Bruins
Wingers are inclined to have an uphill battle in the case of successful the Hart Trophy because the league MVP, however David Pastrnak is doing his finest to garner consideration for the award. With 16 objectives and 23 assists in 26 video games, Pastrnak is on tempo for 123 factors. With out Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci round, Pastrnak has confirmed he can drive the bus on his personal. Few gamers are extra important to their group than Pastrnak. 2 19-5-4
2

Rangers
The Rangers have scored 88 objectives this season, and Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider have mixed for 30 of them. That comes out to 34.1% of the group’s scoring, and whereas these two are glorious finishers, New York in all probability must discover a solution to diversify its offense. Placing all of your eggs in two baskets is ok within the common season, nevertheless it may burn you within the playoffs. Mika Zibanejad is on tempo for simply 23 objectives proper now, so if he heats up, that ought to assist fairly a bit. — 20-7-1
3

Kings
Age is however a quantity to Drew Doughty, who’s nicely on his solution to receiving Norris Trophy votes on the finish of the season. The 34-year-old blueliner is already as much as seven objectives on the season, and that places him on a superb tempo to move his profession excessive of 14. What’s even higher is the truth that his five-on-five metrics proceed to be elite. Doughty owns a plus-9 objective differential and 58.2% anticipated objectives shared in these conditions. 2 16-6-4
4

Golden Knights
Jack Eichel is using an eight-game level streak, and he has 13 whole factors over that stretch. Eichel is having a dominant season up to now, and he’s a significant purpose why the Golden Knights have actually rounded into kind over the past couple weeks. Early within the season, Vegas was getting outcomes with a shaky underlying course of. Now, the defending champs are smoking groups on the scoreboard and below the hood. 7 20-6-5
5

Canucks
Hey, regression, my previous good friend. In the beginning of the season, every part was discovering the again of the web for the Canucks, and Thatcher Demko was stopping each puck thrown his approach. That allowed Vancouver to get off to a scorching begin, however issues have cooled off a bit since. The Canucks are 8-6-0 within the final month as their taking pictures and save percentages have come again to Earth. Regardless of that, they nonetheless have a 12-point edge over the red-hot Oilers. It is also good to see the group’s five-on-five play has improved too. 5 20-9-2
6

Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk scored his fifth objective of the season on Sunday, and the Panthers can solely hope meaning the floodgates are about to open. Tkachuk has hit the 40-goal mark in every of the 2 earlier seasons, however he’s at the moment on tempo for simply 15 in 2023-24. Tkachuk is taking pictures a depressing 4.8% this season, which is nicely beneath half of his profession common. The excellent news for Florida is that the group is already rolling with out Tkachuk lighting the lamp, so think about what they are going to appear like as soon as Tkachuk will get sizzling. 2 17-10-2
7

Jets
The Jets had been one of many NHL’s hotter groups recently, successful 4 video games in a row and shutting in on the Stars and Avalanche on the high of the division. Now, they may have to hold on for expensive life. Following a knee-on-knee collision with Geese ahead Ryan Strome, it is potential Kyle Connor is likely to be out for a number of weeks. Connor at the moment leads the Jets in objectives with 17, almost double his subsequent closest teammate. 2 17-9-2
8

Stars
Jake Oettinger just isn’t in a festive temper proper now. Perhaps it is as a result of the Stars’ jerseys appear like Grinch costumes, or perhaps it is as a result of he has struggled mightily in his final 5 appearances. Within the month of December, Oettinger has allowed 5.48 objectives above common, which ranks final within the NHL over that span. Should you’re searching for a purpose why Dallas has hit the skids recently, that is likely one of the largest components, however I might anticipate Oettinger to get again on monitor quickly. 4 17-8-3
9

Avalanche
The Avalanche do not want good goaltending to achieve success, however Alexandar Georgiev hasn’t even been common this season. In his 23 appearances, Georgiev ranks sixty fourth within the NHL with 4.96 objectives allowed above common. His .896 save share is tied for forty first amongst goalies with a minimum of 300 minutes performed. Would Colorado contemplate including goaltending assistance on the commerce market if Georgiev would not get this sorted out? 3 18-9-2
10

Maple Leafs
John Tavares received the 1,000th level of his profession on Monday, and in a enjoyable accident, it got here on a late game-tying objective towards the New York Islanders. Tavares piled up the primary 621 of these factors on Lengthy Island, however the followers at UBS Area weren’t in a congratulatory temper. The Isles devoted booed Tavares and received the final chortle with an time beyond regulation win in a show of fine quaint hatred that you just simply do not see a lot anymore. 2 15-6-6
11

