Lightning
Andrei Vasilevskiy is in his twelfth season, and he appears to be like nearly as good as ever. His 13.8 objectives saved above common rank sixth within the NHL, and solely three common starters have a greater GAA than Vasilevskiy at 2.22. He is shortly rising up the checklist of 2026 Vezina Trophy candidates. 1 32-13-4
2

Avalanche
Accidents are beginning to pile up for the Avalanche. They’re 4-3-1 in January. Between that and the truth that the Bolts are smoking scorching, I needed to bump Colorado right down to No. 2 for the primary time in months. 1 34-6-9
3

Purple Wings
In his final 9 video games, Alex DeBrincat has six objectives and 6 assists. He is now on tempo to set new profession highs in objectives (42), assists (42) and factors (84). I positive hope Group USA would not remorse leaving him at house subsequent month! — 31-16-5
4

Hurricanes
Jackson Blake is within the midst of a breakout marketing campaign with 15 objectives and 29 factors in 50 video games. The 22-year-old additionally owns a 57.9% anticipated objectives share at five-on-five, and he is been thriving in top-six minutes. — 31-15-5
5

Golden Knights
The Golden Knights made headlines on the commerce market once more with their acquisition of Rasmus Andersson. The veteran defenseman’s five-on-five recreation has dipped over the previous few years in Calgary, however I believe Vegas is simply the crew to get him again on monitor as top-of-the-line defensive squads within the NHL. — 25-13-12
6

Canadiens
On Tuesday, Cole Caufield got here up clutch once more along with his seventh game-winning aim of the season. During the last three seasons, Caufield leads the league in game-winning objectives at 22, and his eight time beyond regulation objectives are tied for second. 1 28-16-7
7

Wild
On the age of 24 and in his fifteenth season, Marcus Foligno recorded his first hat trick on Tuesday evening. Foligno has lengthy been an elite defensive ahead, however he is exceeded 14 objectives in his profession simply as soon as. His large evening towards the Maple Leafs doubled his 2025-26 aim complete to 6. 1 29-14-9
8

Bruins
If anybody is able to serving to the Bruins overcome some troubling underlying numbers, it is David Pastrnak. He is as much as 20 objectives and 59 factors on the season, placing him on an 82-game tempo of 109, simply shy of his profession excessive. Pastrnak has Boston rolling with six straight wins. 5 29-20-2
9

Sabres
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has quietly turned his season round over the past month or so — which has coincided with the Sabres’ run. In his final 10 appearances, Luukkonen has posted 6.78 objectives above common and a .918 save proportion. If Buffalo will get goaltending like that, its playoff drought may finish. 1 28-17-5
10

Oilers
It is onerous to consider that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins grew to become simply the second participant ever to document 1,000 video games with the Oilers, regardless of so many legends like Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey coming earlier than him. The No. 1 decide in 2011, Nugent-Hopkins has been a top-six stalwart in Edmonton with 283 objectives and 505 assists in his profession. 1 25-19-8
11

Islanders
I’ve most likely talked sufficient about Ilya Sorokin this season, however right here we go once more. He is having top-of-the-line seasons of his profession, with 15.1 objectives saved above common and a preposterous .873 high-danger save proportion. He is the principle purpose the Isles occupy second place within the Metro. 1 27-18-5
12

Maple Leafs
Toronto has been dealt a troublesome blow with a groin damage to William Nylander. The Maple Leafs aren’t positive precisely when Nylander can be again, and he was pink scorching with six objectives and 6 assists in his final six video games. 3 24-18-9
13

Penguins
Sidney Crosby simply grew to become the primary participant in Penguins historical past to achieve 1,400 video games with the franchise, and he is nonetheless top-of-the-line gamers on the earth. On tempo for 93 factors on the age of 38, Crosby is an ageless marvel. Please give him one other shot on the Cup. 3 25-14-11
14

Stars
Matt Duchene had his season derailed by damage, and he hasn’t been the identical since returning on Dec. 7. Duchene has registered simply 11 factors in 25 video games, and he has one aim in his final 9 video games. Dallas has relied on elite ahead depth lately, but it surely hasn’t had that in 2025-26. 5 29-14-9
15

Mammoth
Dylan Guenther can rating, and he’s doing plenty of it this season. With 23 objectives this season, he is simply 4 off his profession excessive of 27, and there is plenty of hockey left to play. The previous No. 9 general decide has the potential to be a 40-goal scorer (no less than) on this league very quickly. 8 26-20-4
16

