Jets
Nikolaj Ehlers is having maybe one of the best season of his profession, and he nonetheless does not get sufficient respect or ice time. Ehlers has 50 factors in 49 video games, which is superb, but it surely’s unimaginable when you think about he performs simply 15:48 per recreation. That is notably decrease than the opposite prime forwards on the staff, however Ehlers makes essentially the most of his ice-time. Only some gamers within the NHL have racked up factors at the next fee than Ehlers this season. — 42-14-3
2

Stars
Because of damage points on Group Canada, Thomas Harley acquired some ice time within the 4 Nations Face-Off, and it was well-deserved. He is been terrific for the Stars with 31 factors in 56 video games and a plus-24 purpose differential at five-on-five. The 23-year-old is an rising star, and he might be leaned on closely down the stretch as Miro Heiskanen recovers from damage. — 37-19-2
3

Capitals
Following his hat trick towards the Oilers on Sunday, Alex Ovechkin wants simply 13 extra objectives within the last 25 video games of the common season to interrupt Wayne Gretzky’s all-time objectives document. Ovechkin now has 29 objectives in 41 video games, which is an 82-game tempo of 58 tallies. That will be the second-highest whole of his complete profession, which solely makes Ovi’s efficiency at 39 much more jaw-dropping. — 38-12-8
4

Maple Leafs
Toronto’s five-on-five metrics have been surprisingly pedestrian, particularly given the outcomes it is gotten this season. The Leafs have been capable of overcome that largely as a result of great goaltending from Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. That duo has mixed to avoid wasting 23.2 objectives above common. Neither goalie has a lot of a playoff resume, so that is still a little bit of a query because the postseason approaches. 3 36-20-2
5

Panthers
The 4 Nations Face-Off exacted a heavy toll from the Panthers. Matthew Tkachuk suffered a lower-body damage within the event and can now be out for a major period of time. Florida nonetheless has a deep roster, however shedding Tkachuk will put a dent within the staff’s shot to repeat as Cup champs. We’ll see whether or not GM Invoice Zito makes an enormous transfer forward of the commerce deadline to compensate for this loss. — 35-21-3
6

Lightning
Tampa has received 5 straight video games, and Brandon Hagel has been one of many drivers of that success. Hagel has 5 objectives and 5 assists in that span, and his distinctive season continues. The Lightning ahead is now monitoring for 93 factors, which might be a brand new profession excessive by a large margin, and it is nonetheless onerous to consider that the Blackhawks ever let him go. 7 33-20-4
7

Hurricanes
Mikko Rantanen’s time as a Hurricane has not gotten off to begin. He has one purpose and two assists in eight video games, and that is not what Carolina hoped for when it acquired him from Colorado in a blockbuster deal. To be clear, I very critically doubt Rantanen will proceed to shoot 4.5% when his profession common is 16.1%. That stated, anybody questioning whether or not Rantanen might thrive away from MacKinnon has extra ammo proper now. 1 33-21-4
8

Pink Wings
Since Todd McLellan took over as coach on Dec. 28, the Pink Wings have one of the best document within the NHL at 17-4-2. They’ve managed to do this regardless of a minus-1 purpose differential at five-on-five, and that may be attributed to a scorching sizzling energy play. With McLellan behind the bench, Detroit has transformed on 39.1% of its energy play alternatives, which is first within the league by nearly six full factors. 1 30-22-6
9

Devils
Jack Hughes took some (maybe undue) warmth for his 4 Nations efficiency, however Devils followers aren’t complaining. Hughes has been pink sizzling for New Jersey with eight objectives and 4 assists in his final 9 video games. With the Devils properly on their technique to the playoffs, I am excited to see what Hughes does as soon as they get there. He was solely 21 in his first postseason look, and he posted 11 factors in 12 video games. 2 32-22-6
10

Wild
The Wild want as many arms on deck as they will get with Kirill Kaprizov out of the lineup. Sadly for Minnesota, Mats Zuccarello hasn’t been capable of finding a groove with out Kaprizov. He hasn’t scored a purpose since Jan. 25, and he hasn’t notched a single level in his final 9 video games. 4 34-20-4
11

