Golden Knights
Good | After profitable a Stanley Cup in Vegas, it is most likely solely human nature to let your self bask within the championship hangover. Nobody would have blamed the Golden Knights for a sluggish begin in 2023-24, however they refocused and acquired proper again to work on opening night time. Vegas did undergo a slight lull lately, however the staff has returned to wagon standing and the highest spot in these energy rankings. 3 21-8-5
2

Rangers
Good | The Rangers have lived as much as preseason expectations to this point, and so they have accomplished so by overcoming middling five-on-five numbers with an elite energy play and goaltending. There may be nothing like consistency, and you’ll financial institution on that from the blueshirts. On high of the staff’s success total, the Rangers have additionally revitalized the profession of veteran netminder Jonathan Fast, who has been good in New York. — 22-7-1
3

Canucks
Naughty | Vancouver has been one of many largest surprises of the 2023-24 season, and it’s in competition for the Pacific Division title. Usually, that might earn them a spot on the great listing, however the Canucks have been bullying groups this 12 months. Their plus-44 aim differential in 2023-24 leads the league, and it means they’ve been smoking groups frequently. Present some mercy this vacation season, Vancouver. 2 22-9-3
4

Kings
Naughty | That is the season of giving, and the Kings should not feeling terribly beneficiant this season. A mix of stable staff protection and stellar goaltending from Cam Talbot has resulted in Los Angeles permitting simply 68 objectives in 28 video games. The Kings are stingier than Ebenezer Scrooge, and whereas that will not get them on the great listing, it does put them in competition for one more Stanley Cup. 1 18-7-4
5

Bruins
Good | After one other offseason that consisted of key losses and restricted wage cap area, the Bruins are again to contending for first place within the Atlantic Division. David Pastrnak appears like a Hart Trophy candidate, and the goaltending tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman warms chilly hearts all through New England. Santa can pay a go to to TD Backyard regardless of Brad Marchand’s status. 4 19-5-6
6

Jets
Good | Head coach Rick Bowness had some harsh criticism for his staff following their first-round playoff exit final season, and it looks like the Jets took these phrases to coronary heart. Winnipeg made a pair large adjustments within the offseason, and the staff has responded with a powerful begin. The Jets are actually only one level out of first place within the Central Division, and so they appear to be a powerful drive within the West. 1 19-9-3
7

Stars
Naughty | Greed just isn’t a very good high quality to have, and the Stars have it in spades. They’ve determined to hoard expert forwards inside their group, and people forwards have displayed greed of their very own. Proper now, Dallas has 9 gamers on tempo for 20 objectives. The Stars have high-end ability, and so they have depth. When will it ever be sufficient? Avoid wasting for the remainder of the league. 1 19-8-4
8

Flyers
Good | The Flyers have been capable of overcome John Tortorella’s foul mouth and quick mood to get on Santa’s good listing. Philadelphia was anticipated by many, together with me, to be one of many NHL’s worst groups this season. As an alternative, the Flyers stay one of many East’s finest groups whereas additionally producing spectacular five-on-five metrics. The Flyers are lifting spirits round Philly throughout making an attempt occasions for the Eagles. 3 18-11-3
9

Maple Leafs
Good | The Maple Leafs have been poorly behaved for a lot of the 12 months, however they heard “All I Need For Christmas Is You” taking part in over the division retailer audio system and determined to get their act collectively. Toronto has earned not less than one level in each recreation however one this month, and it’s six factors behind Boston within the Atlantic Division. The Leafs turned issues round simply in time to get a brand new Mats Sundin sweater underneath the tree. 1 16-8-6
10

Panthers
Good | If the Panthers thought they may escape the Elf on the Shelf on this highway journey to the Pacific Northwest, they had been sorely mistaken. Santa is properly conscious that Florida has been outscored 6-12 of their 4 video games with Christmas lower than every week away. For now, the Panthers will stay on the great listing due to their sturdy play earlier within the season, however this week will go a great distance in figuring out whether or not St. Nick visits Dawn. 4 18-12-2
11

Avalanche
Good | The Avalanche are type sufficient to ensure they provide their followers a present each night time with a 12-4-0 document at dwelling. Not solely are the Avs profitable these video games, however they’re doing so in dominant vogue with a plus-24 aim differential at Ball Enviornment. That is what occurs when gamers like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are flying round and taking part in on the high of their recreation. Colorado appears prefer it’s on a mission after an early playoff exit final season. 2 20-11-2
12

