Avalanche
Extra proof that Nathan MacKinnon is just not human: The Avalanche have outscored their opponents 46-12 when MacKinnon is on the ice at five-on-five. Hart Trophy incoming. — 25-2-7
2

Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have received 4 video games in a row — and 7 of their final 10 — regardless of a quiet stretch from Sebastian Aho. The Carolina captain hasn’t registered some extent in 5 video games, and he has one purpose in his final 12 contests. 2 22-10-3
3

Stars
Roope Hintz is not pacing for one of the best offensive season of his profession, however his two-way sport has been nice. With Hintz within the sport at five-on-five (over 363 minutes), the Stars have allowed simply 9 targets, and he has the anticipated purpose metrics to match these outcomes. 1 24-7-5
4

Wild
Invoice Guerin is not messing round. Touchdown Quinn Hughes is the largest transfer the Wild have made since 2012, and their purpose is clearly to compete with the Avalanche and Stars within the Central. Now, Minnesota must discover a top-six middle. 2 22-9-5
5

Golden Knights
On the floor, Noah Hanifin has had a lackluster season. His plus-minus of minus-6 is not what you wish to see out of a prime pairing defenseman. Nevertheless, Hanifin’s five-on-five anticipated targets share is 54.8%. The problem for him is a 5.5% on-ice taking pictures share. 4 16-6-10
6

Capitals
Tom Wilson simply continues to show the doubters (me) fallacious. He is on tempo for a 43-goal season, which might smash his earlier profession excessive of 33. Can he maintain taking pictures 24.3%? I suppose we’ll see. 3 19-12-4
7

Purple Wings
Moritz Seider is establishing himself as an elite defenseman on this league. He owns a plus-15 purpose differential at five-on-five, and an almost 60% anticipated targets share. Past that, he is on tempo for 52 factors. 10 20-13-3
8

Geese
Whereas a number of younger Geese have been flourishing, Mason McTavish hasn’t taken as large a step ahead. He has one level in his final seven video games, and his five-on-five impacts have been considerably disappointing with an anticipated targets share of 47.8%. 3 20-13-2
9

Islanders
The Islanders are 6-1-0 within the month of December regardless of some horrible underlying metrics. That disparity may be defined by the play of Ilya Sorokin, who has a .942 save share to go together with 6.87 targets saved above common in his final 5 appearances. 1 19-13-4
10

Lightning
During the last couple weeks, the Bolts have gone chilly offensively. Jake Guentzel has one purpose in his final eight. Brandon Hagel has one purpose in his final six. Anthony Cirelli is using an 11-game purpose drought. 3 19-13-3
11

Bruins
Since Thanksgiving, Elias Lindholm has been dishing the puck at a excessive degree. He has 10 assists (and one purpose) in eight video games over that span. It is an encouraging signal for the Bruins. 1 20-15-1
12

Panthers
Sam Bennett has had sturdy underlying numbers all season, however the manufacturing is beginning to match. During the last month, Bennett has been everywhere in the scoresheet with seven targets and 9 assists in 14 video games. 2 19-14-2
13

Flyers
The sophomore stoop for Matvei Michkov continues. He has simply eight targets on the season, and he hasn’t discovered the again of the web in December. If Michkov can get rolling, Philly could possibly be even greater within the standings. 3 17-10-7
14

Kings
When you can imagine this, the Kings are struggling to attain targets. They rank thirty first within the league with 83 targets, and nobody on the staff has greater than 11 tallies. This staff would not have sufficient offense to go the space, even when it reaches the postseason. 3 15-10-9
15

Canadiens
The road of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky continues to do all of the heavy lifting in Montreal. When that trio is rolling, the Habs look excellent. After they have a quiet evening, Montreal would not appear like a playoff staff. The Canadiens have so as to add some ahead depth. 3 19-12-4
16

Oilers
A lot to the chagrin of 31 different groups, Connor McDavid is on one. In his final seven video games, McDavid has 9 targets and 11 assists. He’s now one level behind Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead in factors with 56. 5 17-13-6
17

