NHL Energy Rankings: Dallas Stars shine amidst good begin, Edmonton Oilers stumble out of the gate

Stars
Logan Stankoven has picked up proper the place he left off final season. The Stars rookie has 5 assists in his workforce’s first 4 video games, and he’s already blossoming right into a key playmaker for this lineup. After posting 14 factors in his 24-game audition final season, Stankoven is including to the embarrassment of riches up entrance in Dallas. — 4-0-0
2

Rangers
Igor Shesterkin reportedly turned down an $11 million per yr contract supply from the Rangers, and it seems to be like that may’ve been the proper name. Shesterkin posted a shutout within the workforce’s season-opener towards the Penguins, and he is posted a .921 save proportion via three begins. That is made much more spectacular by the truth that solely Sam Montembeault has confronted extra anticipated targets towards. — 2-0-1
3

Devils
Simply as everybody suspected, Paul Cotter has been probably the most impactful offseason addition for the Devils. The previous Golden Knights depth ahead leads New Jersey with 4 targets, and the workforce is controlling 58.7% of the high-danger scoring probabilities with him on the ice. It is nonetheless very early, however Cotter seems to be like a superb match for the Devils’ ahead group. — 4-2-0
4

Panthers
The Panthers averted potential disaster when it was introduced that Aleksander Barkov’s damage would hold him out for weeks as a substitute of months. Nonetheless, Florida must climate the storm with out its captain, however the workforce proved final season that it was absolutely able to overcoming early damage points. The silver lining is that Anton Lundell has the prospect to make a good larger affect for the Panthers. — 3-2-0
5

Golden Knights
To ensure that the Golden Knights to rebound after an early playoff exit final season, they want their stars to provide at a excessive stage as a result of they’ve some holes down the lineup. Thus far, these stars are shining. Jack Eichel and Mark Stone have mixed for 4 targets and 12 assists within the first three video games, and Alex Pietrangelo is off to a robust begin on the again finish. — 3-1-0
6

Maple Leafs
In his first season because the Maple Leafs’ captain, Auston Matthews has but to report a single level via three video games. Is it time to provide the “C” again to John Tavares? Hold with me right here, however I believe Matthews is affected by some poor taking pictures luck. His 15 photographs on purpose are first on the workforce, so it is solely a matter of time earlier than the flood gates open for the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner. — 2-1-0
7

Jets
In case you have been questioning, Connor Hellebuyck continues to be excellent at protecting the puck out of the web. He is already posted 6.54 targets saved above common, which is first within the NHL by nearly two full targets. Hellebuyck has additionally stopped 100% of the 18 high-danger photographs he is confronted. He is perhaps on a revenge tour after a disastrous first-round sequence towards Vegas final spring. — 3-0-0
8

Oilers
It is deja vu over again for the Oilers. They presently rank fourth in five-on-five anticipated targets share, and solely 5 groups have extra scoring probabilities in all conditions. Regardless of that, Edmonton is 0-3-0 as a result of Stuart Skinner has been a multitude in purpose, and the workforce’s 3.2% taking pictures proportion ranks useless final. I doubt this continues, however the Oilers have to get issues rotated earlier than mid-November this time round. — 1-3-0
9

Hockey Club
Within the offseason, Utah guess on Dylan Guenther with an eight-year, $7.14 million contract. That appears like an extremely sensible gamble proper now. Simply days after scoring the primary purpose in Utah Hockey Membership historical past, Guenther scored the time beyond regulation winner in New York to beat the Rangers. He now has 5 targets in 4 video games, and that leads the NHL. — 3-1-0
10

Hurricanes
The query for the Hurricanes this season — as has been the case for a number of years now — is whether or not they can discover slightly extra pop within the goal-scoring division. It might come internally from the likes of Andrei Svechnikov or the newly-paid Seth Jarvis. Perhaps Carolina finally swings one other blockbuster just like the one it pulled off for Jake Guentzel final season. Both manner, it seems like this workforce wants extra ending expertise to complete the job within the postseason. — 1-1-0
11

