Avalanche
It is wholly unoriginal to speak about Nathan MacKinnon when the subject of the Avalanche comes up, however I will do it anyway. MacKinnon’s level streak has hit 16 video games, and he has 10 targets and 22 assists in that span. With all due respect to Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Nikita Kucherov, nobody else on this league is kind of on MacKinnon’s degree in the meanwhile. 6 44-20-5
2

Rangers
The Rangers are rolling towards the No. 1 seed within the Jap Convention — and maybe the Presidents’ Trophy. It is in all probability not a lot of a coincidence that Igor Shesterkin is again to being a mutant between the pipes. Within the final month, Shesterkin has saved 13.6 targets above common and posted a .943 save share. The Rangers are a terrifying group when Shesterkin is at his greatest. — 45-20-4
3

Hurricanes
Evgeny Kuznetsov seemed like he was nearing the tip of his NHL profession in his last days with the Capitals, however a commerce to the Hurricanes appears to have fully revitalized him. In his first seven video games with Carolina, Kuznetsov has notched 5 factors, and the group is outscoring opponents 5-2 with him on the ice at five-on-five. If the Canes can get something near peak Kuznetsov, their Stanley Cup probabilities will solely proceed to rise. — 43-20-6
4

Panthers
For the primary time in weeks, the Panthers not occupy the No. 1 spot. That is much less about them faltering and extra in regards to the groups forward of them enjoying distinctive hockey. If there’s considerably of a nitpick, it is that Florida’s five-on-five anticipated targets share has plummeted during the last couple weeks. In fact, that could be a minuscule pattern dimension, and the Panthers have confirmed that they’re an elite five-on-five group all season. 3 45-19-4
5

Oilers
Edmonton has stumbled a bit during the last couple weeks, however I doubt this group is definitely in jeopardy of stumbling over the end line. It’s price noting, nevertheless, that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has gone chilly within the goal-scoring division. His drought now sits at 10 video games, and he has only one in his final 15 video games. Contemplating Nugent-Hopkins discovered the again of the online 37 instances final season, he has taken a step again in that space this yr. 1 41-21-4
6

Jets
The Jets are nonetheless rolling towards the playoffs, they usually’re nonetheless in a decent battle for the Central Division crown. Beneath the hood, issues have began to slide recently with their middling five-on-five numbers being proof of that. On the optimistic aspect of issues, Winnipeg’s energy play is tied for first since Feb. 20 (with the Sharks!), and Connor Hellebuyck has been a brick wall. Even when these even-strength numbers keep in the midst of the pack, the Jets have a pair key areas going robust because the postseason nears. 1 44-19-5
7

Stars
Let’s have a really robust dialogue, Stars followers. Nearly as good as Jake Oettinger has confirmed he could be, he has not been excellent this yr. Oettinger’s -8.95 targets saved above common ranks 82nd. His .896 save share ranks sixty fourth. His .768 high-danger save share ranks 74th. That is tough, and it might sink an elite roster if Oettinger’s struggles bleed over into the playoffs. 3 41-19-9
8

Bruins
Pavel Zacha has quietly been producing for the Bruins recently. He’s driving an eight-game level streak, and Zacha has totaled 11 factors in that stretch. Boston would not essentially have the strongest group of facilities amongst playoff groups, so it is important that gamers like Zacha are in a position to elevate their sport on the proper time of yr. Thus far, it seems like Zacha has been in a position to do exactly that. 2 41-14-15
9

Canucks
Thatcher Demko is out week-to-week with a lower-body damage, and that’s dangerous information for the Canucks. Demko has been stellar for Vancouver, and he’s a giant purpose why the group has a pleasant cushion atop the Pacific Division. Whereas Casey DeSmith has been a serviceable backup, he’s leaps and bounds under Demko in any variety of classes. Down the stretch, it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how properly the Canucks maintain up with out their security internet in purpose. — 43-18-8
10

Predators
The Norris Trophy race in all probability consists of Quinn Hughes on the high and a race for second place under him, however Roman Josi is doing his greatest to make issues attention-grabbing. After a little bit of a sluggish begin, Josi is enjoying a few of the greatest hockey of his profession. Within the final month, Josi has seven targets and 13 assists in 14 video games, making him a point-per-game participant. Oh yeah, he additionally owns an absurd 66.5% anticipated targets share in that span. 1 40-25-4
11

Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews has gotten many of the consideration in Toronto this season, and that is greater than truthful. Scoring a boatload of targets and being a Hart Trophy contender will try this. I do need to give a nod to Mitch Marner, who’s at present enjoying at a 100-point tempo and crushing his minutes at five-on-five. With Marner on the ice in these conditions, the Leafs have a plus-20 purpose differential this season. 3 38-20-9
12

Lightning
It could not all the time be fairly, however the Lightning are discovering a solution to win lately. Living proof: Saturday’s win over the rival Panthers. The Bolts obtained outshot 50-16 in that contest, however they gained by a rating of 5-3. It is perhaps a tense struggle to the end for a playoff spot, but when Tampa will get in, you must suppose a division winner would not be thrilled about that matchup within the first spherical. 3 37-25-6
13

Kings
The Kings have been considerably inconsistent during the last month, however there’s a clear brilliant spot on the group. Kevin Fiala has actually began to seek out his scoring contact with 9 targets in his final 15 video games. A former 30-goal scorer, Fiala has the power to fill the online, and a Los Angeles squad that has struggled to mild the lamp this season will want extra of that to go on a deep playoff run. 1 35-22-11
14

Golden Knights
Accidents have hit the Golden Knights arduous this season, however Jonathan Marchessault is doing his half to carry the offense collectively whereas gamers like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone have missed vital time. Marchessault already has 38 tallies on the season, the best mark of his profession by a cushty margin, and there are nonetheless 14 video games left. The 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner is simply rising his legend in Vegas. 1 36-25-7
15

Capitals
What the Capitals are doing proper now could be nothing lower than mind-bending. They traded some key gamers forward of the deadline, they usually appear to have much less firepower than their opponents on a nightly foundation. But, Washington has gained three straight and sits in a playoff spot with a minus-27 purpose differential. Netminder Charlie Lindgren has quite a bit to do with the Caps’ success, however all the group has been grinding out wins recently. 6 33-25-9
16

Wild
The Wild are nonetheless attempting to claw their approach right into a playoff spot, however their penalty kill is not serving to them. That unit has killed off simply 73.2% of the ability performs it has confronted within the final month. That ranks twenty seventh in that stretch. Minnesota has really been fairly strong at even energy, however that penalty kill erases the arduous work the group does in different conditions. At this level, the Wild simply must hope Marc-Andre Fleury or Filip Gustavsson can get sizzling whereas shorthanded. 2 34-27-8
17

Flyers
For higher or worse, John Tortorella has the very same requirements for each participant on his group. On Tuesday, Tortorella made the choice to scratch captain Sean Couturier, who has had his ups and downs after getting back from damage this season. Couturier does have only one level in his final 9 video games, but it surely’s nonetheless extremely uncommon for a group to scratch a captain. Tortorella has pushed all the appropriate buttons for Philly to this point, and it labored once more because the Flyers topped the Leafs for an enormous win. 1 35-26-8
18

Blues
The more serious the Blues get at five-on-five, the higher they appear to get on the scoreboard. They now rank thirtieth in anticipated targets share at a dismal 43.3%. Regardless of that, the Blues simply rattled off 4 wins in a row to stay within the playoff race. Very similar to the Capitals, the Blues can attribute quite a lot of their success to goaltending. Jordan Binnington has been bailing out the group in entrance of him left and proper this season. 5 36-30-3
19

Islanders
Jean-Gabriel Pageau has the fifth-most five-on-five ice time of any Islanders forwards, and the group has not fared properly in these minutes. Pageau is admittedly struggling this season, posting a 43.5% anticipated targets shared and minus-11 purpose differential in these conditions. He additionally has one purpose and three assists in his final 12 video games. That form of underlines the depth points the Isles have had this yr. 5 29-24-15
20

Pink Wings
The Pink Wings have simply barely been in a position to throw the brakes on their plummet to the underside of the standings. On Tuesday evening, it took the whole lot Detroit needed to beat the Blue Jackets after getting outplayed for many of the sport. Since Jan. 1, Alex DeBrincat has a whopping three five-on-five targets in 32 video games. The Wings could very properly get a wild card spot, however they’d be cannon fodder for his or her first-round opponent. 3 35-28-6
21

Sabres
Ukko-Pekka Luukonen is within the midst of a breakout season in purpose. By 44 appearances, Luukonen has saved 13.6 targets above common (seventh) and owns a powerful .915 save share. His .839 high-danger save share can be among the many greatest within the NHL. Luukonen has fully seized the crease in Buffalo, and he has given the group an out of doors shot of creeping into the second wild card spot. 1 33-32-5
22

