1
Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have now received 9 video games in a row, they usually have not misplaced in regulation in over a month. Carolina is getting contributions from up and down the lineup, and rookie goaltender Petr Kochetkov has been a revelation. There is not any purpose to suppose this Canes group cannot win all of it on the finish of the 12 months.
2
23-6-6
2
Bruins
Boston has been bumped from its high spot after reigning supreme for a number of weeks. That has extra to do with the run the Hurricanes are on than any fault within the Bruins’ sport proper now. They’ve received 4 straight, and David Pastrnak stays one of many hottest gamers within the league.
1
27-4-3
3
Maple Leafs
With his game-winning additional time objective in opposition to the Blues on Tuesday evening, William Nylander is now using a four-game objective streak and tied with Auston Matthews for second on the group with 40 factors. Nylander is streaking towards one of the best season of his profession, which provides Toronto a four-headed monster at ahead.
2
22-7-6
4
Wild
Through virtually half of the season Filip Gustavsson has outplayed Marc-Andre Fleury in objective. In his 13 appearances, Gustavsson has saved 5.92 targets above common and a high-danger save share of 84.0%. That’s in all probability why head coach Dean Evason has been splitting the begins extra evenly between Gustavsson and Fleury recently.
—
20-12-2
5
Lightning
Nikita Kucherov has been piling up factors prefer it’s going out of fashion. In his final 5 video games, Kucherov has totaled two targets and 10 factors, and now he’s on tempo to hit roughly 126 factors on the 12 months. That’s simply two fewer than his Hart Trophy marketing campaign in 2018-19.
3
20-11-1
6
Penguins
As the Penguins have made their climb up the Metro Division standings in December, goaltender Tristan Jarry has been lights out in web. Since Dec. 1, Jarry has posted 5.40 targets saved above common, which ranks fifth in that span, per Natural Stat Trick.
1
19-10-5
7
Rangers
After posting optimistic underlying numbers and failing to get optimistic outcomes for a lot of the season, the Rangers have gotten again to what labored for them final season. Since Dec. 5, the Rangers have managed simply 44.54% of the anticipated targets at five-on-five, however they’ve gone 8-2-0. The Rangers appear content material to play in additional back-and-forth video games understanding that their offensive ability and Igor Shesterkin can win the day.
1
19-12-5
8
Stars
Jamie Benn seems rather more snug in Peter DeBoer’s system than he did in Rick Bowness’. Benn is using a six-game level streak, and he has 14 targets and 34 factors on the season. After wanting like he was on a pointy decline in 2021-22, Benn has bounced again in a serious approach this season.
—
21-9-6
9
Capitals
Alex Ovechkin is now second on the NHL’s all-time targets checklist. He handed Gordie Howe with a two-goal efficiency in opposition to the Jets on Friday evening, and now he wants 93 extra to go Wayne Gretzky. Even on the age of 37, Ovechkin has loads of power and appears poised to high The Great One by the point he retires.
2
20-13-4
10
Avalanche
In his first full season with the Avalanche, Arturri Lehkonen is flourishing, as many anticipated he would. Lehkonen was wonderful within the Avs’ 2022 Stanley Cup run, and that has carried over to this 12 months. With 9 targets, 14 assists, and 23 factors in 30 video games, Lehkonen is on tempo to set profession highs in every of these classes.
2
19-12-2
11
Golden Knights
Alex Pietrangelo struggled to regulate to his new group final season, however he seems extremely snug this season. In 28 video games performed this 12 months, Pietrangelo has posted 27 factors, and Vegas is controlling 56.95% of the anticipated targets with him on the ice at five-on-five, in line with Natural Stat Trick.
2
24-12-1
12
Jets
The Jets have been dwelling life on the sting this season. Their 14 regulation wins are tied for thirteenth within the NHL, however they sit simply three factors out of first place within the Central Division. Winnipeg is 7-1 in additional time, and as thrilling as which may be, it is onerous to see that as a components for long-term success.
2
21-13-1
13
Devils
Poor goaltending has reared its ugly head in New Jersey… once more. Since Dec. 9, the Devils are ninth within the NHL with a five-on-five anticipated targets share of 53.47%. However, their 1-6-1 document ranks thirty first. It’s in all probability no coincidence that the group’s five-on-five save share additionally ranks thirty first in that stretch at 88.44%.
4
22-10-2
14
Kings
After being traded to the Kings within the offseason, Kevin Fiala signed a giant seven-year contract, and he has been definitely worth the cash up to now. Fiala was acquired to present the Kings some offensive firepower, and he has carried out that. Fiala leads the group in assists (25) and factors (35), and he has given Los Angeles the dynamic playmaker it was in search of.
1
20-12-6
15
Sabres
With Tage Thompson shredding the league, the continuing breakout season from Dylan Cozens can get overshadowed on occasion. The No. 7 total choose within the 2019 draft, Cozens is beginning to appear like a participant with that type of pedigree. He has 11 targets and 31 factors in 32 video games performed and Cozens may have new profession highs in practically each offensive class by the point February rolls round.
