Avalanche
Dominance | The Avalanche have been one of the best crew within the NHL by nearly each metric on the market. Nathan MacKinnon seems to be just like the MVP. Cale Makar is on monitor for one more Norris Trophy. There’s an excessive amount of to choose only one factor, so simply be grateful for all of it. — 17-1-6
2

Stars
Finland | The Finnish export their greatest and brightest to the NHL, and the Stars have three of them on their roster. Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen and Roope Hintz all name Finland house, they usually’re all constructing blocks to a Stanley Cup contender in Dallas. — 15-5-4
3

Hurricanes
Seth Jarvis | One of many nice treasures throughout the league, Jarvis is the uncommon hockey participant who exudes elite ability and a novel persona. Whether or not it is scoring a clutch purpose or begging followers to not spoil his non-refundable Mexico journey with the All-Star fan vote, Jarvis is a star on and off the ice. — 15-7-2
4

Lightning
Atlantic chaos | The Atlantic Division has been everywhere in the map to this point, and the Lightning are in one of the best place to reap the benefits of that. The Bolts have gotten scorching recently, and the cannibalistic nature of the groups beneath within the standings provides Tampa an opportunity to stretch its lead. 2 15-7-2
5

Geese
Evolution | For years, the Geese have been ready for his or her rebuild to bear the fruit of precise wins. After a pair disappointing seasons, the ducklings have developed into the Pacific Division leaders. There shall be no roast duck on the plate this Thanksgiving. — 15-8-1
6

Devils
Jesper Bratt | With Jack Hughes out of the lineup for a pair months, the Devils must be grateful they nonetheless have a star on the prime of the lineup who can drive success. Bratt is a legit stud, each with regards to his five-on-five impression and precise manufacturing (22 factors in 22 video games). 2 16-7-1
7

Senators
Jake Sanderson | One of many extra underrated defensemen within the league, Sanderson has developed into a real No. 1 choice for the Senators, which is what Thomas Chabot was alleged to be as soon as upon a time. Sanderson is a extremely efficient participant in all three zones, and he is a giant purpose for Ottawa’s defensive dominance. 5 12-8-4
8

Islanders
Change | For too a few years, issues had been stale on Lengthy Island, and anybody with eyes might see it. That is not the case anymore. Lou Lamoriello is out. Mathieu Darche is in. No. 1 total choose Matthew Schaefer is lighting up the NHL. The Isles are thrilling. 9 13-9-3
9

Purple Wings
Dylan Larkin | The captain himself is a Michigan child, and he represents the franchise extremely effectively. Larkin has Detroit wanting like a playoff crew, and it could be nice to see him break via contemplating how a lot mediocrity (or outright distress) Larkin has endured all through his profession. 1 13-11-1
10

Panthers
Depth | What number of groups might lose their No. 1 middle and a first-line winger — then lose a handful extra gamers to varied accidents — and stay afloat within the playoff race? Not many, however when you might have Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart to hold the load, that helps loads. 4 12-11-1
11

Golden Knights
Aggressiveness | If there’s a good participant accessible on the commerce market, you possibly can guess the Golden Knights are sniffing round. That is as a result of GM Kelly McCrimmon isn’t glad together with his roster as is. If there’s an opportunity to enhance, he’ll take it. Most followers would like to have a GM with that very same method. 1 10-6-8
12

Kings
Anze Kopitar | It was simply too straightforward. That is Kopitar’s final season, so followers want to understand each second of him in a Kings jersey. Kopitar is an important participant in franchise historical past (two-time Selke Trophy winner and two-time Stanley Cup champ), and he is a future Corridor of Famer. Cherish the subsequent 5-7 months. 1 11-6-7
13

Kraken
Protection | Of their first yr beneath coach Lane Lambert, the Kraken are making it occur with stout protection. Seattle permits anticipated targets towards on the fifth-lowest price within the NHL, they usually’re third in precise targets towards. 5 11-6-6
14

Bruins
Offense | The Bruins are out of the blue a high-flying offensive squad, because of David Pastrnak and future 58-goal scorer Morgan Geekie. They’ve wanted all of these targets too as a result of their purpose differential continues to be barely beneath water at minus-2. 7 14-12-0
15

Jets
Mark Scheifele | If Winnipeg goes to outlive with out Connor Hellebuyck for the subsequent 4-6 weeks, it wants numerous assist from the remainder of the lineup. That begins with Scheifele, who has been nice once more this season. He is on tempo for a career-high 108 factors. 4 12-11-0
16

Canadiens
Sharpshooting | No crew has been higher with regards to changing pictures into targets. The Canadiens lead the NHL in taking pictures share at 13.4%, which is sort of a full level larger than the second-place Blackhawks. Cole Caufield has been particularly scorching, taking pictures 22% on the season. 7 13-7-3
17