Flames
Dustin Wolf, a highly-touted goaltending prospect for the Flames, has taken over the crease whereas Jacob Markstrom recovers from an damage. Up to now, it has been a little bit of a blended bag for Wolf. In 10 appearances this season, Wolf has allowed 1.64 targets above common, however he has had a pair spectacular video games. With Markstrom probably on the commerce block this offseason, Wolf needs to be the No. 1 goalie for Calgary in 2024-25. 2 33-30-5
23

Devils
On Tuesday evening, the Devils gained the Finish This Season Already Bowl in opposition to the Penguins. Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier each notched a pair of targets, however their surges are a bit too late to avoid wasting New Jersey’s season. Possibly they’ll construct some confidence going into the 2024-25 season as a result of New Jersey will want them each to bounce again and compete for a Cup. 1 33-32-4
24

Kraken
On the subject of five-on-five play, the Kraken have been among the best groups within the NHL at stopping targets in opposition to. Their 121 targets allowed rank sixth within the league. Sadly for Seattle, its offense has been as dangerous because the protection and goaltending has been good. Their 122 five-on-five targets rank twenty seventh, and the Kraken are on tempo to complete the season with simply two 20-goal scorers. Including extra talent to the ahead group must be a precedence within the offseason. 5 28-27-12
25

Penguins
Rickard Rakell’s struggles must be discouraging for the Penguins. After tallying 28 targets and 32 assists in 82 video games final season, Rakell has simply 10 targets and 19 assists in 56 video games this season. Rakell has battled damage, however he’s additionally on the mistaken aspect of 30 at this level in his profession. It is truthful to marvel what the ultimate 4 years of his contract ($5 million per season) will appear like. — 30-29-9
26

Senators
With Ottawa already trying towards subsequent season, will Josh Norris be with the group past the 2022-23 season? Norris not too long ago underwent season-ending shoulder surgical procedure, and even when he was within the lineup, the outcomes weren’t nice. Will a group be keen to tackle a $7.95 million contract for a gifted participant who has missed vital time on account of a number of surgical procedures lately? That can be one thing to observe this summer season. 4 28-35-4
27

Coyotes
Dylan Guenther, the No. 9 general decide within the 2021 NHL Draft, has performed 30 NHL video games this season. In that point, his profession has gotten off to a promising begin. Guenther has 10 targets and 10 assists in 2023-24, and his underlying numbers are fairly strong too. He is one other thrilling younger participant in Arizona’s group. Now if solely the group might work out the whole lot off the ice. 2 28-35-5
28

Blue Jackets
In simply two years’ time Johnny Gaudreau has gone from scoring 40 targets to being on tempo for 13. That is a steep fall from grace for Gaudreau, who has proven the power to be a high-end playmaker on this league. Columbus can solely hope that, as soon as it rebuilds this roster beneath a brand new GM, Gaudreau is ready to discover some magic in an improved surroundings. 1 23-34-12
29

Blackhawks
Connor Bedard, enjoying on a surprisingly dangerous roster, has in some way managed to place up 10 factors in his final 4 video games. Bedard is now as much as 21 targets and 33 assists in 55 video games, and any questions on Calder Trophy competitors have been all however silenced by now. Bedard has lived as much as the hype this season, and the thought of Chicago including Macklin Celebrini to its lineup is simply in all probability sickening for the remainder of the league. 1 19-45-5
30

Canadiens
Kaiden Guhle, the No. 16 general decide within the 2020 draft, is one other younger participant the Canadiens are banking on to construct the group again right into a contender. Up to now, the outcomes have been simply okay. Guhle owns a 48.0% anticipated targets share at five-on-five, and Montreal has a minus-15 purpose differential with him on the ice in these conditions. Guhle has had some good moments in 2023-24, however the Habs want him to take a transparent step ahead subsequent yr. 4 25-31-12
31

Geese
The Geese have now misplaced seven straight video games in regulation, they usually’re making a powerful push for the No. 1 general decide within the 2024 NHL Draft. The massive check for Anaheim can be whether or not it might maintain its shedding methods moving into a really winnable sport in opposition to the Blackhawks on Thursday. — 23-43-3
32

Sharks
Because the commerce deadline, the Sharks have been a punching bag for any group hoping to extend its playoff probabilities. San Jose is 1-5-0 in that span, and it has been outscored 27-13. Solely 14 video games left, Sharks followers! — 16-45-7