1
Bruins
Goal-scoring machine Matt Grzelyck is now on a two-game aim streak. That brings his season whole as much as three. Jokes apart, Grzelyck has been excellent for the Bruins this season. With Grzelyck on the ice at five-on-five, Boston is outscoring opponents 35-12, per Natural Stat Trick. That’s the very best mark on the group.
—
34-5-4
2
Lightning
So a lot for any sort of change atop the Atlantic Division. The Bruins are the very best group within the NHL, and the Bolts look as sturdy as they’ve at any level throughout their current run. Those two groups could also be led by veterans, however there isn’t a slowing them down, and a second-round sequence between the Lightning and Bruins could be a sight to behold.
3
28-13-1
3
Hurricanes
Frederik Andersen made his return to the Hurricanes’ internet final week, and he did not present any indicators of rust. In wins over the Blue Jackets and Penguins, Andersen allowed simply three targets on 58 photographs. There aren’t many issues about this Carolina roster so long as Andersen is absolutely wholesome the remainder of the season.
1
27-9-8
4
Rangers
K’Andre Miller scored with below a second left in regulation to tie the sport in opposition to the Stars final week, and he’s actually coming into his personal this yr. Miller has already set new profession highs in assists (20) and factors (25), and he wants three extra targets to surpass final yr’s whole of seven. Adam Fox will get a number of consideration, and for good cause, however Miller has emerged as a budding star too.
2
25-13-7
5
Devils
After a troublesome December, the Devils are again the place they belong close to the highest of the Power Rankings. They have gained 5 video games in a row, and they’re 6-1-1 in January. New Jersey has discovered its groove on offense once more, and Jesper Bratt has quite a bit to do with that. Since New Year’s Day, Bratt has notched six targets and 11 factors in eight video games.
9
29-12-3
6
Kraken
Road journeys do not get significantly better than the one the Kraken simply had. They went 7-0-0 on their street swing throughout North America, they usually outscored their opponents 37-15 within the course of. To prime all of it off, Seattle even handed Boston its first house regulation lack of the season. At this level, the Kraken may foyer the NHL for 82 street video games subsequent season.
5
26-14-4
7
Maple Leafs
Earlier this season, Toronto acquired defenseman Connor Timmins simply to have one other wholesome physique on the blue line, and he has been way more than that to date. In his 14 video games with the Leafs, Timmins has posted 10 factors, and the group has outscored opponents 13-11 with him on the ice at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick.
3
27-11-7
8
Jets
It’s time for me to begin giving the Jets extra respect. I nonetheless have my doubts about this group exterior of the crease, but it surely’s onerous to argue with what Winnipeg has accomplished up to now within the season, in addition to what the group has accomplished these days. The Jets have gained eight of their final 10 as they assert themselves atop the Central Division.
1
29-15-1
9
Stars
Miro Heiskanen has been an excellent defenseman for a couple of years now, however he has elevated his recreation in 2022-23. Not solely is Dallas controlling play with Heiskanen within the recreation, however he’s additionally getting extra concerned offensively. Heiskanen has 27 assists and 34 factors in 42 video games, and he’ll crush his earlier highs in each of these classes by a rustic mile.
1
26-12-7
10
Wild
The Wild have signed 21-year-old ahead Matt Boldy to a seven-year contract extension price a complete of $49 million. Considering Boldy has 27 targets and 68 factors in his first 90 NHL video games, that contract may appear to be a steal for normal supervisor Bill Guerin in simply a few years.
7
25-14-4
11
Kings
There is a number of buzz for Erik Karlsson in San Jose, however Drew Doughty is one other veteran defenseman who has turned again the clock on his profession. With 27 factors in 45 video games, Doughty hasn’t posted the identical sort of gaudy offensive numbers as Karlsson, however he has been simply as impactful. With Doughty on the ice at five-on-five, the Kings have managed 55.62% of the anticipated targets at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick.
1
25-15-6
12
Capitals
Erik Gustafsson has been one of many NHL’s most nice surprises this yr. In the 4 seasons previous to this one, Gustafsson performed simply 95 NHL video games for 4 totally different groups. This season, Gustafsson has been a mainstay for the Capitals and has supplied some offensive pop with 26 factors in 46 video games. Washington additionally has a plus-8 aim differential with him on the ice at five-on-five.
5
24-17-6
13
Golden Knights
On the entire this season, Logan Thompson has been superb in internet for the Golden Knights. However, his play has dipped a bit within the final month. Since Dec. 17, Thompson has allowed 1.37 targets above common. That’s not horrible, however it’s a notable step again from how he was taking part in previous to this droop.
—
28-15-2
14
Oilers
Connor McDavid may fail to document some extent in each recreation for the remainder of the season, and he would nonetheless common simply over some extent per recreation. He is the eighth surprise of the world, and if followers do not get to see him within the playoffs, it is going to be a travesty. Luckily, a four-game successful streak has improved the Oilers’ place within the standings.
7
25-18-3
15
Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon is again to full well being and appears like himself once more. In his final seven video games, MacKinnon has recorded 5 targets and 13 factors. According to Natural Stat Trick, MacKinnon has a plus-10 aim differential at five-on-five in that stretch too. With MacKinnon rolling, search for Colorado to surge within the Central Division.
—
22-17-3
16
Flames
There could also be indicators that Andrew Mangiapane is getting his scoring contact again. Mangiapane has discovered the again of the online twice in his final 4 video games after scoring simply seven targets within the first half of the season. Mangiapane is likely one of the gamers Calgary wants so as to contend for the Stanley Cup, so the group has to hope that is the beginning of a scorching streak for him.
