Golden Knights
Pavel Dorofeyev is beginning to appear like a third-round steal for the Golden Knights. He is as much as 14 objectives in 40 video games, which has already surpassed the 13 objectives he scored in 47 video games final season. Now with out Jonathan Marchessault, Vegas wanted somebody to step up and supply secondary scoring this season, and Dorofeyev has accomplished simply that. — 29-14-4
2

Kings
Final week, the Kings scored wins over the Devils and Lightning whereas holding these two explosive offenses to a complete of 1 objective. The protection has been nothing in need of suffocating all yr lengthy, permitting simply 2.09 xGA/60 at five-on-five, and Drew Doughty’s return could be on the horizon. 2 25-14-5
3

Oilers
Leon Draisaitl is a machine. He simply rattled off a 14-game level streak during which he had 12 objectives and 15 assists in that span. He leads the NHL with 29 objectives, which additionally occurs to make up 21.9% of the whole objectives the Oilers have scored this season. With the bottom-six forwards not pulling their weight within the scoring division, Drasaitl has picked up the slack after which some. — 29-15-3
4

Avalanche
Few defensemen are dominating video games like Cale Makar is true now. He is on tempo for profession highs in objectives, assists and factors whereas completely mauling opponents at five-on-five. With Makar on the ice, Colorado has a plus-8 objective differential and a 57.0% anticipated objectives share. With out Makar, the workforce has a minus-14 differential and a 46.3% anticipated objectives share. 2 28-19-1
5

Maple Leafs
A lot to the delight of the Maple Leafs and their followers, Auston Matthews is again on the ice, and it took him no time to get reacclimated. Matthews returned for back-to-back video games towards the Bruins and Flyers final weekend, and he totaled 5 factors. Toronto, which has gained 5 in a row, now seems to be just like the workforce to beat within the Atlantic Division. 2 30-16-2
6

Stars
Has Nils Lundkvist lastly solidified himself in Dallas? Lundkvist has spent the final couple years out and in of Peter DeBoer’s canine home, however he has been wonderful in a considerably restricted function this season. During the last month, Lundkvist owns a 60.1% anticipated objectives share at five-on-five, which is first amongst common skaters. He is making the case for extra ice time. 6 29-17-1
7

Wild
Marco Rossi is reportedly on the commerce block, and I don’t know why. The 22-year-old heart has taken the subsequent step and a pair extra, posting 15 objectives and 22 assists in 41 video games. Even the underlying numbers are glowing. Apart from maybe his measurement, there may be nothing to dislike about Rossi’s sport. If Minnesota goes to commerce a younger participant like Rossi, it higher get a serious haul in return. 3 28-15-4
8

Jets
An enormous a part of the Jets’ success this season might be positioned on the shoulders of a superb season from Mark Scheifele. On the age of 31, Scheifele is on tempo for 46 objectives, which might be a profession excessive. The query for Winnipeg is whether or not he can keep away from regression and maintain that tempo up. Scheifele is taking pictures 24.2%, which is over seven factors increased than his profession excessive. 6 31-14-3
9

Capitals
It is time to put some respect on Aliaksei Protas’ title. The 6-foot-6 and 225-pound Belarusian is a power to be reckoned with on the ice. Protas confirmed flashes of potential final yr, and he has now realized that potential. Protas has 18 objectives and 35 factors in 40 video games whereas boasting a five-on-five objective differential of plus-15. 4 32-10-5
10

Hurricanes
Seth Jarvis could be discovering his groove after lacking important time with an harm in November. The 22-year-old ahead has two objectives and 6 assists in his final six video games, which is nice information for a Carolina workforce that has been caught in impartial for some time. Jarvis’ five-on-five numbers have been robust all season, however the manufacturing is beginning to match. 4 29-16-3
11