Flyers
I proceed to be blown away by the job John Tortorella and Flyers are doing this yr. I assumed Philadelphia could be one of many worst groups within the NHL this season, and I’ve a complete carton of eggs on my face at this level. The Flyers are third within the Metro Division — forward of the Hurricanes and Capitals — and their underlying numbers are distinctive. Their 53.7% anticipated objectives share at five-on-five ranks fifth. Folks want to begin taking them extra significantly. 3 16-10-3
12

Hurricanes
The goaltending scenario in Carolina has gotten ugly, and it is costing the group video games. With Freddie Andersen on the shelf for the foreseeable future, nobody has stepped up and brought over the crease. As an alternative, Antti Raanta and Petr Kochetkov have surrendered a mixed 19.94 objectives above common. That’s robust for any group to beat, and it has dragged Carolina out of a playoff spot. 5 16-12-2
13

Oilers
The Oilers have thrust themselves again into the Western Convention playoff race with an eight-game successful streak, and I am going to offer you one guess as to who’s main the cost. Connor McDavid is wholesome and indignant, which is an effective mixture for Edmonton and a foul mixture for everybody else. McDavid is at the moment using a 10-game level streak and has a complete of 5 objectives and 18 assists over that stretch. That is an 82-game tempo of 200 factors. 7 13-13-1
14

Pink Wings
The Pink Wings hit a three-game skid after signing Patrick Kane, however they put a cease to that with a win over the Blues on Tuesday night time. By means of his first 4 video games with Detroit, Kane has one objective and one help, and his mobility does look improved when in comparison with final yr. The Wings are nonetheless working issues out with Kane at five-on-five, and it’d require extra shuffling than typical with Dylan Larkin now on IR. 5 15-10-4
15

Lightning
The Lightning are squarely in the course of the pack as of late, and that isn’t a place with which they’re very acquainted. The massive weapons are placing up stable offensive numbers, however the group’s five-on-five metrics are fairly pedestrian. One of many largest crimson flags entails veteran defenseman Victor Hedman, who owns a forty five.0% anticipated objectives share at five-on-five. I am not counting out the Bolts by any stretch, however that could be very regarding. 2 14-12-5
16

Devils
Timo Meier is having a tough time in his first full season with the Devils. Meier has solely 5 objectives in 19 video games, and he’s simply making an attempt to tread water at five-on-five. With Meier on the ice in these conditions, New Jersey has a minus-8 objective differential and a depressing 46.0% anticipated objectives share. Till Meier can get out of this funk, the Devils’ offense will not fireplace on all cylinders. 1 15-11-1
17

Capitals
The Capitals are tied with the Sharks for the fewest objectives scored this season, however they’re in some way nonetheless in a playoff spot. Alex Ovechkin has 5 objectives on the yr, however they’re in some way nonetheless in a playoff spot. The ability play ranks thirty second, however they’re in some way nonetheless in a playoff spot. Truthfully, I hope Washington can maintain this up as a result of it will be one of many more unusual seasons in current reminiscence. 1 14-8-4
18

Predators
The Predators’ efficiency at five-on-five has been lagging recently, nevertheless it hasn’t mattered as a result of Juuse Saros remembered he is probably the greatest goaltenders on this planet. In his final 5 video games, Saros has posted a .954 save share, an .889 high-danger save share and eight.37 objectives saved above common. When he performs like that, it would not actually matter what Nashville seems like in entrance of him. — 17-13-0
19

Islanders
The Islanders are 4-0-1 in December, and three of these video games have gone to time beyond regulation. The Isles are tallying factors any approach they’ll as of late, and Bo Horvat has actually began to get rolling. Horvat is on a seven-game level streak with 5 objectives and 6 assists over that stretch. He has helped the Islanders grow to be a little bit of an offensive juggernaut over the previous few weeks. 4 14-7-8
20

Wild
He is likely to be extra under-the-radar than another candidates for the award, however Brock Faber is totally within the Calder Trophy race. At simply 21 years previous, Faber is taking part in protection like he is been within the NHL for a decade. Faber has performed greater than any of his teammates at five-on-five and has gotten large outcomes, together with a plus-9 objective differential and a 55.6% anticipated objectives share. Oh, and he additionally has one fewer help than Connor Bedard, Luke Hughes and Logan Cooley. 4 12-12-4
21

Coyotes
People are howling so much much less within the desert as of late. The Coyotes have now misplaced their final 4 video games, and the dynamic duo of Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller has gone ice chilly in that span. These two have mixed for only one level on this droop, and Arizona merely can not afford to have Keller and Schmaltz go quiet for any stretch of time. That is very true when Barrett Hayton and Travis Boyd are out of the lineup. 6 14-13-2
22