Wild
Money cash | Typically, it’s important to pony as much as preserve your superstars within the combine, and the Wild did that within the offseason. The Wild made Kirill Kaprizov the highest-paid participant in NHL historical past, each when it comes to whole worth ($136 million) and AAV ($17 million). A small value to pay for somebody who will probably be one of the best participant in crew historical past. 5 14-7-4
18

Capitals
Spencer Carbery | From the skin wanting in, it is onerous to search out many coaches higher at getting gamers to purchase into their imaginative and prescient. Carbery has fully revamped the tradition in Washington, and regardless of a expertise deficiency on paper, the Caps outplay their opposition regularly. 7 14-9-2
19

Flyers
Shootouts | The Japanese Convention has by no means been extra aggressive, so groups have to gather factors in each attainable method. Up to now, the Flyers have been choosing up bonus factors within the shootout — going 4-0 in these conditions — one of the best document within the NHL. 1 13-7-3
20

Mammoth
Good possession | I shudder to offer house owners any credit score in any way, however by all accounts, the Smiths have created an unbelievable atmosphere for the Mammoth gamers. Past that, they appear all-in on profitable a Stanley Cup. That is a night-and-day distinction from the possession scenario in Arizona. 1 12-9-3
21

Penguins
Longevity | Sidney Crosby stays a power of nature within the NHL, and on the age of 38, that is fairly the feat. Nevertheless it hasn’t simply been Crosby this season. The nice Evgeni Malkin has turned again the clock too with 24 factors in 21 video games. These two have stored Pittsburgh within the playoff combine. 6 12-6-5
22

Blackhawks
Hope | The Blackhawks have been quick on hope for some time now, even with Connor Bedard on the roster. Within the final two seasons, Chicago has appeared gentle years away from playoff competition, however that has modified this season. Bedard has hit one other gear, Frank Nazar has been impactful and Spencer Knight is a Vezina Trophy candidate. 6 10-8-5
23

Rangers
Street journeys | Everybody loves an excellent highway journey, however that is very true for the Rangers. New York has been putrid at Madison Sq. Backyard, however the crew has been terrific on the highway. These performances away from house are the one purpose the Rangers are nonetheless afloat within the East. 2 13-11-2
24

Sharks
Youth | The factor about inexperience is that it may be the supply of errors, however it will possibly additionally present a franchise with some juice. That is what Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund and Yaroslav Askarov have finished. The long run could be very sunny within the Bay Space. 2 12-10-3
25

Blue Jackets
Cap area | The Blue Jackets have some actually intriguing younger items — or at the least items nonetheless of their prime — they usually have the flexibleness to construct round them. Columbus has virtually $13 million in area now, and it is projected for $46 million in area subsequent summer season. 2 11-9-5
26

Oilers
Proof of idea | This begin could be very worrisome for the Oilers in the event that they hadn’t finished this in every of the final two years earlier than happening a Stanley Cup Last run. Edmonton has confirmed it will possibly dig itself out of a gap, even when this season feels just a little totally different in a nasty manner. 2 10-10-5
27

Sabres
Josh Allen | If it weren’t for Josh Allen, Buffalo could be a way more depressing place this time of yr, and followers would have extra time to direct their ire on the Sabres. Fortunately, Allen and his rocket arm give the superb people of Buffalo one thing to look ahead to. 1 Sep 11-4
28

Maple Leafs
Parity | The distinction between the final playoff spot and final place within the East is 5 factors, and the Maple Leafs have two video games in hand. Toronto could also be in final place, however the excessive parity within the convention ought to give the crew and its followers loads of hope. 1 10-11-3
29

Blues
The Thanksgiving break | With only one win of their final six video games, the Blues are like a fighter simply attempting to succeed in the bell. That is additionally across the precise date St. Louis started its turnaround final season, however there shall be no teaching change this time round, so the crew has to search out solutions from inside. 1 8-10-7
30

Flames
Regression | This will sound loopy to say, however the Flames look fairly good beneath the hood, particularly on protection. At five-on-five, solely the Senators permit anticipated targets at a decrease price than Calgary. If Dustin Wolf finds his sport in internet, the Flames might push again into the wild card combine. 2 9-14-3
31

Canucks
Quinn Hughes | Love him when you’ve bought him, Vancouver! With every passing loss, it seems to be increasingly more like Hughes’ future could possibly be in a unique uniform. 2 10-13-2
32

Predators
Titans | In seasons like this, the Predators profit from being in soccer nation, particularly when the Titans are the one NFL crew with only one win. They’ve actually been taking some warmth off the Preds domestically. 1 7-12-4