Avalanche
With Mackenzie Blackwood out to begin the season, backup Scott Wedgewood has been terrific in objective. His .938 save share and 5.55 targets saved above common are among the many finest marks within the league. 1 5-0-3
2

Golden Knights
Does Jack Eichel have yet one more stage to his recreation? It positive seems to be that means. He has six targets and 10 assists by the primary seven video games. It is nonetheless means too early for Hart Trophy speak however … Jack Eichel for Hart Trophy? 5 5-0-2
3

Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are rolling, and so they have not even gotten a lot manufacturing from big-ticket free agent Nikolaj Ehlers. As soon as he will get snug in his new digs — and I am positive he’ll — Carolina will look much more harmful. 2 6-1-0
4

Devils
New Jersey has rattled off 5 straight wins and Jack Hughes has six targets in six video games. Now 24 years previous, Hughes has 100-point potential after which some. If he can get there, the Devils are each bit the Stanley Cup contender they seem like on paper. 2 6-1-0
5

Jets
On Monday evening, Jonathan Toews scored his first NHL objective since April 13, 2023. There’s nonetheless some query about how a lot the 37-year-old can convey to the Jets, however there could have been occasions over the past 18 months when Toews thought that subsequent objective could by no means come. 3 5-2-0
6

Capitals
Aliaksei Protas appears decided to construct upon his 66-point displaying final season with eight factors in his first seven video games. A 6-foot-6 and 250-pound tank, Protas is a deal with to observe when he will get going. I like to recommend queuing up some Capitals video games quickly. 5 5-2-0
7

Stars
It was clear to everybody that defensive depth might the the Stars’ Achilles heel this season, and it definitely has been within the early going. When you get previous Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell, it isn’t fairly. I count on GM Jim Nill to make a transfer at that place. 6 3-3-1
8

Canadiens
The younger Habs hold taking part in (and profitable) one-goal thrillers. Can they maintain that? I do not know! Will I proceed to observe as a result of they’re an absolute blast? Completely! 5 6-3-0
9

Oilers
The Oilers have 9 5-on-5 targets to date. That is tied for twenty eighth, and it places them in a tier with the Sharks, Sabres, Wild and Flames. The crew’s 5.96% capturing share in these conditions is sort of two full factors under the place it was final season. 6 4-3-1
10

Panthers
It has been a brutal begin for 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett. He has two factors and a minus-7 objective differential at 5-on-5. I do suppose numerous that’s poor luck as a result of his glowing 57.8% anticipated targets share suggests higher days are coming. 6 4-5-0
11

Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs are tied for third within the NHL with 24 targets scored, and their 25 targets allowed are tied for twenty seventh. Toronto is ensuring that followers on either side get their cash’s price on these tickets. 2 3-3-1
12

Mammoth
Nick Schmaltz has immediately caught fireplace with eight factors in his final 4 video games, and that is an enormous motive why the Mammoth have rattled off 4 straight wins. I’ll proceed to pound the drum right here. Utah will likely be an issue for the Central Division. 6 6-2-0
13

Crimson Wings
In every of the primary three video games, Dylan Larkin registered one level. Within the subsequent two, he notched two factors. In his final outing, Larkin totaled 4 factors. If I am doing my math appropriately, he ought to have an eight-point evening on Wednesday. 6 5-3-0
14

Blues
The early returns on the Blues’ acquisition of Logan Mailloux are fairly poor. Zack Bolduc is taking part in fairly nicely for the Canadiens, and St. Louis has been outscored 7-0 with Mailloux on the ice at 5-on-5. There’s nonetheless loads of time for the 22-year-old to develop, nonetheless. 1 3-3-1
15

Penguins
First-year coach Dan Muse has the pesky Penguins on the prime of the Metro Division race after seven video games. Arms down the largest shock to date for the Pens has been the goaltending. Tristan Jarry and Arturs Silovs have mixed for 4.17 targets saved above common. 8 6-2-0
16

Geese
The children are flourishing in Anaheim already. Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish. Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke have mixed for 11 targets and 12 assists. Is the elusive “subsequent step” lastly taking place? 8 4-2-1
17

Wild
It is nonetheless an especially small pattern measurement, however my antenna is up in regard to this Wild crew. They have been carried by a red-hot energy play whereas their 5-on-5 anticipated targets share (45.8%) and objective differential (minus-5) are among the many worst numbers within the NHL. 1 3-4-1
18

Canucks
Via his first 4 begins, Thatcher Demko seems to be wholesome once more. His .897 high-danger save share is outstanding, and the Canucks are 3-1-0 with him in web. Vancouver simply wants handy the crease over to him full-time once more. 4 4-4-0
19

Senators
Shane Pinto is off to an distinctive begin with seven targets in seven video games. Sadly for him and the remainder of the Sens, goaltending has let this crew down in a significant means so far. 9 3-4-1
20

Kraken
If the Kraken are going to make any noise in any way within the West, Joey Daccord must be higher than his .889 save share and -1.45 targets saved above common. 1 4-2-2
21

Kings
Anze Kopitar has been labeled week-to-week with a foot harm, and that is poor timing for a Kings crew off to a gradual begin. The Kings do not actually have sufficient firepower to make up for shedding a two-way participant of Kopitar’s caliber. 7 3-3-2
22

Blue Jackets
It took just a few video games for the Jackets to get going, however back-to-back wins over the Lightning and Stars is perhaps sufficient to get the jumpstarted as we close to the tip of October. 4 3-3-0
23

Lightning
Tampa has been terrible in one-goal video games so far, however there could also be extra too that than unhealthy puck luck. The goaltending has been poor, and the underlying 5-on-5 numbers have taken a dip so far. 11 1-4-2
24

Rangers
The Rangers rank fourth within the NHL with 25.1 anticipated targets. They rank twenty seventh in precise targets with 16. Their offensive struggles so far have been really baffling. 7 3-4-2
25

Flyers
Trevor Zegras is tied for the crew lead with 5 assists, and his three main assists are first. If Rick Tocchet may help Zegras understand his full playmaking potential, Philadelphia could have gotten him for a steal within the offseason. 2 3-3-1
26

Blackhawks
I do not suppose the Blackhawks are completely inept. Which will sound like a backhanded praise, however I can guarantee you it’s honest. Chicago has been unwatchable for a lot of the final two seasons, so this begin is a breath of recent air. 4 4-2-2
27

Islanders
I am unable to imagine I am typing this, however Ilya Sorokin has been outright unhealthy. He ranks 57th within the NHL with 3.85 targets allowed above common, and his .874 save share is stunning. I assumed New York would have issues. I did not suppose he can be one. 5 4-3-0
28

Bruins
After their 3-0 begin, the Bruins have misplaced 5 straight video games in regulation. Not less than they’d the decency to ice a watchable product till basketball season rolled round. 8 3-6-0
29

Predators
Nashville is just not a crew constructed to attain at full energy, and that lack of offensive prowess has been exacerbated by an influence play working at a league-worst 8.3%. That purple gentle will not get numerous work at Bridgestone Area this yr. 4 3-3-2
30

Sabres
Jason Zucker leads the Sabres with three targets, which is each a testomony to his play within the early going and a condemnation of the crew’s prime gamers amid a gradual begin. 2 3-4-0
31

Flames
The Flames have now misplaced six straight, and so they have not even managed to choose up a loser level in that stretch. Their minus-15 targets differential is the worst within the NHL. 2 1-6-1
32

Sharks
Yaroslav Askarov has allowed 6.56 targets above averaged (62nd within the NHL) whereas posting a .837 save share. Good begin for my Calder Trophy choose! 1 1-4-2