Jets
Nikolaj Ehlers is having maybe the most effective season of his profession, and he nonetheless does not get sufficient respect or ice time. Ehlers has 50 factors in 49 video games, which is superb, but it surely’s unbelievable when you think about he performs simply 15:48 per recreation. That is notably decrease than the opposite prime forwards on the workforce, however Ehlers makes probably the most of his ice-time. Just a few gamers within the NHL have racked up factors at a better price than Ehlers this season. — 42-15-3
2

Stars
Because of damage points on Staff Canada, Thomas Harley bought some ice time within the 4 Nations Face-Off, and it was well-deserved. He is been terrific for the Stars with 31 factors in 56 video games and a plus-24 aim differential at five-on-five. The 23-year-old is an rising star, and he will likely be leaned on closely down the stretch as Miro Heiskanen recovers from damage. — 37-19-2
3

Capitals
Following his hat trick in opposition to the Oilers on Sunday, Alex Ovechkin wants simply 13 extra targets within the closing 25 video games of the common season to interrupt Wayne Gretzky’s all-time targets file. Ovechkin now has 29 targets in 41 video games, which is an 82-game tempo of 58 tallies. That will be the second-highest complete of his total profession, which solely makes Ovi’s efficiency at 39 much more jaw-dropping. — 38-13-8
4

Maple Leafs
Toronto’s five-on-five metrics have been surprisingly pedestrian, particularly given the outcomes it is gotten this season. The Leafs have been in a position to overcome that largely because of large goaltending from Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. That duo has mixed to save lots of 23.2 targets above common. Neither goalie has a lot of a playoff resume, so that is still a little bit of a query because the postseason approaches. 3 36-20-2
5

Panthers
The 4 Nations Face-Off exacted a heavy toll from the Panthers. Matthew Tkachuk suffered a lower-body damage within the event and can now be out for a big period of time. Florida nonetheless has a deep roster, however dropping Tkachuk will put a dent within the workforce’s shot to repeat as Cup champs. We’ll see whether or not GM Invoice Zito makes a giant transfer forward of the commerce deadline to compensate for this loss. — 36-21-3
6

Lightning
Tampa has received 5 straight video games, and Brandon Hagel has been one of many drivers of that success. Hagel has 5 targets and 5 assists in that span, and his distinctive season continues. The Lightning ahead is now monitoring for 93 factors, which might be a brand new profession excessive by a large margin, and it is nonetheless arduous to imagine that the Blackhawks ever let him go. 7 34-20-4
7

Hurricanes
Mikko Rantanen’s time as a Hurricane has not gotten off to a great begin. He has one aim and two assists in eight video games, and that is not what Carolina hoped for when it acquired him from Colorado in a blockbuster deal. To be clear, I very significantly doubt Rantanen will proceed to shoot 4.5% when his profession common is 16.1%. That stated, anybody questioning whether or not Rantanen might thrive away from MacKinnon has extra ammo proper now. 1 34-21-4
8

Pink Wings
Since Todd McLellan took over as coach on Dec. 28, the Pink Wings have the most effective file within the NHL at 17-4-2. They’ve managed to try this regardless of a minus-1 aim differential at five-on-five, and that may be attributed to a scorching sizzling energy play. With McLellan behind the bench, Detroit has transformed on 39.1% of its energy play alternatives, which is first within the league by nearly six full factors. 1 30-23-6
9

Devils
Jack Hughes took some (maybe undue) warmth for his 4 Nations efficiency, however Devils followers aren’t complaining. Hughes has been crimson sizzling for New Jersey with eight targets and 4 assists in his final 9 video games. With the Devils properly on their solution to the playoffs, I am excited to see what Hughes does as soon as they get there. He was solely 21 in his first postseason look, and he posted 11 factors in 12 video games. 2 32-22-6
10

Wild
The Wild want as many arms on deck as they’ll get with Kirill Kaprizov out of the lineup. Sadly for Minnesota, Mats Zuccarello hasn’t been capable of finding a groove with out Kaprizov. He hasn’t scored a aim since Jan. 25, and he hasn’t notched a single level in his final 9 video games. 4 34-21-4
11