Islanders
Good | Only a few weeks in the past, Islanders followers had been chanting for head coach Lane Lambert to lose his job. Not wanting their head coach to be out of the job proper earlier than Christmas, the Islanders have picked issues up significantly. The Isles are 6-1-2 in December, and so they have climbed into third place within the Metro Division. Over that stretch, Lambert’s seat has cooled down fairly a bit. 7 15-8-9
13

Predators
Naughty | The Predators have performed above expectations this season, and they’re 13-4-0 of their final 17 video games. Usually, that might be a simple admission onto the great listing, however there is only one drawback. Nashville is second within the NHL in main penalties with 14. In an period the place combating has largely been phased out of the sport, the Preds nonetheless spend a variety of time within the sin bin. They, together with anybody who has ever set foot on a celebration tractor, will probably be getting coal this 12 months. 5 19-14-0
14

Hurricanes
Naughty | The Hurricanes have dedicated one of many largest missteps doable: They’ve made individuals like me look silly. I assumed Carolina was a bona fide Stanley Cup risk earlier than the season began, but it surely hasn’t precisely performed out that manner. The Canes have encountered severe consistency and goaltending points, leaving them combating for a wild-card spot. For the document, this staff remains to be a Cup contender so long as it will get the goaltending sorted out. 2 17-12-4
15

Devils
Naughty | New Jersey has not carried out as much as its potential this season, however that’s not the one cause the staff is on the naughty listing this 12 months. Whereas the Devils haven’t gotten good outcomes this season, their energy play has been firing on all cylinders. They’ve transformed on 31.3% of their energy play alternatives, which is tied for first within the NHL. Discuss kicking somebody after they’re down. Fairly thoughtless stuff from the Devils, when you ask me. 1 16-13-2
16

Oilers
Good | Frankly, I am as shocked as anybody that the Oilers are on the great listing after the begin to the season they’d. Nevertheless, the vibes round this staff have fully modified over the previous few weeks. Connor McDavid has gotten his groove again, and the staff has gotten competent goaltending. That is like when the Grinch’s coronary heart grew three sizes, prompting him to save lots of the Christmas he himself ruined. 3 14-15-1
17

Lightning
Good | For years, the Lightning have been a thorn within the aspect of the remainder of the league. They had been back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 2020 and 2021, and so they went to the Stanley Cup Remaining in 2022. Nevertheless, Tampa Bay appears prefer it’s prepared to provide different groups an opportunity these days. It helped the Maple Leafs get the first-round monkey off their backs final spring, and it appears just like the Bolts would possibly bow out of the playoff area solely in 2024. 2 16-13-5
18

Wild
Naughty | Minnesota had hopes of reaching the playoffs this season, however these are in jeopardy after a horrible begin that acquired Dean Evason fired. One of many Wild’s points is that they proceed to be one of the crucial penalized groups within the NHL even supposing they’ve the Thirty first-ranked penalty kill. You assume that might encourage extra self-discipline, however that hasn’t actually occurred but. 2 14-13-4
19

Coyotes
Good | The scenario within the desert has been fairly bleak over the previous few years, and Coyotes followers have taken it on the chin for some time. Issues have modified in 2023-24, although. Arizona now has some entertaining younger gamers on the ice, and the staff has determined so as to add legit hockey gamers as an alternative of merely being a dumping floor for contracts. Now, the Yotes are in a playoff spot, and so they’ve given their followers actual causes to be optimistic. 2 17-13-2
20

Capitals
Naughty | Capitals proprietor Ted Leonsis lately introduced plans to maneuver the staff throughout the river into Virginia in hopes of, properly, making extra money. I assume that transfer will include a reputation change as a result of, final time I checked, the U.S. capital just isn’t Alexandria, Virginia. The staff will not be terribly removed from its present location, however dropping a latest Stanley Cup winner is hard for D.C. 3 17-9-4
21

Pink Wings
Naughty | Detroit has been just a little bit deceitful this season. The Pink Wings got here out of the gates sizzling and gave followers hope that this may be the 12 months they ended their playoff drought. The staff created much more pleasure when it signed Patrick Kane earlier this month. Then, the Wings pulled the rug out from underneath everybody. Detroit has gone 1-5-1 since including Kane, and it has fallen out of a playoff spot. At the least the Lions are going sturdy. 7 15-13-4
22