Avalanche
Ross Colton acquired off to a ridiculously sizzling begin with 10 objectives in 15 video games. He was thriving within the bumper position on Colorado’s energy play, however Colton has been ice chilly for some time now. Colton hasn’t scored since Jan. 9, and he has only one help in his final 16 video games. Maybe as a result of his struggles, Colton’s ice-time has decreased dramatically, and a as soon as promising depth participant has hit a deep rut. 3 34-24-2
12

Oilers
Edmonton has now misplaced 4 straight video games whereas permitting a mixed 22 objectives. As is at all times the case, there are some official issues in regards to the Oilers’ goaltending. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have mixed to permit 5.46 objectives above common, and neither one has a save proportion above .900. That is the clear Achilles heel on this staff. 8 34-20-4
13

Golden Knights
The Golden Knights stay atop the Pacific Division standings, however they’ve been caught in impartial in 2025. Since Jan. 1, Vegas has gone 9-9-3, which is tied for the nineteenth finest document in that span. The staff’s underlying numbers have been comparatively robust in that point, however a 6.75% taking pictures proportion at five-on-five has tanked the precise outcomes. Look ahead to the Golden Knights to catch fireplace down the stretch. 3 34-18-6
14

Kings
Kevin Fiala has formally damaged out of his droop. Fiala has seven objectives in his final six video games, which has helped Los Angeles preserve a top-three spot within the Pacific Division. There are nonetheless very actual issues about how the Kings’ offense will fare within the postseason, however getting Fiala rolling is an enormous step in the correct course. Including a scorer earlier than the commerce deadline would additionally assist. 8 31-17-8
15

Senators
Matthew is not the one Tkachuk brother feeling the results of the 4 Nations Face-Off. Brady Tkachuk can be banged up, and that could not come at a worse time for the Senators, who’ve misplaced 4 straight video games whereas coping with accidents to different key forwards. Ottawa is inside attain of ending its seven-year playoff drought, however the damage bug has bitten at a nasty time. 5 29-25-4
16

Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets merely refuse to go away. They scored an enormous 6-4 win over the Stars on Tuesday evening, and Kirill Marchenko led the best way with three factors. He and Werenski have been driving a lot of the staff’s success all season, but it surely looks like former No. 5 total choose Kent Johnson is beginning to come round too. Johnson already has a brand new profession excessive with 19 objectives, and he is two factors away from a profession excessive in that class as properly. 4 28-22-8
17

Flames
I’ve to shoutout MacKenzie Weegar right here as a result of he is been the Flames’ finest participant. Weegar is a key cog within the offensive machine with six objectives and 26 assists, however his five-on-five impacts are terrific. Weegar owns a plus-11 purpose differential at five-on-five to go together with his 51.4% anticipated objectives share. He is flown below the radar, however Calgary could be nowhere close to the race with out him. 1 28-21-8
18

Canucks
JT Miller is gone, however the Elias Pettersson drawback stays. Pettersson hasn’t scored in 11 video games, and essentially the most troubling half is that he hasn’t even been placing pictures on web. In his final 5 video games, Pettersson has recorded three pictures. That is no technique to get away of a droop. Pettersson is a former 100-point scorer with elite talent, so to see him struggling this badly is totally befuddling. 3 27-20-11
19

Rangers
There was a whole lot of Adam Fox slander flying round after the 4 Nations event, and that won’t fly right here. Fox has been one of many solely good issues about this disappointing Rangers staff. With Fox on the ice at five-on-five, New York has a plus-11 purpose differential and a 56.1% anticipated objectives share. With out him, these numbers fall off a cliff to minus-16 and a 43.9% anticipated objectives share. — 29-25-4
20

Islanders
The Isles have now misplaced 5 of their final six video games in regulation, and whereas that will not utterly nix their playoff probabilities, the ultimate nail is midway within the coffin. All eyes now flip to Brock Nelson, who figures to be one of many hotter commodities on the NHL commerce market with playoff groups trying to improve their No. 2 heart spot. The 33-year-old can nonetheless deliver some offense with 17 objectives in 57 video games. 5 25-25-7
21

Bruins
If an extra time loss to the Geese on Saturday wasn’t sufficient of a kick within the tooth, blowing a 3-0 result in the Maple Leafs on Tuesday ensured the Bruins will want in depth dental work. Boston remains to be within the playoff race because of a mediocre center within the East, however even when it does get there, successful a spherical looks like a longshot. What’s the imaginative and prescient for the Bruins proper now? 1 27-24-8
22