Senators
Tim Stützle just lately broke a five-game objective drought, and Ottawa wants him to begin hitting the mesh extra if the group goes to outscore its obtrusive goaltending issues. Stützle scored 39 objectives final season, however he is at the moment on tempo for simply 21 this yr. If Stützle can get sizzling within the goal-scoring division and the Sens can get a couple of extra saves, they may make issues extra attention-grabbing within the East. 3 11-14-0
23

Flames
It looks like Nazem Kadri has lastly began to search out his groove in Calgary. Kadri has factors in his final 5 video games, and he’s now as much as eight objectives and 14 assists on the season. That is a step in the appropriate course for a veteran participant below a microscope attributable to a giant contract. Sadly for the Flames, Kadri hasn’t been getting a ton of assist, and it seems like they are going to watch the playoffs from dwelling once more. 4 11-14-5
24

Penguins
The Penguins’ energy play has been exhausting to look at this season, particularly all through the vacation season. Since Thanksgiving, Pittsburgh has transformed on simply 7.1% of its energy performs, which is useless final within the NHL. The Pens did break by means of on the ability play towards the Coyotes on Tuesday night time, so perhaps that is the spark that unit must get going. 2 13-12-3
25

Sabres
If the Sabres are going to make any sort of run earlier than it is too late, Tage Thompson has to begin cooking. Final season, Thompson was borderline unstoppable with 47 objectives and 47 assists in 78 video games. Thompson has battled damage this yr, and he has simply seven objectives and eight assists in 20 video games. That is not unhealthy for many gamers, however Buffalo wants extra from Thompson if it is going to hit full steam at any level in 2023-24. 1 13-15-3
26

Blues
Jordan Binnington has began to chill off in a significant approach, and the Blues have fallen off because of this. St. Louis has now misplaced 4 straight video games in regulation, and Binnington has a .898 save share and -1.12 objectives saved above common in his final 4 appearances. With out Binnington taking part in out of his thoughts, the Blues can have bother successful many video games. 5 14-14-1
27

Canadiens
Juraj Slafkovsky, the previous No. 1 general choose, continues to be ready to interrupt out on the NHL degree. In his second season with the Canadiens, Slafkovsky has two objectives and 5 assists in 28 video games. Slafkovsky continues to be solely 19 years previous, so there may be loads of time for him to search out his recreation, however Montreal wants him to hit for its rebuild to actually take the subsequent step. — 12-13-4
28

Sharks
The Sharks have gone from one of many worst groups in NHL historical past to surprisingly frisky and exhilarating. They’ve performed in some back-and-forth shootouts recently, and so they scored game-tying objectives with the goaltender pulled in three consecutive video games. San Jose has some swagger, particularly after a win over the Jets, and it is likely to be price staying up late and tuning into extra of these video games. 2 9-18-3
29

Blue Jackets
Should you thought issues could not get any worse for the Blue Jackets, you’d be very unsuitable. Their captain and main scorer, Boone Jenner, is anticipated to overlook six weeks with a fractured jaw. Simply think about how candy will probably be to have Adam Fantilli and Macklin Celebrini on the identical group. — 10-16-5
30

Kraken
Vince Dunn seemed like a bona fide No. 1 defenseman final season, however he seems to have taken a step again in 2023-24. Dunn continues to be placing up factors at a good charge, however his on-ice impacts have been far much less fairly. The Kraken are simply breaking even by way of scoring probabilities and anticipated objectives with Dunn within the recreation, and he has a minus-7 objective differential at five-on-five. 2 10-14-7
31

Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are fairly horrible, and so they misplaced the battle of the Connors on Tuesday night time. That mentioned, Connor Bedard proved but once more he has what it take to be an all-world participant with one of many filthiest photographs you may ever see. Bedard modified the angle of his blade on the final second to keep away from a poke examine from Mattias Ekholm and ripped a seed over the shoulder of Stuart Skinner. Do your self a favor and go watch it ASAP. 1 9-19-1
32

Geese
Because the Geese shift their focus to the longer term, Adam Henrique’s title will in all probability come extra usually in commerce hypothesis. Henrique is within the ultimate yr of his contract, however he has gotten off to a sluggish begin this season. After scoring 22 objectives in 62 video games final yr, Henrique has simply 5 tallies in 26 video games this yr. He ought to nonetheless have some commerce worth for a playoff group seeking to enhance its center six. 1 10-19-0