Panthers
Vladimir Tarasenko is already paying dividends for his new group. In Saturday’s win over the Flyers, Tarasenko notched a purpose and two assists. If Florida can maintain getting that degree of manufacturing out of Tarasenko, it is going to be borderline unfair for the group’s playoff opponents. The Panthers now have a top-six that consists of Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett and Tarasenko. It does not get significantly better than that. — 45-17-4
2

Rangers
On Monday evening, Mika Zibanejad scored his first five-on-five purpose in 31 video games. The Rangers have been capable of outperform their five-on-five numbers all through the common season in the previous few years, but it surely can’t afford for Zibanejad to go that chilly within the postseason. The excellent news is Artemi Panarin has been glorious at five-on-five this 12 months, so he has been capable of masks a few of Zibanejad’s struggles. 2 43-18-4
3

Hurricanes
For many of the season, it appeared just like the Hurricanes must improve their goaltending sooner or later, however they selected to maintain issues regular via the deadline. It is easy to see why too. During the last month, Pyotr Kochetkov has saved 6.19 targets above common, and Frederik Andersen simply returned from a blood-clotting concern. If Carolina can get saves on a constant foundation, the group goes to be actually scary within the postseason. 3 39-20-6
4

Stars
It is previous time to focus on Logan Stankoven, who has been nothing wanting good since being known as up in late February. The previous No. 47 total decide has 5 targets and three assists in 9 video games, and he is making the NHL look straightforward. Past that, Dallas has managed 68.0% of the anticipated targets with Stankoven on the ice at five-on-five. The thought of the Stars including one other bona fide stud to their lineup has to make the remainder of the West shudder. 5 40-18-9
5

Jets
During the last couple of months, Nikolaj Ehlers has gone somewhat chilly within the goal-scoring division. Since Jan. 22, Ehlers has discovered the again of the web simply 3 times in 20 video games. Ehlers was cooking earlier within the season, however that simply hasn’t been the case of late, and it might need one thing to do with a considerably lowered function. Ehlers can be taking pictures 6.25% throughout this quiet stretch, and I’ve to imagine that will not proceed. 3 41-18-5
6

Oilers
Connor McDavid will not be of the human species. Final week, he hit the 100-point mark for the seventh time in his profession and the fourth consecutive season. No participant has reached 100 factors in a minimum of 4 straight seasons since Steve Yzerman and Brett Hull did it in 1992-93. Not unhealthy firm to maintain. After shaking off an early-season harm, McDavid appears to be like decided to carry the Stanley Cup again to Edmonton. 3 39-21-3
7

Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon loves nothing greater than taking part in in Ball Area this season. Within the midst of his Hart Trophy marketing campaign, MacKinnon has recorded a minimum of one level in every of Colorado’s 32 residence video games. Within the Avs’ three-game residence stand final week, MacKinnon went above and past by recording three targets and 7 assists because the group went 3-0-0. House-ice benefit does not often imply a lot within the NHL playoffs, but it surely may make a distinction with the way in which the Avalanche have performed in Denver this 12 months. — 41-20-5
8

Maple Leafs
As is often the case, the Maple Leafs are an incredibly top-heavy group up entrance. Toronto has 4 gamers on the 20-goal mark, and Auston Matthews is on tempo to hit 70. Exterior of these 4, nonetheless, targets are a lot more durable to return by. The subsequent main scorer is Tyler Bertuzzi, who’s on monitor to complete the season with 15. The query for the Leafs is whether or not that star energy can drive them on a deep run. All it might take is for a few them to go chilly on the fallacious time, and the season is over. 3 37-19-8
9

Canucks
Vancouver endured a troublesome skid on the finish of February, however the group has gotten again on monitor in March. The Canucks have now received 4 straight video games, and Quinn Hughes has gotten sizzling once more. Hughes has a purpose and 5 assists in his final 4 video games, and he has helped give Vancouver a commanding 10-point lead within the Pacific Division. Successful the West shall be important for playoff seeding, and the Canucks are within the driver’s seat to just do that. 2 42-17-7
10

Bruins
Hampus Lindholm is having an amazing season on the Bruins’ blue line. Lindholm’s contributions do not often present up on the scoresheet, however he has been a superb shutdown defenseman for Boston. With Lindholm on the ice at five-on-five, Boston has managed 52.7% of the anticipated targets and boasts a plus-19 purpose differential. Now 30 years outdated, Lindholm has proven no indicators of slowing down. — 38-14-15
11