Flames
Naughty | Idiot me as soon as, disgrace on you. Idiot me twice, disgrace on me. The Flames have now fooled me two years in a row, however I’ll nonetheless select to put the blame on them. After Calgary fired Darryl Sutter final offseason, I assumed the staff might make the playoffs in 2023-24. That is not completely out of the query, however one thing is clearly nonetheless damaged with the Flames, and so they do not have a lot monetary flexibility after signing large offers lately. 1 14-14-5
23

Penguins
Good | It has been a irritating season on the gridiron for the Pittsburgh Steelers, however the Penguins have kindly accomplished their finest to take some warmth off their NFL neighbors. Pittsburgh tried to increase its Stanley Cup window with the addition of star defenseman Erik Karlsson, however the staff remains to be sitting exterior the playoffs lower than every week earlier than Christmas. The Pens have accomplished a pleasant job attracting some criticism from followers on the six days every week the Steelers should not taking part in. 1 15-13-3
24

Blues
Good | Instantly after the firing of Craig Berube, Blues star Jordan Kyrou had some seemingly callous phrases about his former coach. That acquired him booed the next recreation, and Kyrou was clearly affected by the chilly reception. The subsequent day trip, Kyrou performed properly and acquired a rousing ovation from the St. Louis followers. It was a heartwarming vacation story of redemption and rebuilding bridges. 2 16-15-1
25

Canadiens
Good | It may be straightforward to benefit from somebody after they have one arm tied behind their again, however the Canadiens have chosen to take it straightforward on the much less lucky. This season, Montreal has transformed on simply 18.0% of its energy performs, and it has surrendered six shorthanded objectives. The Habs have been extremely giving when their opponents are a person down. 2 14-13-5
26

Sabres
Naughty | The Sabres have the longest lively postseason drought within the NHL, and so they did one thing horrible this season. They gave their followers hope and snatched it away nearly instantly. Buffalo had such an encouraging 2022-23 season, and there was cause to imagine that it might take one other large step ahead this 12 months. As an alternative, the Sabres fell flat on their face proper out of the gate, and their playoff chances are high already minuscule. 1 14-17-3
27

Senators
Naughty | Right here we’ve got one other Atlantic Division staff that had its fan base fired up on opening night time. The Sens have collected a variety of younger ability gamers, and so they made notable additions in free company. Just like the Sabres, the Senators had been poised to flip the division on its head, however they’re now 5 video games beneath .500 and simply fired their head coach. 5 11-17-0
28

Blue Jackets
Naughty | The Blue Jackets’ resolution to rent Mike Babcock as their subsequent head coach is sufficient to get them on the naughty listing, even when he by no means coached a recreation for the franchise as a result of he could not assist however revert to his previous methods proper after getting the job. Between that and a horrible on-ice product, it is all coal in Columbus this Christmas. 1 11-17-6
29

Geese
Naughty | The Geese began this season with some encouraging performances, however they’ve since fallen off a cliff. Santa might forgive that, however what cannot be forgiven is the truth that Anaheim is essentially the most penalized staff within the league by a large margin. The Geese have taken 179 penalties, and the subsequent closest staff is the Wild at 143. That a lot time within the field is an efficient recipe for coal. 3 12-20-0
30

Sharks
Good | Within the season of giving, no staff has been extra beneficiant than the Sharks. They’re the alternative of the Kings. If a staff is in a scoring drought or sure gamers wish to pad their stats, San Jose is there for them. The Sharks have allowed 128 objectives this season, which is essentially the most within the NHL, and that most likely will not change anytime quickly. 2 9-21-3
31

Kraken
Naughty | The Kraken have actually been taking part in with individuals’s feelings of their first three years of existence. In its inaugural season, Seattle was one of many worst groups within the NHL regardless of the favorable enlargement draft guidelines. Final 12 months, the Kraken defied expectations by reaching the postseason and beating the defending champion Colorado Avalanche. Then when expectations had been raised for the group, the Kraken have taken up residence within the league’s basement once more in 2023-24. 1 11-14-9
32

Blackhawks
Good | Chicago is probably the worst staff within the NHL as soon as once more, and the staff has already handled an off-ice scandal. Having mentioned that, it is exhausting to not love Connor Bedard. The 2023 No. 1 total choose has been wonderful, and he is likely to be the one cause to look at Blackhawks hockey this 12 months. He’s the saving grace within the Windy Metropolis. 1 10-20-1