Sharks
Might I quibble with what the Sharks gave as much as purchase a middle-six grinder in Kiefer Sherwood? Certain, however Sherwood is an thrilling participant, and that is an thrilling crew. San Jose is beginning to flip a nook, and GM Mike Grier has rewarded his crew for its efforts. 3 25-21-3
17

Panthers
Sergei Bobrovsky is giving Jordan Binnington a run for his cash as probably the most disappointing goalie within the NHL. Bobrovsky’s 17.8 objectives saved above common rank ninetieth out of 91 goalies, and his .752 high-danger save proportion is abysmal. 5 26-20-3
18

Senators
a crew’s goaltending is dangerous when a star participant is overtly criticizing it after a loss. In Jake Sanderson’s protection, you would be mad too in case your goaltender allowed six objectives on 19 pictures in a key divisional recreation. 4 23-20-7
19

Geese
The Geese’ defensive recreation is slowly coming collectively. Early within the season, they struggled to defend even probably the most inept offenses. Since Dec. 1, Anaheim ranks thirteenth in anticipated objectives towards at five-on-five. These enhancements are lastly beginning to translate to wins. 5 26-21-3
20

Kraken
If the Kraken have been hoping for a bounce-back 12 months from Chandler Stephenson, it is not coming. His five-on-five impacts stay a few of the worst on the crew, and an uptick in scoring is not sufficient to offset that. The issue for the Kraken is that their choices at middle are restricted as it’s. 3 22-18-9
21

Devils
An already robust season for Luke Hughes was dealt a devastating blow within the type of a shoulder damage on Monday. Hughes was already struggling defensively, and he might now miss prolonged time. New Jersey was relying on a step ahead from Hughes, however which will have to attend for 2026-27. — 26-22-2
22

Capitals
John Carlson has nonetheless acquired it on the age of 36. Not solely does he have 38 factors in 46 video games, however Carlson additionally boasts a 52.2% anticipated objectives share and a plus-13 aim differential at five-on-five. He is been a key a part of spectacular work from the Washington blue line this season. 4 25-21-6
23

Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets are 3-1-0 with Rick Bowness behind the bench, and Elvis Merzlikins hasn’t been shy about crediting the teaching change for this little surge. The query: Is it a short teaching change bump, or can Bowness faucet into this roster and get extra out of it? 3 23-20-7
24

Flyers
Philly has been trending within the flawed path this month, and you may thank goaltending for portion of this slide. The crew’s netminding trio has mixed to permit 11.2 objectives above common in January.

Kings
The Kings have scored two or fewer objectives in 26 of 49 video games this season. That is 53.1% of their video games for non-math majors. For sure, Los Angeles has been a troublesome watch. 5 20-16-13
26

Predators
Tuesday’s loss to the Sabres snapped a pleasant run of type from Roman Josi. Over a four-game stretch, he piled up three objectives and 7 objectives. It was classic Josi, and that is the participant Nashville wants if it should push for a playoff spot. 1 24-22-4
27

Flames
Did the Rasmus Andersson commerce sign the beginning of a … hearth sale … for the Flames? Simply kidding (not likely), however Nazem Kadri’s days in Calgary could also be numbered at this level. 1 21-25-5
28

Blackhawks
After posting 31 objectives in 2024-25, Ryan Donato’s scoring has come again right down to Earth. He is sitting on 10 objectives this season, and he hasn’t scored since Jan. 3. 1 21-22-8
29

Jets
It has been a protracted season for the Jets, however Jonathan Toews’ return to Chicago was one of many highlights for positive. Toews is a Blackhawks legend, and he acquired the reception you’d count on after two seasons away from the sport. — 20-23-7
30

Blues
Brayden Schenn is reportedly on the commerce block, however I would be curious to know what his commerce worth is. Schenn has two years left on his contract at $6.5 million per 12 months, and the 34-year-old is pacing for one of many worst seasons of his profession with 19 factors in 50 video games. — 19-24-8
31

Rangers
For the second time in eight years, the Rangers have penned a letter to followers explaining {that a} rebuild is on the way in which. Did they win something in any respect in these eight years? In no way. Will there be a 3rd letter eight years from now? I type of hope so. — 21-24-6
32

Canucks
Vancouver has misplaced eight straight video games in regulation and hasn’t gained a recreation in 2026 but. If solely Vancouver followers nonetheless had the Grizzlies to distract them. — 17-28-5