1
Devils
The Devils’ successful streak is now at 13 video games, and so they appear to be getting higher with every passing victory. Sometimes, a group can exhale after piling up this many consecutive wins, however that hasn’t occurred with New Jersey. This group simply retains rising to the problem regardless of having a goal on its again.
—
16-4-0
2
Bruins
These are energy rankings, so I do not need them to easily be a standings replace, however I do really feel it is necessary to level out that the Bruins have a greater level proportion than the Devils and are driving a seven-game successful streak of their very own. For these questioning, Boston and New Jersey will meet on Dec. 23.
—
17-3-0
3
Golden Knights
Mark Stone has 4 targets in his final three video games, which brings him to eight on the season. That is only one behind his 2021-22 whole of 9, which Stone hit in 37 video games performed. The two largest causes for Stone’s success: his well being and his taking pictures proportion, which is again up round his profession common at 15.4%.
—
16-4-1
4
Avalanche
The Avs have not precisely been dominating at five-on-five via the primary quarter of the season, however that hasn’t mattered as a result of their goaltending duo has been shockingly sensible. Alexandar Georgiev and Pavel Francouz have mixed for 13.05 targets saved above common, per Natural Stat Trick.
2
11-6-1
5
Stars
Jamie Benn has seemed rather more like his outdated self this season. He has eight targets and 20 factors in 19 video games after posting a complete of 46 factors in 82 video games final season. Benn is one other participant who has benefited from the Peter DeBoer impact. If he can hold this up, the Stars could possibly be battling atop the Central Division all 12 months.
3
12-5-3
6
Hurricanes
The Hurricanes dropped all three of their video games final week, however it’s arduous to ding them an excessive amount of within the standings. Carolina misplaced every one in time beyond regulation after holding its personal in regulation. Unless the NHL switches to three-on-three full-time, the Canes needs to be simply nice.
2
10-6-4
7
Lightning
Nikita Kucherov hasn’t come near taking part in a full common season since 2018-19, when he received the Hart Trophy with 128 factors. Kucherov is on tempo to play a full season this 12 months, and he’s additionally on tempo to breed that MVP marketing campaign, a minimum of offensively. Through 19 video games, Kucherov is pacing for a tick over 120 factors.
5
11-7-1
8
Kraken
In his final eight begins, goaltender Martin Jones has stopped 94.7% of the pictures he has confronted whereas saving 9.54 targets above common, per Natural Stat Trick. Jones’ efficiency is a stunning and constructive improvement for the Kraken, who’ve been trying to find dependable goaltending for the reason that begin of final season.
5
11-5-3
9
Jets
In Thursday evening’s 3-2 win over the Ducks, Kyle Connor scored a hat trick, with the third objective coming with below a minute left in regulation. This Jets group has developed a knack for dramatic targets within the dying seconds of the third interval.
2
11-6-1
10
Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs are 1-5 in video games which have gone previous regulation. While removed from the one purpose for the group’s considerably irritating begin, successful a few these video games modifications the outlook noticeably. Despite these time beyond regulation struggles, Toronto nonetheless sits in second place within the Atlantic Division.
—
11-5-5
11
Blues
Mr. Hyde’s reign of terror has led to St. Louis, and Dr. Jekyll has returned to his regular kind. The Blues tumbled within the energy rankings and the standings as a result of an eight-game dropping streak, however they all of a sudden determined to cease dropping video games and begin successful them. St. Louis has now received seven straight, and the group has shot proper again into playoff place.
10
10-9-0
12
Islanders
It has occurred. Mathew Barzal has lastly scored a objective. In truth, Barzal scored two in a single sport! Granted, it was within the Islanders’ 5-2 loss to the Stars, however Barzal has to be ok with lastly snapping an 18-game objective drought to start out the season.
7
13-8-0
13
Panthers
Sergei Bobrovsky had a little bit of a bounce-back season final 12 months, however he’s again to struggling between the pipes. In 11 video games, Bobrovsky has allowed 5.80 targets above common, which ranks 67th within the NHL. Spencer Knight was already consuming into Bobrovsky’s timeshare, however that ought to solely proceed over the following couple of weeks.
6
10-8-2
14
Flames
Like a number of gamers on the Flames, MacKenzie Weegar has been ice chilly via the primary quarter of the season. After notching 44 factors in 80 video games final season, he has simply 5 factors in 18 video games performed this 12 months. If there may be some excellent news, it is that Weegar’s on-ice impacts have been excellent. Calgary has managed 60.03% of the anticipated targets with him on the ice at five-on-five.
1
9-7-3
15
Rangers
It looks like I write about Adam Fox each week, however it would not matter. Fox has been on a tear currently and is presently driving a nine-game level streak. In that point, Fox has posted 4 targets and 10 assists. He has now handed Artemi Panarin within the group lead for factors with 23. Fox could also be driving an unsustainably excessive taking pictures proportion, however followers in New York simply want to take a seat again and revel in it.
1
10-7-4
16
Kings
The Kings have hit an unlucky skid currently. They have dropped three straight video games, together with one to the reeling Canucks. Los Angeles continues to be clinging to the second-place spot within the Pacific Division, however it has performed 4 extra video games than the Kraken and the Flames.