Panthers
During the last couple weeks, the Panthers’ offense has fully passed by the wayside. Since Dec. 23, they have been shutout twice and have scored one objective twice. In that span, Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart have mixed for a objective and an help. We have not seen many chilly streaks from these two, so I can not think about this drought goes on for much longer. 2 28-17-3
12

Devils
Very like the Panthers, the Devils have additionally had their offensive powers sapped not too long ago. Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier have mixed for 2 objectives within the final 5 video games. It is so odd to see New Jersey struggling to mild the lamp, however each workforce goes by way of this in an 82-game season. 4 26-17-6
13

Blues
Cam Fowler has 13 factors this season, and 9 of them have come since getting traded to the Blues on Dec. 14. Past that, Fowler’s underlying five-on-five metrics have been encouraging too. It seemed like Fowler was toast towards the top of his time in Anaheim, however possibly getting out of that mess of a defensive surroundings was precisely what he wanted. He appears to have discovered new life in St. Louis. 4 23-21-4
14

Senators
Josh Norris got here out of the gates wanting like a brand new man, however issues have gone south because the season has progressed. Norris has two objectives and two assists in his final 11 video games, and his five-on-five anticipated objectives share has dropped to a dismal 45.9%. Ottawa is relying on Norris to be a top-six heart to ensure that the workforce to get the place it needs to go, however he has been trending within the incorrect course. 1 24-19-4
15

Lightning
Towards the top of December, the Lightning have been rolling and seemed like among the best groups within the league. Then, the Bolts have misplaced 4 in a row in depressing trend. All through the skid, Tampa scored a complete of 5 objectives. Not nice contemplating three of the video games have been towards the Canadiens, Sharks and Geese. 4 25-18-3
16

Canucks
Over the previous couple of years, J.T. Miller has been a weapon on the facility play. From 2021-2024, Miller recorded 29 objectives and 108 factors on the person benefit. The latter quantity ranked eighth within the NHL over that span. This season, Miller has one objective and 10 factors on the facility play by way of 29 video games. That is a part of the rationale why Vancouver’s scoring has dipped. 1 20-16-10
17

Hockey Membership
Karel Vejmelka had a disastrous 2023-24 season, placing up a few of the worst numbers of any goaltender within the league. Now, with Connor Ingram on the shelf as a consequence of harm, Vejmelka has elevated his sport. He’s eighth within the NHL with 9.17 objectives saved above common, and his .833 high-danger save proportion compares favorably to the remainder of the league. 2 20-19-7
18

Bruins
Solely two Bruins have extra ice time than Brandon Carlo, and which may want to vary as a result of the often reliable defenseman has been something however that. Carlo’s anticipated objectives share of 44.8% is among the worst marks on the workforce, and Boston has been outscored 28-25 with him on the ice in these conditions. The difficulty for the B’s is that they might not produce other choices. 2 23-19-6
19

Canadiens
The Canadiens are completely cooking proper now. They’ve gained eight of their final 10 video games, and Lane Hutson has begun his ascent. The No. 62 general decide within the 2022 draft, Hutson leads all rookies in scoring with 30 factors. To place up these totals at any place as a rookie is spectacular, however that is particularly the case for a rookie defenseman. Hutson asserting himself within the Calder Trophy race. 6 24-19-4
20

Purple Wings
In Todd McLellan’s debut because the Purple Wings’ coach, the workforce obtained smacked in a 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs. Since then, Detroit has rattled off 5 straight wins and gotten itself again into the thick of the playoff race. Captain Dylan Larkin has actually taken to the change with 5 objectives and 4 assists since McLellan took over. 7 21-21-5
21

Blue Jackets
Of all of the expert younger Russians in Columbus, Dmitri Voronkov could be the most well liked. Since Dec. 15, Voronkov has caught hearth with 10 objectives and 6 assists in 11 video games. Voronkov was a fourth-round decide by the Blue Jackets in 2019, and he’s now within the midst of two straight productive seasons to start his NHL profession. 1 22-18-7
22

