Golden Knights
Create extra of an excellent factor | Solely 5 groups have a greater energy play than the Golden Knights, however just one workforce will get fewer energy play alternatives per recreation. Vegas is deadly on the person benefit, and that may solely give the workforce an even bigger edge if it could begin creating extra energy performs. I might by no means advocate for diving, however… 3 25-9-3
2

Jets
Step up when it issues | The Jets are as soon as once more among the many hottest groups within the NHL. They’ve gained 4 in a row and had been 9-4-1 within the month of December. Winnipeg is on monitor for one more wonderful common season, however that hasn’t mattered a lot within the final two years. The Jets have gotten bounced within the first spherical two occasions in a row, so they may must be at their greatest when the lights are brightest in 2025. 11 27-11-1
3

Oilers
Seize alternatives | The Oilers are fourth within the NHL in high-danger scoring possibilities per recreation (12.7), however their capturing share ranks twenty second (10.2%). If Edmonton can begin cashing in on these alternatives extra typically — as they’ve the expertise to do — it’ll begin racking up wins at an alarming charge. 2 22-12-3
4

Kings
Make a splash | The Kings have quietly been among the best groups within the league for some time now, they usually’ve managed to try this with star defenseman Drew Doughty on long-term IR. Los Angeles has performed robust two-way hockey, nevertheless it does appear to be the roster wants a bit extra firepower in an effort to get previous groups just like the Oilers. GM Rob Blake could not need to mess with an excellent factor, however I might wish to see him take an enormous swing for a scorer forward of the commerce deadline. 3 22-10-5
5

Capitals
Feed Ovechkin | The Capitals have been a nice shock, they usually’ll get their probability to do massive issues within the playoffs. Having mentioned that, their New 12 months’s decision is all about getting Alex Ovechkin forward of Wayne Gretzky on that all-time objectives listing. Simply 25 objectives to go. 2 25-10-2
6

Avalanche
Welcome newcomers | Colorado has utterly revamped its goaltending in December, and the brand new guys have been getting the job performed. Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood have mixed to save lots of 11.9 objectives above common. That duo has supplied a welcomed change and much-needed enchancment in Denver. 9 23-15-0
7

Maple Leafs
Get wholesome | This has nothing to do with food regimen and/or train. I am certain these NHL athletes are in nice form. I am referring to the Maple Leafs getting Auston Matthews again to full well being. He is been out and in of the lineup with a shoulder damage, and whereas Toronto has performed properly in his absence, it’ll want Matthews at his greatest within the playoffs. 3 23-13-2
8

Devils
Obtain full potential | If you will discover a extra full workforce than the Devils, I might like to see it. This workforce has every little thing you need in a Stanley Cup contender, and whereas it was in all probability too younger to make a real Stanley Cup run two years in the past, there’s now far more expertise on this roster. If New Jersey performs to its commonplace each evening, it will likely be lifting the Cup subsequent summer time. 7 24-14-3
9

Panthers
Keep away from complacency | Profitable a Stanley Cup is an unimaginable achievement, and I am certain the celebration that ensues can take so much out of a workforce. That mentioned, there hasn’t actually been a championship hangover for the Panthers. They have been removed from excellent, however they nonetheless look each bit like a workforce poised to repeat. That is good as a result of Florida cannot afford to relaxation on its laurels with different juggernauts within the East. 1 23-13-2
10

Wild
Search out assist | For some time, the Wild regarded like they had been simply going to roll by means of the common season, however they’ve hit a velocity bump lately. Minnesota has had hassle lighting the lamp lately. That is not a brand new subject for the workforce, nevertheless it’s nonetheless one which must be remedied. GM Invoice Guerin needs to be looking out for gamers who can assist Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldly and Marco Rossi on the high of the lineup. 8 23-11-4
11

Lightning
Attempt for longevity | By NHL requirements, the core of this Lightning workforce is not made up of spring chickens. Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, Jake Guentzel, Ryan McDonagh and Andrei Vasilevskiy are all 30 or older. That hasn’t been an issue but, however we’ll see how the Bolts maintain up because the season progresses. Personally, I will not be betting towards that bunch. 1 20-12-2
12