Canucks
The Canucks ran sizzling to begin the 2023-24 season, outperforming some moderately poor underlying metrics at five-on-five. The alternative is true roughly per week into this season. Vancouver has managed almost 54.0% of the anticipated targets at full energy, and but the workforce has been outscored 7-4 in these conditions. The outcomes ought to finally flip within the Canucks’ favor, however the goaltending wants to carry up in Thatcher Demko’s absence. — 0-1-2
12

Bruins
Boston spent severe cash making an attempt to bolster its roster in anticipation of one other battle with Florida this season. Via the primary 4 video games, the Bruins have misplaced to the Panthers twice in regulation. No less than Elias Lindholm appears to be settling into his new digs. The previous Canuck has two targets and three assists up to now, and provides Boston a way more formidable possibility on the No. 1 middle spot. — 2-2-0
13

Lightning
After placing up 144 factors final season, Nikita Kucherov is on observe to surpass that quantity in 2023-24. Within the Lightning’s season-opener, Kucherov had a hat trick and an help, contributing to every of the workforce’s 4 targets. Tampa suffered some key losses within the offseason, however so long as Kucherov stays elite, the Bolts shall be a harmful workforce to play towards. — 2-0-0
14

Predators
The Predators spent a dump truck full of cash to improve their ending expertise this summer time, and so they have a 4.62% taking pictures proportion at five-on-five via three video games. Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault have mixed for 23 photographs on purpose with none of them getting in, and that most likely will not proceed for for much longer. I might anticipate an offensive breakout for Nashville within the coming weeks. — 0-3-0
15

Avalanche
Coming into the season, goaltending was one of many largest questions for the Avalanche, and there are already severe purple flags at that place. Alexandar Georgiev has began all three video games, and he is allowed 6.62 targets above common, which is way and away the worst quantity within the league. In his two temporary aid appearances, backup Justus Annunen has allowed 2.25 targets above common. — 0-3-0
16

Islanders
Goaltender Ilya Sorokin underwent again surgical procedure this offseason, so it was robust to know what to anticipate from him in his first begin of the season. All Sorokin did was stonewall the Avalanche, making 32 saves on 34 photographs once more in a successful effort. It was good to see that Sorokin wasn’t feeling any ailing results from the surgical procedure, and he as soon as once more regarded like an elite netminder. — 1-1-1
17

Senators
The significance of protecting Linus Ullmark wholesome was underscored within the Senators’ 8-7 win over the Kings on Monday afternoon. Anton Forsberg and Mads Soogard mixed to permit 4.33 targets above common whereas posting a .731 save proportion. I can see why they determined to pony up and provides Ullmark a comparatively hefty contract extension. — 2-1-0
18

Wild
After his goalie purpose on Tuesday night time, Filip Gustavsson now has extra targets this season than Auston Matthews, Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and Brad Marchand. The Wild would possibly need to take into consideration getting that man on the ability play unit. — 2-0-2
19

Penguins
The 38-year-old Evgeni Malkin simply retains producing within the late levels of his NHL profession. Malkin already has six assists, which is tied for the NHL lead, and he is strung collectively three straight multi-point video games. If the Penguins are going to get again to the playoffs, it should take performances like that from their growing older core. — 2-2-0
20

Kings
Anze Kopitar proved he is nonetheless obtained it with a hat trick within the Kings’ season-opener. Then he posted three assists in Monday afternoon’s 8-7 time beyond regulation loss to the Senators. The perennial Selke Trophy candidate is displaying that he nonetheless has loads of offensive pop left on the age of 37. — 1-0-2
21

Flames
The Flames have been probably the most shocking workforce to begin the 2024-25 season. I anticipated them to be one of many worst groups within the league, however as a substitute they’re tied with the Stars as the one 4-0-0 golf equipment within the NHL. No less than a few of this quick begin will be attributed to Jonathan Huberdeau, who has six factors already. He might by no means hit the heights of his 2021-22 season, however Huberdeau would possibly lastly be discovering his footing in Calgary. — 4-0-0
22