1
16-14-2
16
Kraken
A 25-year-old journeyman, Daniel Sprong appears to have discovered a extra everlasting residence with the Kraken. Despite taking part in in a bottom-six position for a lot of the season, Sprong is tied for third on the group with 10 targets, and his 19 factors are one away from matching his profession excessive. Sprong has confirmed to be an exceptional addition for Seattle, and he has greater than earned his spot as an every-game participant.
2
18-10-4
17
Canucks
Elias Pettersson has been scoring in bursts this season, and he has three targets and 7 factors in his final three video games. He is now as much as 42 factors in 32 video games performed, and Pettersson seems extra just like the participant thought he could possibly be after tallying a mixed 132 factors in his first two NHL seasons.
6
16-15-3
18
Oilers
In 2021-22, Connor McDavid produced an unbelievable 123-point season. What he is doing this 12 months is making that appear like kid’s play. With 30 targets and 66 factors by means of 35 video games, McDavid is on tempo for 70 targets and 155 factors. The NHL hasn’t seen a single-season level whole that prime since Mario Lemieux in 1992-93.
—
19-15-2
19
Islanders
By the time his tenure with the Wild got here to an finish, it appeared like Zach Parise did not have a lot left within the tank. However, he has discovered new life in a flexible position with the Islanders. The 38-year-old Parise has 11 targets in 35 video games, and the group is controlling possession and scoring possibilities with him on the ice.
3
20-14-2
20
Blues
In the month of December, the Blues have scored at the least 4 targets seven occasions, however they’re 3-2-2 in thos video games. The goaltending tandem of Jordan Binnington and Thomas Greiss has not been constant in any respect, and neither goalie has gotten scorching. If St. Louis can maintain scoring at its present tempo whereas getting common goaltending, the group will shoot up the standings.
—
16-16-3
21
Senators
The Senators are one win away from getting their head above water within the standings, however sadly for them, their gradual begin might need created a mountain too tall to climb when it comes to reaching the playoffs. Ottawa remains to be seven factors out of a playoff spot regardless of taking part in some higher hockey of late.
4
15-16-3
22
Flames
When the Flames misplaced each Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk in the identical offseason, it was honest to anticipate a step again on offense, even with the expertise they introduced in. However, Calgary has gone from sixth within the league in scoring final 12 months to 18th this 12 months. Unfortunately for the Flames, their goaltending hasn’t acted as a security web whereas the offense figures some issues out.
1
16-13-7
23
Red Wings
Michael Rasmussen tallied 4 factors within the Red Wings’ win over the Lightning final week, and that makes up practically 33% of his factors on the season. If Detroit can get the previous first-round choose going, he would actually bolster the group’s depth scoring.
3
14-11-7
24
Panthers
I do not suppose this rating is actually consultant of the Panthers’ expertise degree or their five-on-five play. However, the group is simply not successful video games proper now, and it has to get dinged for that in some unspecified time in the future. The Panthers are 3-7-0 of their final 10 video games, they usually have fallen beneath .500 on the 12 months. Florida has to start out stacking wins or threat falling out of the playoff image.
5
15-16-4
25
Predators
David Legwand, a middle, beforehand held the Predators’ profession factors document with 566. He hit that quantity in 956 video games performed. Roman Josi, a defenseman, simply handed that mark in his 792nd sport. Josi has been top-of-the-line defensemen within the NHL for the higher a part of a decade, and now he sits atop the franchise document books. That is the one excellent news Nashville has gotten this month.
—
14-14-5
26
Canadiens
Juraj Slafkovsky, the No. 1 total choose within the 2022 NHL Draft, has had a tricky time adjusting to life within the NHL. He has 4 targets in 29 video games, and the Canadiens have solely managed 40.04% of the anticipated targets with him on the ice at five-on-five. Slafkovksy is simply 18-years-old, so he ought to take some ahead strides the remainder of the best way.
2
15-16-3
27
Coyotes
Since making his 2022-23 season debut on Nov. 21, Jacob Chychrun has 13 factors in 16 video games performed. Chychrun’s underlying numbers have additionally been strong when contemplating the dearth of expertise round him. The Coyotes’ asking value for the star defenseman has solely risen within the final month.
—
12-16-5
28
Sharks
Since making his 2022-23 season debut on Nov. 21, Jacob Chychrun has 16 factors in 17 video games performed. Chychrun’s underlying numbers have additionally been strong when contemplating the dearth of expertise round him. The Coyotes’ asking value for the star defenseman has solely risen within the final month.
1
11-19-6
29
Flyers
In the Flyers’ loss to the Hurricanes on Friday evening, defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen registered his first level of the season. That’s not ideally suited for a participant who simply signed a five-year, $25.5 million contract final offseason.
1
11-17-7
30
Ducks
Rookie middle Mason McTavish has began to warmth up a bit bit. He has two targets and 6 factors in his final 5 video games, which is good news for the Ducks. McTavish was the No. 3 total choose within the 2021 draft, and Anaheim is banking on him being a cornerstone of its rebuild.
—
9-22-4
31
Blackhawks
Congratulations to the Blackhawks for getting their first win in practically a month. Given that it got here in a head-to-head matchup with the group proper above them within the energy rankings, Chicago escapes the underside spot for at the least one week.
1
8-21-4
32
Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets simply gave the Blackhawks their first win since Dec. 3. That bullet level on their utility for the underside spot within the energy rankings was too spectacular to disregard.
1
10-21-2