Stars
Discover your interior youth | Veterans like Matt Duchene, Jamie Benn and Mason Marchment have been doing a whole lot of the heavy lifting in Dallas. This roster has a lot younger potential, however these gamers have but to totally blossom. Wyatt Johnston has eight objectives after notching 33 final 12 months. Logan Stankoven is caught on 4 tallies after an unimaginable debut in 2023-24. Maverick Bourque, one of many workforce’s greatest prospects, has two objectives in 30 video games. It is time to get these three rolling. 6 22-13-1
13

Senators
Break by means of | The Senators had been one of many NHL’s greatest groups in December. They went 9-3-1 with a 51.2% anticipated objectives share, and maybe most significantly, Linus Ullmark began to spherical into type. Ottawa has had an thrilling younger core for some time now, nevertheless it hasn’t come collectively on the ice. That is perhaps altering, and a playoff berth might be on the horizon because of this. 7 19-15-2
14

Hurricanes
Rediscover confidence | Extra particularly, assist Martin Necas get his mojo again. Necas fired out of the gate wanting like a Hart Trophy contender, however he has cooled off fairly a bit. Necas hasn’t scored in his final 11 video games, and he has recorded one level in his final seven. With out Necas contributing, Carolina has been unable to string collectively wins in bunches. 3 22-13-2
15

Canucks
Keep away from toxicity | I am not completely certain what’s been occurring behind the scenes in Vancouver this season, however one thing has positively been amiss. The Canucks have not performed to their potential but, and some key gamers have underperformed. Possibly Rick Tocchet must burn some sage within the locker room or one thing. This workforce is simply too proficient to flounder like this. 6 17-11-8
16

Bruins
Discover your middle | I imply this very actually. The Bruins simply aren’t superb down the center of the ice. Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle are extra suited to depth roles, which might be nice if Elias Lindholm was enjoying at a excessive stage. As an alternative, Boston’s massive free agent acquisition is not even on tempo for 41 factors. The middle place remains to be a problem following Patrice Bergeron’s retirement. — 20-15-4
17

Blues
Out with the previous, in with the brand new | There have already been modifications in St. Louis this 12 months. Drew Bannister was fired and changed with Jim Montgomery. There’ll in all probability be extra modifications down the street, so long as GM Doug Armstrong is keen to jettison some veterans and embrace youthful expertise. He is already proven a willingness to try this when he signed ex-Oilers Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg to supply sheets final summer time. 1 18-17-4
18

Penguins
Defend your self | The Penguins may use a bit extra spine. No workforce permits objectives at a better charge than Pittsburgh, and solely six groups enable anticipated objectives at a better charge. To make issues worse, the tandem of Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic has been a catastrophe in objective. The Penguins have to start out defending higher if they will attain the playoffs. 1 17-17-5
19

Hockey Membership
Discover your lacking piece | Utah is a younger workforce on the rise, and whereas the workforce in all probability will not win massive this season, I might nonetheless wish to see strikes that set the franchise up for fulfillment within the close to future. Buffalo’s Dylan Cozens or Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras can be actually thrilling additions to a younger core that is beginning to discover itself. 5 16-15-6
20

Flames
Resist temptation | Calgary simply retains choosing up factors within the standings, and it stays in a playoff spot. If that established order holds because the commerce deadline nears, GM Craig Conroy is perhaps tempted so as to add a chunk or two, however he should resist. The surprising success is an effective signal, however the Flames are nonetheless a rebuilding workforce. They should retain future belongings and add to their prospect pool. 3 18-12-7
21

Flyers
Maintain intruders out | The goaltending scenario is impossibly dangerous in Philadelphia. Samuel Ersson, Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov have all began for the Flyers. None of them have a save share wherever close to .900, they usually’ve mixed to permit almost 22 objectives above common. Anybody and everyone seems to be placing the puck in Philly’s internet proper now. — 17-17-4
22