7
11-9-2
17
Penguins
Evgeni Malkin simply performed in his 1,000th sport on Sunday, and enjoyable was had by all concerned (besides the Blackhawks). Malkin’s son acquired to learn the beginning lineup within the locker room, the group mimicked Malkin’s warmup routine, and Malkin scored his 452nd profession objective in a 5-2 win. That’s not a nasty day on the workplace.
2
10-7-3
18
Oilers
Through 19 video games, we’ve a reasonably clear image of the Oilers’ goaltending state of affairs. Stuart Skinner is top-10 within the NHL in targets saved above common, per Natural Stat Trick, and Jack Campbell has a GAA of 4.07 and has allowed a whopping 9.89 targets above common. Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft has to experience Skinner for some time, particularly given the group’s defensive shortcomings.
4
10-10-0
19
Predators
The Predators have picked up 9 out of a attainable 10 factors of their final 5 video games, and so they appear to have discovered some stability. Between Roman Josi heating up and Juuse Saros beginning to discover his sport in web, Nashville has labored its method again into the playoff race in time to get pleasure from some turkey and stuffing.
5
9-9-2
20
Red Wings
Andrew Copp was one of many Red Wings’ largest offseason signings, however he has not labored out to this point. Copp has only one objective on the 12 months, however previously his defensive skill has made up for that lack of manufacturing. That hasn’t been the case in 2022-23. With Copp on the ice at five-on-five, Detroit has scored eight targets and allowed 11.
—
10-5-4
21
Wild
The Wild are twenty eighth within the NHL with a group taking pictures proportion of 8.7% in all conditions. It’s robust to know precisely how a lot of that is because of poor luck, however the group additionally ranks twenty first in whole anticipated targets. Kirill Kaprizov may have the ability to carry this Minnesota group right here and there, however ultimately another person has to step up on offense.
3
9-8-2
22
Canadiens
Jake Allen has gotten many of the begins for the Canadiens in latest weeks, and it has value them. Allen is having a poor season in objective, and it has solely gotten worse of late. In his final 4 video games, Allen has allowed a minimum of 4 targets, and he surrendered seven in Montreal’s loss to the Sabres on Tuesday evening. Sam Montembeault in all probability must see extra motion.
5
10-9-1
23
Capitals
The Capitals are 2-6-2 of their final 10 video games, and there hasn’t been a lot to cheer about in Washington currently. If nothing else, it is at all times enjoyable to look at Alex Ovechkin chase Wayne Gretzky’s all-time targets report. On that entrance, Ovechkin is off to an honest begin with 9 targets in 20 video games performed.
1
8-10-3
24
Sharks
I touched on Erik Karlsson’s bounce-back season final week, however Logan Couture seems to be in the identical boat. Last 12 months, Couture totaled 23 targets in 77 video games. Through 21 video games this season, he has 10 targets. I’m unsure whether or not Couture can nonetheless sustain that tempo for a full season, however he’s one other veteran that has elevated his worth for the Sharks as they proceed the rebuild.
5
7-12-3
25
Blue Jackets
No group has given up extra five-on-five targets than the Blue Jackets. They are lifeless final in that class with 60 targets in opposition to, and the Sharks are the following closest group at 54. That’s what occurs when porous protection meets terrible goaltending.
5
7-11-1
26
Flyers
The Flyers merely can’t purchase a win proper now. They have misplaced seven straight video games, and one latest loss got here in gorgeous vogue. The Canadiens’ Cole Caufield tied Saturday’s sport with below two seconds left in regulation, and Montreal went on to win in a shootout. This appears extra just like the Philadelphia group everybody anticipated earlier than the season.
3
7-8-5
27
Coyotes
Jacob Chychrun made his 2022-23 debut in opposition to the Predators on Monday evening, and it is going to be attention-grabbing to see precisely how for much longer he is in a Coyotes uniform. Trade rumors round Chychrun have been swirling since final season, and now that he is wholesome, these commerce talks may solely get extra intense.
—
7-9-2
28
Canucks
Brock Boeser is having a depressing season in Vancouver. He has scored simply twice, with each targets coming in a single sport, and his on-ice outcomes have been brutal. With Boeser on the ice at five-on-five, the Canucks have scored simply 9 targets and allowed 18 targets in opposition to, per Natural Stat Trick.
4
7-10-3
29
Senators
The Senators have received simply two video games in November, and now their offense has largely vanished. Captain Brady Tkachuk even got here to the protection of head coach D.J. Smith, saying he’s “sick and drained” of seeing Smith get criticism from so many alternative angles.
1
6-12-1
30
Blackhawks
Patrik Kane has scored simply three targets in 18 video games, and his taking pictures proportion sits at a profession low 5.7%. That’s not terribly stunning given the truth that the roster is devoid of expertise, and Kane is making an attempt to pull the group into the ballpark of being aggressive.
4
6-10-3
31
Sabres
I really feel for the folks of Buffalo. I actually do. The Sabres began out the season by giving followers hope that this 12 months is likely to be totally different. Then, Buffalo misplaced seven straight video games in regulation, and the group has fallen out of the playoff image. Connor Bedard could possibly be quite a lot of enjoyable in a Sabres uniform.
6
Sep 11-0
32
Ducks
The Ducks weren’t essentially alleged to be good this season, however additionally they weren’t alleged to be fully wretched. Anaheim has received three of its final 10 video games and sits lifeless final within the NHL standings, two factors behind the Ottawa Senators. Head coach Dallas Eakins is feeling the warmth proper now.
1
6-13-1