Canadiens
Cole Caufield is de facto beginning to notice his scoring potential on the NHL degree. His 27 objectives in 58 video games places him on tempo for 38 tallies this season, and his totals have risen each single yr of his profession. At 24 years previous, Caufield is simply beginning to ascend towards his prime, and I would not be stunned to see him hit 50 objectives one season within the very close to future. 5 27-26-5
23

Flyers
Owen Tippett’s uncooked manufacturing could also be taking minor step again from final yr, however he has had a noticeably optimistic affect on the sport at five-on-five. Tippett’s 54.9% anticipated objectives share is without doubt one of the finest on the Flyers, and he is certainly one of solely a handful of gamers with a optimistic purpose differential (plus-1). Tippett might not be a bona fide first-liner in his profession, however he’ll be a invaluable middle-six piece for a very long time. — 26-26-7
24

Sabres
There was a whole lot of optimism round Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen coming into the season as a result of it appeared like he could possibly be the everlasting reply in purpose for the Sabres. As an alternative, Luukkonen has posted a number of the worst numbers within the league. His 6.68 objectives allowed above common rank 78th, and his .793 high-danger save proportion ranks 62nd. 1 24-27-5
25

Geese
The dearth of growth in Anaheim has been irritating at occasions, however defenseman Jackson LaCombe does appear to be coming round. He has 9 objectives and 28 factors in 50 video games, and his five-on-five numbers are fairly good when in comparison with most of his teammates. LaCombe may be rising as a long-term resolution on the Geese’ blue line. 1 25-25-7
26

Blues
The Blues are reportedly procuring Brayden Schenn, and if they might transfer him previous to the commerce deadline, that might be a pleasant little bit of enterprise from GM Doug Armstrong. Schenn, 33, has three extra years left on his contract at $6.5 million per season. Shifting Schenn would clear up vital cap area and permit the franchise get youthful because the rebuild and/or retool continues. 2 27-26-6
27

Hockey Membership
Matias Maccelli has been a wholesome scratch for Utah recently, and he may be on the commerce block. If he’s, playoff contenders ought to bounce on the likelihood to amass him for what must be an inexpensive value. Maccelli’s manufacturing has fallen off, however the 24-year-old nonetheless has some good playmaking means. He simply posted 40 assists and 57 factors final yr, and his underlying five-on-five impacts are good. — 26-24-9
28

Kraken
Jared McCann has been the first goal-scorer on the Kraken for a pair years now, however that hasn’t been the case recently. McCann has only one purpose in his final 12 video games as Seattle has struggled to create offense persistently. Seattle merely does not have sufficient scoring for its prime offensive weapon to go chilly for this lengthy. — 25-31-4
29

Penguins
Simply once you thought issues could not worsen for the Penguins, they’ve returned from the 4 Nations break to permit 19 objectives in three video games. The protection is unhealthy. The goaltending is worse. The greatness of Sidney Crosby may be the one factor motivating Pens followers to observe this product proper now. — 23-28-9
30

Predators
Steven Stamkos hasn’t recorded a degree in 9 video games, and he has simply 33 factors in 56 video games. The 35-year-old has by no means scored at a decrease fee in his prolonged profession, which makes the remainder of his $32 million contract look slightly troublesome. It has been a disastrous season in Nashville, and never even Stamkos is immune. — 20-30-7
31

Blackhawks
The Blackhawks misplaced to Utah on Tuesday evening, and shot makes an attempt had been 93-39 in favor of the Utahns. It is onerous to precise simply how horrible this Chicago staff is, and it is already been rebuilding for a handful of years now. In his postgame press convention, Seth Jones confirmed some fireplace, however he might not be round for much longer. It is ugly within the Windy Metropolis. — 17-34-7
32

Sharks
William Eklund has a pleasant little five-game level streak going, which is good to see. Eklund can get misplaced within the shuffle with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith within the combine, however 22-year-old was the No. 7 total choose in 2022. He is struggled to get his footing in a horrible atmosphere, however issues may be beginning to click on for the younger ahead. — 15-36-8