Stars
Offense is a group effort in Dallas. The Stars’ depth is as soon as once more proving to be the perfect within the NHL with a number of traces able to placing the puck within the web recurrently. Seven gamers are scoring at a 20-goal tempo, and Wyatt Johnston simply misses the lower at 10 objectives in 42 video games. Within the postseason, opposing defenses will not be capable to hone in on one or two traces as a result of everybody within the Stars lineup is able to lighting the lamp. 5 28-14-1
2

Oilers
Overlook the loaded stat sheet. Leon Draisaitl is doing preposterous issues at five-on-five each single night time. In his over 700 minutes of ice-time in these conditions, Draisaitl owns a 62.0% anticipated objectives share, and the Oilers are outscoring opponents at a price of almost 2-to-1. Proper now, Draisaitl is on tempo for his second Hart Trophy. 1 28-13-3
3

Avalanche
When the Avalanche acquired Casey Mittelstadt final season, I assumed he could be an incredible match for them, however that hasn’t been the case. As a substitute of giving Colorado stability within the second-line middle spot, he is been getting caved in at five-on-five. With Mittelstadt on the ice in these conditions, Colorado has a minus-8 purpose differential and a 42.7% anticipated objectives share. 1 27-17-1
4

Golden Knights
Vegas is a Western Convention powerhouse, nevertheless it might nonetheless use a bit extra out of William Karlsson, who has struggled offensively. Karlsson has seven objectives in 34 video games, and he hasn’t scored in his final 10 video games. In actual fact, he has simply three assists in that span. General, Wild Invoice is on the way in which to his least productive season in a couple of years. 3 29-12-3
5

Kings
Los Angeles hasn’t performed in a sport that includes greater than three whole objectives since Dec. 29. As spectacular because the group’s protection is, it does want to search out extra on the different finish of the ice. The most important concern proper now’s Kevin Fiala, who hasn’t recorded a single level within the final 5 video games, and he hasn’t notched an help since Dec. 7. The Kings want him to raise his sport to contend for a Cup. 3 24-12-5
6

Jets
On Tuesday night time, Kyle Connor recorded a pure hat trick earlier than the Canucks might even blink. Connor scored the sport’s first three objectives in simply 13:37, marking the second-fastest hat trick in Jets/Thrashers historical past. Connor is now as much as 26 objectives in 45 video games, placing him on tempo for the perfect goal-scoring season of his already spectacular profession. 2 30-12-3
7

Capitals
Tom Wilson appears to have revived his profession after which some. Wilson has 19 objectives in 43 video games, that means he is on observe for 36. Wilson, now 30, hasn’t even scored greater than 24 in a single season. He is been very good for the Capitals, and his 55.5% anticipated objectives share at five-on-five is simply extra proof that that is no fluke. 2 29-10-5
8

Wild
With this being his final NHL season, let’s give a nod to the legendary Marc-Andre Fleury. In a backup position behind Filip Gustavsson, Fleury is within the midst of a bounce-back marketing campaign. Fleury boasts a .910 save proportion and has posted 3.18 objectives saved above common. That is an enormous enchancment from the place Fleury was presently final season, when he was towards the underside of the NHL in each classes. 1 27-14-4
9

Hurricanes
Jack Roslovic, whose profession excessive is 22 objectives in a single season, at present leads the Hurricanes with 17 objectives. To start with, that is a testomony to how effectively Roslovic has adjusted to his new surroundings in Carolina. He is thriving below Rod Brind’Amour. Alternatively, it is also a reminder that Martin Necas has one purpose in his final 18 video games after notching 14 in 26 video games to begin the season. 1 26-16-3
10

Panthers
The Panthers have only a few weaknesses (duh), however they have not precisely been impenetrable between the pipes. Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight have mixed to permit 3.73 objectives above common. These two do not have to be elite for Florida to repeat as Cup champs, however Florida wants a bit bit greater than what they’ve proven thus far. 1 26-16-3
11

Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner is taking part in like prime John Stockton for the Maple Leafs. He is been shelling out helpers left and proper, and now he’s on observe for 83 assists. Marner has at all times been an elite playmaker, however he is by no means come near averaging an help per sport. Marner has been the WD-40 retaining the gears of this Leafs offense turning. 6 27-16-2
12

Devils
For the reason that Christmas break, Timo Meier has only one purpose and one help. It has been a irritating hunch for Meier, who regarded like he had figured it out in New Jersey by way of the primary 36 video games. Regardless of the sagging stats, Meier’s five-on-five impacts stay a few of the finest on all the group, so he’s doing different issues to contribute. — 26-15-5
13

Lightning
With a cap hit of $6.5 million per season, Brandon Hagel is perhaps one of many extra underrated bargains round. He is already as much as 20 objectives and 28 assists on the season, and people totals put him on tempo for 93 factors. That might be an 18-point enchancment over his spectacular 2023-24 marketing campaign, and he has picked up a few of the offensive slack left behind by Steven Stamkos. 2 23-16-3
14

Canadiens
I feel the Canadiens are formally an issue. Since Dec. 17, Montreal is 10-2-1, which is the perfect file within the NHL over that span. That file isn’t the results of some good puck luck both. The Habs have managed 51.6% of the anticipated objectives over this stretch, and the group protection has taken a transparent step ahead. Whether or not Montreal can maintain this stage of play stays to be seen, however it’s a enjoyable group to observe. 5 21-18-4
15

Crimson Wings
For the reason that Christmas break ended, Patrick Kane and the Crimson Wings have been on a heater. Over that span, Kane has 5 objectives and eight assists. Simply as importantly, Lucas Raymond has discovered his sport with 5 objectives and 9 assists. It is not a coincidence Detroit is 7-2-0 in its final 9, and the group is correct again within the midst of a muddy East playoff race. 5 20-19-4
16

Blues
One of many offseason’s greatest blunders might need been the Oilers letting the Blues pluck Dylan Holloway from proper below their noses. Holloway, in his third NHL season, has been a bona fide top-six ahead for St. Louis. His 15 objectives are second on the group, and his 32 factors are good for third. Holloway has been an amazing addition for the Blues. 3 21-20-4
17

Senators
The Grinch stole Christmas and the Senators’ skill to place the puck within the web. Ottawa could not be stopped heading into the vacation break, and now it might’t purchase a purpose. The Sens have scored simply 19 objectives in 9 video games since Christmas, and their depth scoring has fully fallen by the wayside. 3 22-18-3
18

Blue Jackets
I’ve written about Zach Werenksi already this season, however I have to take one other take a look at what he is doing. Due to 4 objectives in his final six video games, Werenski has 15 objectives in 44 video games. He ought to simply cross the 20-goal mark, and he would possibly even sniff 30. The final time a defenseman hit that quantity was Mike Inexperienced in 2008-09. 3 21-17-6
19

Flames
After trying useless within the water by way of his first couple seasons with the Flames, Jonathan Huberdeau is now on tempo for 34 objectives, which might be a profession excessive. Huberdeau is taking pictures 24.3%, nearly double his profession common of 12.7%, nevertheless it’s good to see him producing once more after a disastrous begin to his time as a Flame. 5 21-15-7
20

Bruins
Boston has precisely two gamers on tempo for 20-plus objectives: Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. That is not going to get the job executed. Truly, given the state of the playoff race within the East, it would. Nonetheless, it is clear this group is nowhere close to true Cup rivalry in the intervening time. It’s going to be fascinating to see the path this group takes forward of the commerce deadline. 2 22-19-5
21

Canucks
Elias Pettersson has two objectives in his final 10 video games. J.T. Miller has two objectives in his final 17 video games. Now the Canucks are outdoors of the playoffs. I am not completely positive what to consider concerning the chemistry in that locker room, however I do know one thing has to vary shortly as a result of Vancouver’s season is heading south. 5 19-14-10
22