Predators
Rookie Luke Evangelista has scored in three straight video games and now has 14 targets on the season, which ranks fifth amongst all rookie skaters. Evangelista additionally owns a 53.6% anticipated targets share at five-on-five. The previous second-round decide has solely gotten extra comfy beneath first-year head coach Andrew Brunette and is beginning to appear like a key a part of Nashville’s future. 1 37-25-4
12

Kings
The Pierre-Luc Dubois Experiment continues to go considerably poorly in Los Angeles. Dubois has only one purpose and one help in his final 10 video games, and the Kings proceed to rank within the backside half of the NHL in targets scored. For Los Angeles to push previous the primary spherical of the postseason this 12 months, Dubois must take his sport to the subsequent degree. Dubois has elevated his sport within the playoffs earlier than (see: 2019). 1 33-20-11
13

Golden Knights
Vegas made headlines on the NHL commerce deadline, and when everyone seems to be wholesome, the roster is the very best within the NHL. The difficulty is that everybody will not be wholesome. Alec Martinez, Mark Stone and Tomas Hertl are among the many gamers presently sidelined as a result of harm. On the ice, the Golden Knights proceed to spin their wheels, they usually have slipped to the second wild card spot within the West. Vegas is sort of definitely playoff sure, however work nonetheless must be carried out. 3 35-23-7
14

Islanders
The Islanders only in the near past had their six-game level streak snapped by the Kings, however they’ve all of the sudden thrust themselves proper again into the thick of the Jap Convention playoff race. The Isles are sitting within the second wild card spot with a sport in hand over the imploding Pink Wings. Patrick Roy might have rallied the troops simply in time. 4 29-21-14
15

Lightning
In what is likely to be his remaining season with the Lightning, Steven Stamkos has taken a notable step backward, particularly at five-on-five. With Stamkos on the ice in these conditions, the Bolts have a 47.0% anticipated targets share and have been outscored 50-35. Stamkos has nonetheless been capable of produce on offense, however has been completely unable to drive play this season. — 34-25-6
16

Flyers
During the last month, the Flyers’ have come again all the way down to Earth, a minimum of when it comes to their outcomes. Philly has nonetheless been a stable group at five-on-five, however its PDO ranks among the many NHL’s worst since Feb. 12. That has loads to do with some poor goaltending from Samuel Ersson. He hasn’t been as sharp as he was earlier within the season, and Ersson has allowed 3.07 targets above common in his final 11 appearances. 1 34-24-8
17

Pink Wings
The Pink Wings have been outperforming some regarding underlying five-on-five numbers all season, and it seems the opposite shoe has dropped. The Pink Wings have now misplaced six straight video games in regulation whereas getting outscored 32-11 over that stretch. The newest loss was a 7-3 drilling by the hands of the Sabres. Detroit wasn’t lively on the NHL commerce deadline, and that was for the very best. This group is not able to contend but. 9 33-26-6
18

Wild
Credit score the place credit score is due. The Wild refuse to go away within the Western Convention playoff race. Recently, Kirill Kaprizov has been working his magic for Minnesota. He has seven targets and three targets in his final 5 video games, and the Wild personal the sport when Kaprizov is on the ice. If he retains taking part in like this — and John Hynes retains pulling the goalie in OT — Minnesota shall be a group to look at down the stretch. 3 32-27-7
19

Kraken
Jordan Eberle simply obtained a two-year contract extension forward of the commerce deadline, and it was well-deserved. Eberle will get near scoring 20 targets once more this season, and his five-on-five impacts have been excellent. Eberle’s plus-17 purpose differential at full energy is well the very best amongst Seattle’s forwards. Eberle may even be an awesome participant to have within the locker room because the Kraken proceed to construct towards being a Cup contender. — 28-24-12
20

Flames
Calgary did an admirable job to stay within the playoff race whereas additionally promoting off key gamers, however it could be operating out of steam now. The Flames are actually 1-3-0 of their final 4 video games, and that primarily buries their postseason probabilities. At the least the group has lastly dedicated to a brand new path, and it now has some belongings to play with because the rebuilding effort begins in earnest. 6 31-29-5
21