3
21-15-9
17
Sabres
They say the brightest stars burn out the quickest. After cracking the top-10 final week, the Sabres have began to return again right down to Earth. Buffalo has misplaced 5 of its final six, and it has misplaced some floor within the Eastern Conference playoff race. Let’s hope this group catches hearth once more as a result of it might be enjoyable to see this Sabres group within the combine down the stretch.
9
21-19-3
18
Blues
Ivan Barbashev blew his profession highs out of the water final season with 26 targets and 60 factors. Coming into 2022-23, one of many greatest questions for the Blues was whether or not he may reproduce that effort. To this level, that hasn’t been the case. Barbashev is on tempo for 11 targets and 26 assists, and he’s a candidate to be on the commerce block over the subsequent six weeks.
—
22-20-3
19
Penguins
Due to an damage to Tristan Jarry earlier this month, Casey DeSmith has gotten extra begins between the pipes for the Penguins. In that brief stretch, DeSmith has allowed 2.02 targets above common. Pittsburgh has extra issues than simply goaltending proper now, however DeSmith hasn’t essentially been bailing out the gamers in entrance of him.
3
22-15-6
20
Flyers
John Tortorella banned iPads on the bench throughout video games, and Travis Konecny instantly scored a hat trick in opposition to the Capitals. Angry Birds is a number of enjoyable, but it surely may’ve been holding the Flyers again through the first half of the season.
2
19-19-7
21
Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk is doing all the pieces in his energy to pull the Panthers to the playoffs. He has 5 targets and 13 factors in his final eight video games, and Florida has a five-on-five aim differential of plus-15 with him on the ice this season. The Panthers have struggled simply to stay within the playoff image, however Tkachuk is pulling his weight after which some.
2
21-20-5
22
Predators
Yaroslav Askarov, the No. 11 total decide within the 2020 draft, acquired his first begin in aim for the Predators final week. The 20-year-old acquitted himself effectively and made some saves, however sadly for him, the Predators opened up a capturing gallery for the Canadiens in a 4-3 loss.
5
21-17-6
23
Islanders
The Islanders have misplaced 5 of their final six video games as they battle to search out the again of the online. Ilya Sorokin’s impeccable goaltending has helped preserve the Isles in a few these video games, however the group is fading rapidly. In a aggressive Eastern Conference, the Islanders must get again on monitor rapidly or they will fall by the wayside.
3
23-18-4
24
Red Wings
Through 43 video games with the Red Wings, Andrew Copp has simply 4 targets. Last season, he had eight targets with the Rangers … in 16 video games. In the offseason, Detroit paid Copp to be a key a part of the group’s future, however the early returns on that contract are extraordinarily regarding.
—
18-17-8
25
Senators
The Senators’ offense has fallen silent as they’ve been shutout twice in simply over per week and managed just one aim in Monday’s loss to the Blues. After getting blown out 7-0 by the Avalanche, captain Brady Tkachuk referred to as the efficiency “embarrassing,” however the actual query is how does Ryan Reynolds really feel about all this?
—
19-21-3
26
Canucks
On this week’s episode of ‘As the Canucks Turn,’ president Jim Rutherford talked about needing to do “main surgical procedure” on the roster whereas stating that Bruce Boudreau is the top coach “proper now.” It’s by no means a very good signal when somebody refers to your job safety on a minute-to-minute foundation.
—
18-22-3
27
Canadiens
The Habs have now gained three of their final 4, and Sam Montembeault is to thank for his or her current mini-surge. In his final 4 begins, Montembeault has stopped 138 of the 145 photographs he is confronted whereas saving 5.90 targets above common, per Natural Stat Trick.
1
19-23-3
28
Blue Jackets
If you are a Blue Jackets fan in the hunt for excellent news of any variety, Patrik Laine did finish his nine-game aim drought with a hat trick in opposition to the Detroit Red Wings. The group is extra enjoyable to look at when he’s letting it rip, in order that’s one thing.
3
13-29-2
29
Sharks
San Jose has gained only one recreation in its final six tries, and that one win got here in opposition to a group that has now misplaced 10 in a row. In internet, James Reimer and Kaapo Kahkonen have mixed for -24.86 targets saved above common. At least Erik Karlsson continues to be taking part in effectively and protecting that commerce worth excessive!
—
13-23-9
30
Ducks
Just over midway by means of the season, the Ducks have a aim differential of minus-85. That is a few spectacular work, and they’re on tempo to complete with one of many worst aim differentials in NHL historical past. Right now, they’re monitoring to complete across the 1989-90 Quebec Nordiques, who had a aim differential of minus-167. That quantity is sweet for seventh-worst in league historical past.
3
12-28-5
31
Blackhawks
The Blackhawks noticed the Coyotes’ epic dropping streak and determined to cease messing round within the tankathon. On Saturday night time, Chicago allowed six first-period targets to the Kraken. Fortunately for us hockey followers, the Coyotes and Blackhawks nonetheless have three head-to-head matchups left.
1
12-26-4
32
Coyotes
The Coyotes have asserted themselves because the NHL’s worst group with a 10-game dropping streak. They got here shut to creating it 10 straight losses on Tuesday night time, however they did the inconceivable and engineered a third-period comeback in opposition to the Red Wings.
—
14-25-5