Islanders
Noah Dobson’s offense has cratered after posting 70 factors in 2023-24. He is sitting on 5 objectives and 16 assists by way of 43 video games, that means Dobson is now monitoring for his worst offensive season because the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 marketing campaign. An already offensively-challenged group just like the Islanders cannot afford that sort of drop-off. 5 17-19-7
23

Geese
That is shaping as much as be one other disappointing season in Anaheim, however the goaltending cannot be blamed. Lukas Dostal and John Gibson have been a stable tandem, combining for 9.74 objectives saved above common. Anaheim’s group save proportion of .902 ranks eighth within the NHL. Issues aren’t going effectively for the Geese, however the crease has been stable. — 18-21-5
24

Sabres
Dylan Cozens is on the commerce block, and it isn’t arduous to see why. The 23-year-old appears to have taken a step again with 9 objectives and 12 assists, and that’s on the again of a considerably regarding 2023-24 marketing campaign. The difficulty is that the potential return for Cozens might be dropping by the day. Buffalo could also be higher served to hold onto Cozens and see if he can get his younger profession again on observe. 2 17-22-5
25

Flyers
After a sizzling begin, rookie Matvei Michkov has cooled off fairly a bit. During the last month, Michkov has tallied two objectives and two assists in 14 video games. He is now lagging behind Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson within the Calder Trophy race, nevertheless it’s not unusual for rookies to hit a wall. If he closes effectively, Michkov can be again within the combine for the award. — 19-20-6
26

Hockey Membership
Talking of streaky younger gamers, Dylan Guenther has been on a curler coaster in Salt Lake Metropolis. He began the season with 5 objectives in three video games. Then he scored two in his subsequent 16 video games. Then he heated up. Then he cooled off. So on and so forth. In the intervening time, Guenther is experiencing a chilly spell with no objectives and two assists in his final eight video games. If Guenther can discover some consistency, he’ll put up some mammoth numbers. 9 18-18-7
27

Penguins
The story of the season in Pittsburgh actually has been goaltending, particularly the poor play of Tristan Jarry. In his 22 appearances, Jarry has a .887 save proportion with 11.5 objectives allowed above common. Each numbers put him within the NHL’s basement. If Jarry was taking part in wherever close to common, the Pens would very possible be in a playoff spot. 5 18-20-8
28

Rangers
If I might get a bit spicy right here, I might wish to surprise about the way forward for Atremi Panarin in New York. In a season with every part collapsing round him, Panarin has nonetheless been superb. He is on tempo to place up 90 factors for the fourth time in his profession, and he has yet one more yr left on his deal at $11.6 million. That is some huge cash, however the 33-year-old might fetch a big return if the Rangers actually wished to shake issues up. 3 20-20-3
29

Predators
Nashville hoped Tommy Novak might step up right into a second-line middle position, however he was unable to benefit from his alternative. As a substitute, Steven Stamkos was moved over to middle, and Novak was bumped to the third line. He now has 9 factors in 34 video games and may very well be on the commerce block because the deadline will get nearer. 1 14-22-7
30

Kraken
The Kraken have quite a lot of points, therefore their place in these energy rankings, however Philipp Grubauer is perhaps their greatest one. He’s useless final amongst all NHL goalies with 17.7 objectives allowed above common in simply 20 appearances. In his final 5 video games, Grubauer has allowed 17 objectives on simply 105 photographs towards. Simply trip Joey Daccord till the wheels fall off. 1 19-23-3
31

Sharks
Veteran defenseman Mario Ferraro will get quite a lot of the robust minutes for the Sharks, and he hasn’t fared effectively. In 793 minutes with Ferraro on the ice at five-on-five, the Sharks have been outscored 46-24. Ferraro does have a borderline inconceivable job, however his five-on-five efficiency has been among the many worst within the league. 1 14-26-6
32

Blackhawks
Due to their three-game dropping streak, the Blackhawks at the moment are in final place and 4 factors behind the Thirty first-place Sharks. The excellent news for Chicago is that one other No. 1 choose may very well be on the way in which, however the different facet of the coin is that this group seems to be to be endlessly and a mile away from being competent once more. — 14-28-2