anticipated targets share of 43.4% ranks thirty first within the NHL, and so they have precisely two gamers on tempo to achieve 20 targets. The joy round this rebuild has actually waned over the previous couple of seasons as a consequence of a disappointing lack of progress. 7 19-23-6
31

Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are apparently open to shifting Seth Jones, however I am undecided I would need to be the group paying the value mandatory to accumulate him. Jones has 5 extra years left on his contract at $9.5 million per season. Even with retained wage, that is an enormous tablet to swallow for a participant who has floundered at five-on-five. Granted, Jones would not have a lot assist round him, however I ponder what the market appears to be like like for the 30-year-old defenseman. 1 15-28-4
32

Sharks
The Sharks placed on a tanking masterclass Tuesday. They jumped out to a 5-1 lead over the Predators with Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and William Eklund all contributing. Then, San Jose proceeded to blow that lead in a 7-5 loss, thereby defending the group’s possibilities of profitable the draft lottery once more. 1 14-31-6