Maple Leafs
The one time Auston Matthews has averaged lower than some extent per sport in his profession was his rookie marketing campaign in 2016-27. He is at the moment monitoring for 69 factors this season. The goal-scoring has been there with 14 targets in 27 video games, however the playmaking has lagged with simply 9 assists. 2 15-14-5
18

Penguins
The Penguins couldn’t defend an enormous third-period lead if their life trusted it. On Saturday, they coughed up a 5-1 lead. Sooner or later later, they choked away a 3-0 lead. Pittsburgh is letting its season slip away. 5 14-11-9
19

Senators
In a season knocked off observe as a consequence of damage, Brady Tkachuk has simply two targets in 12 video games. He is scored greater than 30 targets in three of the final 4 seasons, and he scored 29 within the one he did not. His 4.1% taking pictures share — lower than half of his profession common — ought to begin to degree out quickly. 3 17-13-4
20

Devils
Virtually instantly after the Devils missed out on the Quinn Hughes sweepstakes, younger defenseman Simon Nemec went down with damage. You can not make these items up. The Devils must burn some sage within the Prudential Heart or one thing. 5 20-14-1
21

Sharks
On Thursday, the Sharks trailed 2-0, they usually got here again to win. On Saturday, they trailed 5-1 and got here again to win. This staff is a lot enjoyable. I hope they keep within the playoff race the entire approach. 1 17-15-3
22

Rangers
The Rangers have been shutout for the SIXTH time in Madison Sq. Backyard on Tuesday evening. They’ve scored 30 targets in 17 residence video games. The followers in New York will begin asking for refunds earlier than lengthy. 2 18-15-4
23

Mammoth
Barrett Hayton has adopted up an encouraging 2024-25 season with a devastating 2025-26 marketing campaign. He has seven factors in 30 video games, and the previous No. 5 total choose has but to essentially get away. 4 17-17-3
24

Jets
Connor Hellebuyck is again, and never a second too quickly for the Jets. Winnipeg sank like a stone whereas its star goaltender was on the shelf, and it now sits exterior the playoffs. There is not any doubt Hellebuyck can drag this staff again into the postseason. He is carried out it earlier than. — 15-17-2
25

Sabres
The Sabres lastly fired GM Kevyn Adams and changed him with Jarmo Kekalainen. Will that transfer assist Buffalo finish its prolonged playoff drought? Perhaps, however nothing will change till possession decides to go all-in on constructing a contender. 5 16-14-4
26

Predators
Luke Evangelista has been nice for the Predators. He leads the staff in assists (19) and five-on-five anticipated purpose share (62.5%). After a tough 2024-25 season, this has been a pleasant rebound for the 23-year-old. 5 14-16-4
27

Flames
They’ve carried out it. The Flames have a participant who’s damaged the 10-goal mark. Matt Coronato obtained there final week, so Calgary has that going for it. 1 14-17-4
28

Blackhawks
Connor Bedard is on IR with a separated shoulder, and that could be a big bummer for Blackhawks followers and followers of hockey at massive. Hopefully Bedard is ready to choose up the place he left off when he does return. 2 13-16-6
29

Blue Jackets
Kirill Marchenko has two targets in his final 15 video games because the Blue Jackets slide out of playoff rivalry. It has been a irritating stretch for Marchenko, who has shot 5.4% all through this chilly streak. 6 14-14-6
30

Blues
Half the forwards (not an exaggeration) in St. Louis are injured. Mix that with abysmal goaltending, and you’ve got the proper recipe for shedding. 1 14-15-8
31

Canucks
Since buying and selling away Quinn Hughes, the Canucks have received two straight video games. Was Hughes the issue all alongside in Vancouver? (Kidding) 1 15-17-3
32

Kraken
They’ve carried out it. The Kraken have a participant who’s damaged the 10-goal mark. Jordan Eberle obtained there on Tuesday evening. Sadly, Seattle has nonetheless misplaced 9 of its final 10. 7 12-14-6