Capitals
The Capitals selected to dump on the commerce deadline. They’ve given up the playoff ghost. Now, it is time to give attention to one factor and one factor solely. Get Alex Ovechkin each second of energy play and empty-net ice time for the remainder of the season. Ovi is 54 targets behind Wayne Gretzky for the all-time file and a robust end may put the file inside attain for subsequent season. 1 30-24-9
22

Sabres
Bowen Byram has been nothing wanting nice since coming over from the Avalanche within the commerce that despatched Casey Mittelstadt the opposite method. Not solely did Byram rating in his Sabres debut on March 7, however he added two extra targets in opposition to the Pink Wings on Tuesday. Byram appears to be like proper at residence in Buffalo, and his ceiling is sky excessive. The Sabres may look again fondly on that commerce a couple of years from now. 1 31-30-5
23

Blues
St. Louis went to The Massive Apple and misplaced three video games by a mixed rating of 12-3. On Monday, the Blues went to Boston and beat the Bruins soundly, 5-1. That is been the season for the Blues thus far. Flashes of promise surrounded by really putrid performances. At the least Jordan Binnington has performed effectively this season after a few down years. 2 33-29-3
24

Devils
New Jersey is 1-5-0 in March, however there may be some excellent news: GM Tom Fitzgerald did make modifications in purpose. The unhealthy information is that these modifications included bringing in Jake Allen and Kaapo Kahkonen. Add within the transfer that despatched Tyler Toffoli to the Jets, and it is clear the Devils have accepted their destiny this season. Now sitting behind Buffalo within the standings, New Jersey will set its sights on rebounding in 2024-25. 2 31-30-4
25

Penguins
Frankly, it is simply unhappy watching the Penguins nowadays. Sidney Crosby and Co. aren’t going to the playoffs, and now they cannot purchase a purpose. Pittsburgh has scored a whopping 11 targets in seven video games this month, and the group has been shut out twice in its final 4 video games. Crosby hasn’t scored in his final 9 video games. Evgeni Malkin has two targets in his final 19 video games. Simply miserable. 1 28-27-9
26

Canadiens
I assumed the Canadiens can be comparatively quiet on commerce deadline day, they usually have been for essentially the most half. Nevertheless, GM Kent Hughes by some means managed to get a conditional third-round decide from the Devils in trade for goalie Jake Allen. Touchdown that sort of return for a netminder who has allowed 8.07 targets above common and has posted a save proportion of .892 on the years is sweet enterprise. 3 25-30-10
27

Blue Jackets
The 2023-24 season has been an absolute slog in Columbus, however there may be a minimum of one purpose for hope. The Russian Line that includes Kirill Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov and Yegor Chinakov has been lots of enjoyable to look at just lately. These three have labored effectively collectively when Pascal Vincent has chosen to go along with that trio, they usually’ve mixed for 50 targets in 2023-24. That is one thing to construct upon for the Jackets. 1 22-33-10
28

Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have sort of been the kings of the NHL’s basement during the last week. Of their final 4 video games, they’ve overwhelmed the Coyotes twice and the Geese as soon as. In these video games, Chicago blasted them by a mixed rating of 19-8. Within the final two video games, back-to-back seven-goal performances, Connor Bedard has eaten with three targets and 5 assists. 4 18-43-5
29

Coyotes
One purpose for the Coyotes’ drop-off is a brutal chilly streak from Lawson Crouse. His purpose hunch has now reached 12 video games, and Crouse has simply three assists in that stretch. It has been a nightmare stretch for Crouse, who has developed right into a heart-and-soul participant for the Yotes. At this level, Crouse simply has to give attention to ending the season on a excessive word. 1 26-35-5
30

Senators
Congratulations to the Senators, a group that simply snapped its seven-game dropping streak in opposition to a Penguins group that could not hit a soccer internet proper now. The Sens held off on any main strikes on the commerce deadline, however after this disappointing season, we’ll see if there may be extra of a shake-up in the summertime. 2 26-33-4
31

Geese
Anaheim has been impressively unhealthy in its final three video games. In that stretch, the Geese have gotten their doorways blown off by the Stars, Islanders and Geese. The mixed rating of these contests was 19-5. Woof. The common season cannot finish quickly sufficient for Anaheim. 4 23-39-3
32

Sharks
The return on the Tomas Hertl deal may appear underwhelming, however getting out from beneath 83% of his contract was a win for the Sharks. They want flexibility and premium future belongings. They obtained each of these by sending Hertl to their Pacific Division rivals. 1 16-41-7