Penguins
Everybody on the Penguins is having a tricky time, however Evgeni Malkin has actually sputtered. Malkin is on tempo for 16 objectives, which might be the bottom full-season whole of his total profession. To make issues worse, these outcomes are earned. The Penguins have been getting caved in with Malkin on the ice at five-on-five. I’m wondering if his title will begin developing in commerce discussions because the commerce deadline approaches. 4 20-21-8
23

Geese
As is an annual custom now, John Gibson’s title is developing in commerce rumors. At one level, Gibson was one of many elite goaltenders on this planet, however that hasn’t been the case for some time now. During the last three seasons, his 24.9 objectives allowed above common ranks 124th out of 131 goaltenders. Possibly Gibson can enhance behind a greater protection, however his numbers have been trending downward for a while. 3 18-23-6
24

Flames
Dustin Wolf deserves a point out within the Calder Trophy race. He is been super between the pipes for Calgary on the age of 23. Wolf has posted 7.78 objectives save above common to go together with his .913 save proportion. If not for distinctive seasons by Macklin Celebrini, Lane Hutson and Macklin Celebrini, Wolf could be getting extra love for the award. 4 22-16-7
25

Flyers
The Flyers have been most likely hoping to get a bit of extra out of Joel Farabee this season, however he hasn’t been capable of get any traction. Farabee has two objectives in his final 13 video games, and he is obtained simply 14 factors in 41 video games. His minus-11 objective differential at five-on-five is not doing him any favors both. 4 22-20-6
26

Sabres
Out of nowhere, Jason Zucker has given the Sabres some wonderful secondary scoring. In his final eight video games, Zucker has notched seven objectives and three assists. Due to this scoring burst, Zucker is now on tempo for his first 30-goal marketing campaign for the reason that 2017-18 season. 2 18-24-5
27

Islanders
Mat Barzal has solely scored one objective since making his return on Dec. 15, however he is been fairly efficient. His anticipated objectives share is as much as an eye-popping 63.2%, however Barzal hasn’t gotten a lot assist. The outcomes will finally come for Barzal if he retains taking part in like this, however I am unsure I can say the identical factor for the remainder of the workforce. 3 19-20-7
28

Predators
There was nearly no probability Gus Nyquist was going to have the ability to repeat his 75-point season from final yr, however he has fallen again to Earth and to its core. Nyquist has seven objectives and 10 assists on the season, which places him on tempo for 34 factors. In a season the place the Preds have been unable to search out constant scoring, they’ve wanted a bit of extra from Nyquist. 1 17-22-7
29

Kraken
The final month has not been fairly for the Kraken. They’ve gone 4-7-2, and that report could be very nicely deserved. Seattle has a five-on-five anticipated objectives share of 39.1%, which is clearly the worst within the league. The Kraken obtained off to a promising begin beneath Dan Bylsma, however they’ve hit a wall on the midway level. 6 21-24-3
30

Sharks
Yaroslav has solely began seven video games for the Sharks, however the very early outcomes for the younger goaltender have been very good. Askarov has posted a .923 save proportion and 4.75 objectives saved above common. A lot consideration has been paid to the younger expertise in entrance of Askarov, and for good purpose, however he already seems to be like a potential franchise cornerstone in web. 2 14-30-6
31

Rangers
On Tuesday evening, the Rangers blew a 3-0 lead and a 4-3 lead in a 5-4 time beyond regulation loss to the Stars. The road of Alexis Lafreniere, Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin did all of the heavy lifting and deserved a greater consequence. Sadly, they have been undone by the remainder of the lineup, which is turning into the story of the season in New York. — 23-20-4
32

Blackhawks
Nobody watched the Winter Basic, and it is a true thriller as to why. May it’s that absolutely the worst workforce within the league was featured in a venue that has already been used earlier than? I suppose we’ll by no means know. Anyway, I stay up for Chicago’s subsequent outside sport look. 2 15-28-4