Welcome to the NHL Star Power Index: A weekly gauge of the gamers who’re controlling substantial buzz across the league. When a participant is included on this checklist it is probably not a superb factor — it implies that they’re capturing a considerable amount of the hockey world’s consideration.
These gamers are in no specific order on the subject of the quantity of buzz that they are creating. We’ll revisit the Star Power Index each week all through the common season.
Mitch Marner joined some elite firm this week, tying a Maple Leafs franchise report by recording a degree in 18 consecutive video games. During Wednesday’s contest, Marner was capable of lengthen his level streak with an empty-net aim with 1:11 remaining within the recreation and helped cement the Maple Leafs’ 3-1 victory.
In doing so, Marner tied streaks set by Darryl Sittler and Ed Olczyk. Sittler registered 33 factors from Jan. 26 to March 8, 1978 whereas Olczyk tallied 28 factors that spanned from Dec. 2, 1989 till Jan. 8, 1990.
During Marner’s historic streak, the Toronto winger has registered 24 factors (7 targets & 17 assists). Marner could have an opportunity to interrupt Sittler and Olczyk’s franchise report on Saturday when the Maple Leafs tackle the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 18-game factors streak is spectacular in its personal proper, however Marner has actually been capturing the puck nicely as of late. He has scored a aim in 4 consecutive video games and has actually been probably the most constant Maple Leaf on the offensive finish of the ice.
Marner at the moment leads the Maple Leafs in factors (29) and assists (21), regardless of getting off to a sluggish begin within the scoring division.
The Devils have been one of many greatest surprises all through the primary half of the 2022-23 season. For a crew with an NHL-best 38 factors, younger heart Jack Hughes’ star is shining brighter than ever.
Hughes is coming off per week through which he registered 5 targets throughout three video games. Within that stellar stretch. Hughes recorded his first profession hat trick in a 5-1 win in opposition to the Washington Capitals on Saturday. It marked the seventh multi-goal recreation of Hughes’ skilled profession and second within the month of November.
It was a masterclass of offensive acumen by Hughes all through Saturday’s contest. After Devils captain Nico Hischier opened up the sport with a power-play tally within the opening interval, Hughes scored a pair of targets within the second interval to offer New Jersey a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Devils star concluded his historic night time halfway by the third interval. Capitals defenseman Erik Gustafsson had a shot blocked on the blue line by Devils ahead Erik Haula, who raced down the ice to safe the puck. With a two-on-one state of affairs creating, Haula put the puck proper on Hughes’ stick and Hughes snapped a shot previous Lindgren to clinch the hat trick.
Hughes adopted up his hat trick efficiency with a aim in a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers. He put a bow on a month of November through which he tallied 9 targets and 9 assists and performed a number of the finest hockey of his profession.
From one outstanding level streak to a different, Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov has been on fairly a powerful stretch. Kaprizov has recorded at the least one level in 9 consecutive video games, together with 4 multi-point video games in that span. Over his previous three video games, the Wild star has racked up a grand complete of three targets and 4 assists.
Most lately, Kaprizov registered a three-point night time (one aim & two assists) in a 4-3 in opposition to the Arizona Coyotes on Nov. 27.
Entering Thursday, Kaprizov is tied with seventh with 13 targets, however he is actually finished an excessive amount of his injury on the power-play. He is at the moment tied for third within the NHL with seven power-play targets whereas additionally registering six assists on the man-advantage.
Kaprizov may be getting into his third NHL season, however he is already established himself as one of many league’s most gifted playmakers.
Ilya Sorokin has established himself as one of many prime goaltenders. The Islanders netminder is coming off per week through which he earned the NHL’s “Third Star of the Week” honor after racking up a 3-0-0 report to associate with a 1.32 goals-against-average, a .963 save share and a shutout in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 23.
In his 3-0 shutout in opposition to the Oilers, Sorokin recorded a career-high 49 saves, which is the third-most in Islanders historical past behind solely Glenn Healy (51 on Jan. 16, 1990 in opposition to the Canucks) and Jaroslav Halak (50 on Feb. 15, 2018 in opposition to the Rangers).
In addition, Sorokin continued his stellar participant by turning apart 30-of-32 saves in a 3-1 in opposition to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Entering Thursday, Sorokin ranks second in save share (.933) and third in goals-against-average (2.18).
Sorokin has developed into one of many league’s premier goaltenders as he embarks on his third skilled season. As he performs at an elite stage out of the gate, Sorokin has definitely positioned himself within the Vezina Trophy dialog for the NHL’s prime goaltender.