Avalanche
Ross Colton bought off to a ridiculously sizzling begin with 10 targets in 15 video games. He was thriving within the bumper position on Colorado’s energy play, however Colton has been ice chilly for some time now. Colton hasn’t scored since Jan. 9, and he has only one help in his final 16 video games. Maybe because of his struggles, Colton’s ice-time has decreased dramatically, and a as soon as promising depth participant has hit a deep rut. 3 34-24-2
12

Oilers
Edmonton has now misplaced 4 straight video games whereas permitting a mixed 22 targets. As is at all times the case, there are some professional issues concerning the Oilers’ goaltending. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have mixed to permit 5.46 targets above common, and neither one has a save share above .900. That is the clear Achilles heel on this workforce. 8 34-21-4
13

Golden Knights
The Golden Knights stay atop the Pacific Division standings, however they’ve been caught in impartial in 2025. Since Jan. 1, Vegas has gone 9-9-3, which is tied for the nineteenth finest file in that span. The workforce’s underlying numbers have been comparatively robust in that point, however a 6.75% taking pictures share at five-on-five has tanked the precise outcomes. Look ahead to the Golden Knights to catch fireplace down the stretch. 3 35-18-6
14

Kings
Kevin Fiala has formally damaged out of his droop. Fiala has seven targets in his final six video games, which has helped Los Angeles preserve a top-three spot within the Pacific Division. There are nonetheless very actual issues about how the Kings’ offense will fare within the postseason, however getting Fiala rolling is a giant step in the best route. Including a scorer earlier than the commerce deadline would additionally assist. 8 31-17-8
15

Senators
Matthew is not the one Tkachuk brother feeling the results of the 4 Nations Face-Off. Brady Tkachuk can be banged up, and that could not come at a worse time for the Senators, who’ve misplaced 4 straight video games whereas coping with accidents to different key forwards. Ottawa is inside attain of ending its seven-year playoff drought, however the damage bug has bitten at a nasty time. 5 29-25-4
16

Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets merely refuse to go away. They scored an enormous 6-4 win over the Stars on Tuesday night time, and Kirill Marchenko led the way in which with three factors. He and Werenski have been driving a lot of the workforce’s success all season, but it surely looks as if former No. 5 general decide Kent Johnson is beginning to come round too. Johnson already has a brand new profession excessive with 19 targets, and he is two factors away from a profession excessive in that class as properly. 4 29-22-8
17

Flames
I’ve to shoutout MacKenzie Weegar right here as a result of he is been the Flames’ finest participant. Weegar is a key cog within the offensive machine with six targets and 26 assists, however his five-on-five impacts are terrific. Weegar owns a plus-11 aim differential at five-on-five to associate with his 51.4% anticipated targets share. He is flown underneath the radar, however Calgary can be nowhere close to the race with out him. 1 28-22-8
18

Canucks
JT Miller is gone, however the Elias Pettersson downside stays. Pettersson hasn’t scored in 11 video games, and probably the most troubling half is that he hasn’t even been placing pictures on web. In his final 5 video games, Pettersson has recorded three pictures. That is no solution to get away of a droop. Pettersson is a former 100-point scorer with elite talent, so to see him struggling this badly is totally befuddling. 3 27-21-11
19

Rangers
There was loads of Adam Fox slander flying round after the 4 Nations event, and that won’t fly right here. Fox has been one of many solely good issues about this disappointing Rangers workforce. With Fox on the ice at five-on-five, New York has a plus-11 aim differential and a 56.1% anticipated targets share. With out him, these numbers fall off a cliff to minus-16 and a 43.9% anticipated targets share. — 29-25-4
20

Islanders
The Isles have now misplaced 5 of their final six video games in regulation, and whereas that will not utterly nix their playoff possibilities, the ultimate nail is midway within the coffin. All eyes now flip to Brock Nelson, who figures to be one of many hotter commodities on the NHL commerce market with playoff groups seeking to improve their No. 2 heart spot. The 33-year-old can nonetheless carry some offense with 17 targets in 57 video games. 5 26-25-7
21

Bruins
If an extra time loss to the Geese on Saturday wasn’t sufficient of a kick within the enamel, blowing a 3-0 result in the Maple Leafs on Tuesday ensured the Bruins will want in depth dental work. Boston continues to be within the playoff race due to a mediocre center within the East, however even when it does get there, profitable a spherical looks as if a longshot. What’s the imaginative and prescient for the Bruins proper now? 1 27-25-8
22