Blue Jackets
Sustain the combat | In opposition to all odds, the Blue Jackets are within the thick of the wild card race within the East. They’re simply two factors out of a playoff spot, and whereas their five-on-five play has dipped, it is from horrible. Columbus has exceeded expectations so far, they usually’ve been a troublesome out each evening. If they will maintain that rolling within the second half, they’re going to be enjoying significant hockey in March and April. 3 16-16-6
23

Kraken
Make wiser investments | To their credit score, the Kraken had been one of many groups that stepped up and spent massive in free company final 12 months. Sadly, spending simply to spend is not normally an excellent technique. Chandler Stephenson, signed for seven years and almost $44 million, has been a significant disappointment. Brandon Montour, signed for seven years and $50 million, has performed properly however hasn’t reached the heights he did in Florida. 4 17-19-2
24

Islanders
Be particular | In a means, the Islanders’ particular groups have been very “particular” this 12 months, however not in a means they need. The Isles are lifeless final on the ability play (11.2%) and the penalty kill (63.9%). That’s really wonderful stuff, and it is costing the workforce worthwhile factors within the playoff race. If they will simply be semi-competent on particular groups within the second half, the Isles may make a playoff push. — 14-17-7
25

Canadiens
Take the following step | The Habs and their followers have been ready for this rebuild to take the following step, and it looks as if that is perhaps occurring now. The Canadiens have rattled off three straight wins and at the moment are 7-3-0 of their final 10. Montreal nonetheless has an extended solution to go, however this does appear to be progress. Cole Caufield is cruising towards a profession 12 months, Lane Hutson is placing up numbers within the offensive finish and Sam Montembeault has been surprisingly good in internet given the defensive mess in entrance of him. 4 17-17-3
26

Geese
Develop | The Geese’ rebuild has additionally stagnated, and it is time for a few of their key children to indicate some development. Proper now, veterans like Troy Terry, Frank Vatrano and Ryan Strome are carrying the workforce. Sooner or later, potential stars like Mason McTavish and Pavel Mintyukov might want to take over. 2 15-17-4
27

Crimson Wings
Maintain your nostril clear | The Crimson Wings’ penalty kill is ranked thirty first (69.6%), so it is crucial that they keep out of the penalty field. Detroit is not almost adequate at stopping the puck to be giving opponents energy play alternatives. It has been a wrestle for the Wings in each space, however they will alleviate their penalty kill woes by staying out of hassle. 5 15-18-4
28

Sabres
Neglect struggles of the previous | A technique or one other, the Sabres must put their previous behind them. Sadly, it appears too late for Buffalo to finish its playoff drought this 12 months. The workforce must construct momentum the remainder of the way in which and have a robust offseason so the franchise can lastly get again to the postseason in 2026. 4 14-20-4
29

Predators
Obtain objectives | Scoring objectives is a key ingredient to profitable hockey video games, and the Predators are very dangerous at it. Their 91 tallies are tied for the least within the league, they’ve already been shutout six occasions and Filip Forsberg hasn’t scored in over a month. Some objectives would go a great distance towards getting this workforce out of the basement. 2 11-20-7
30

Blackhawks
Determine causes for hope | It is in all probability honest to say the Blackhawks are even worse than anticipated this season, so they should discover some hope for the longer term, particularly after getting blasted within the Winter Traditional. Possibly that hope is within the type of Connor Bedard exhibiting some emotion and management after a dismal exhibiting at Wrigley Discipline. — 12-24-2
31

Rangers
Cleanse | The Rangers must go on a juice cleanse or a water cleanse or one thing. No workforce within the league has worse vibes than them. Gamers know they’re on the commerce block. The world-class goaltender is harm. They could wrestle to defend a beer league workforce. This downward spiral by a Cup contender must be studied by scientists of all types. 5 16-19-1
32

Sharks
Put together for the longer term | The Sharks have been fairly plucky, however they’re nonetheless a step or two or three behind most opponents. That is OK. They need to be contemplating they’re nonetheless within the early phases of a rebuild. That simply means GM Mike Grier must do some promoting within the coming months to stockpile extra attainable franchise cornerstones. 5 11-23-6