Canadiens
Cole Caufield is absolutely beginning to understand his scoring potential on the NHL degree. His 27 targets in 58 video games places him on tempo for 38 tallies this season, and his totals have risen each single yr of his profession. At 24 years previous, Caufield is simply beginning to ascend towards his prime, and I would not be stunned to see him hit 50 targets one season within the very close to future. 5 28-26-5
23

Flyers
Owen Tippett’s uncooked manufacturing could also be taking minor step again from final yr, however he has had a noticeably constructive affect on the sport at five-on-five. Tippett’s 54.9% anticipated targets share is among the finest on the Flyers, and he is considered one of solely a handful of gamers with a constructive aim differential (plus-1). Tippett is probably not a bona fide first-liner in his profession, however he’ll be a useful middle-six piece for a very long time. — 26-26-8
24

Sabres
There was loads of optimism round Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen coming into the season as a result of it appeared like he may very well be the everlasting reply in aim for the Sabres. As a substitute, Luukkonen has posted among the worst numbers within the league. His 6.68 targets allowed above common rank 78th, and his .793 high-danger save share ranks 62nd. 1 24-28-5
25

Geese
The shortage of improvement in Anaheim has been irritating at occasions, however defenseman Jackson LaCombe does appear to be coming round. He has 9 targets and 28 factors in 50 video games, and his five-on-five numbers are fairly good when in comparison with most of his teammates. LaCombe is likely to be rising as a long-term answer on the Geese’ blue line. 1 26-25-7
26

Blues
The Blues are reportedly buying Brayden Schenn, and if they may transfer him previous to the commerce deadline, that might be a pleasant little bit of enterprise from GM Doug Armstrong. Schenn, 33, has three extra years left on his contract at $6.5 million per season. Transferring Schenn would clear up important cap house and permit the franchise get youthful because the rebuild and/or retool continues. 2 28-26-6
27

Hockey Membership
Matias Maccelli has been a wholesome scratch for Utah currently, and he is likely to be on the commerce block. If he’s, playoff contenders ought to bounce on the probability to amass him for what ought to be an affordable value. Maccelli’s manufacturing has fallen off, however the 24-year-old nonetheless has some good playmaking skill. He simply posted 40 assists and 57 factors final yr, and his underlying five-on-five impacts are good. — 27-24-9
28

Kraken
Jared McCann has been the first goal-scorer on the Kraken for a pair years now, however that hasn’t been the case currently. McCann has only one aim in his final 12 video games as Seattle has struggled to create offense persistently. Seattle merely does not have sufficient scoring for its prime offensive weapon to go chilly for this lengthy. — 25-31-4
29

Penguins
Simply once you thought issues could not worsen for the Penguins, they’ve returned from the 4 Nations break to permit 19 targets in three video games. The protection is dangerous. The goaltending is worse. The greatness of Sidney Crosby is likely to be the one factor motivating Pens followers to observe this product proper now. — 24-28-9
30

Predators
Steven Stamkos hasn’t recorded some extent in 9 video games, and he has simply 33 factors in 56 video games. The 35-year-old has by no means scored at a decrease price in his prolonged profession, which makes the remainder of his $32 million contract look fairly troublesome. It has been a disastrous season in Nashville, and never even Stamkos is immune. — 21-30-7
31

Blackhawks
The Blackhawks misplaced to Utah on Tuesday night time, and shot makes an attempt have been 93-39 in favor of the Utahns. It is arduous to specific simply how horrible this Chicago workforce is, and it is already been rebuilding for a handful of years now. In his postgame press convention, Seth Jones confirmed some fireplace, however he is probably not round for much longer. It is ugly within the Windy Metropolis. — 17-35-7
32

Sharks
William Eklund has a pleasant little five-game level streak going, which is good to see. Eklund can get misplaced within the shuffle with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith within the combine, however 22-year-old was the No. 7 general decide in 2022. He is struggled to get his footing in a horrible atmosphere, however issues is likely to be beginning to click on for the younger ahead. — 15-36-9