Capitals
The Capitals obtained their first win of the season on Tuesday night time, however extra importantly, Alex Ovechkin has but to gentle the lamp this season. If he’ll catch Wayne Gretzky this season, Ovechkin must fill the web early and infrequently. I do know Washington is making an attempt to problem for a playoff spot once more this season, however let’s begin feeding No. 8 slightly extra usually. — 1-1-0
23

Kraken
Ryker Evans, the No. 35 general decide within the 2021 NHL Draft, seems to be like he is perhaps a future star on the blue line. He has one purpose and two assists in 4 video games, and he has been dynamic for the Kraken. Seattle has managed a jaw-dropping 60.9% of the anticipated targets with Ryker on the ice at five-on-five. Not dangerous for a 22-year-old blueliner. — 2-2-0
24

Blues
St. Louis began the season with a pair of thrilling comebacks, however it hasn’t been capable of claw its manner again within the final couple of video games. The Blues’ high gamers are producing offense, however the remainder of the roster has but to get going, and I believe that is perhaps an issue all through the whole season. — 2-2-0
25

Red Wings
I predicted the Pink Wings to take a step again this season attributable to how wildly they outperformed their five-on-five metrics this season, and so they’ve proven no enchancment in that space via three video games this season. Detroit has managed a depressing 44.3% of the five-on-five anticipated targets, and it is going to be onerous to beat these forms of numbers for the second season in a row. — 1-2-0
26

Sabres
The Sabres have been a classy preseason decide to lastly get away and get again to the playoffs for the primary time in over a decade. Via 4 video games, it seems to be like the identical outdated story over again. Buffalo obtained hammered by the Devils within the World Collection and dropped its home-opener to the Kings a couple of nights later. There’s loads of time left, however it was a really acquainted begin in Buffalo. — 1-3-0
27

Flyers
Rookie sensation Matvei Michkov scored his first two profession targets towards the Oilers on Tuesday night time, and his Calder Trophy marketing campaign simply obtained a leap begin. The No. 7 general decide within the 2023 NHL Draft has loads of offensive talent, which is one thing this Philadelphia roster wanted badly. He’ll get loads of alternatives to make an affect, and he is made probably the most of them to this point. — 1-1-1
28

Canadiens
As a lot promise because the Canadiens have proven on offense, their protection has been a lot worse. They’re permitting scoring probabilities and anticipated targets at an alarming charge, and so they’re counting on goaltender Sam Montembeault to bail them out far too usually. Martin St. Louis has his work lower out for him relating to correcting his workforce’s defensive points. — 2-2-0
29

Blackhawks
Chicago made it a degree to get Connor Bedard extra assist in the offseason, and the addition of Teuvo Teravainen has helped in that regard. He and Bedard have mixed for 4 targets in six assists, and that duo has earned 60.3% of the anticipated targets at five-on-five. That duo is perhaps quite a lot of enjoyable to observe this season. — 1-2-1
30

Ducks
One thing value monitoring this season is whether or not Lukas Dostal is the long-term reply in purpose with John Gibson towards the top of his profession. Thus far, so good. In his first begin of the season, Dostal stopped all 30 photographs he confronted in a shutout win over the Sharks. — 1-1-0
31

Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets had a incredible and gut-wrenching tribute to Johnny Gaudreau on Tuesday night time, and I encourage everybody to go watch that. Columbus did not beat the Panthers within the ensuing recreation, however Sean Monahan scored his first as a Blue Jacket, and the workforce held its personal with the Stanley Cup champs. — 1-2-0
32

Sharks
It is a disgrace that Macklin Celebrini is already on IR, however the excellent news is that it took lower than a full interval for him to indicate that he belongs on the NHL stage. Celebrini recorded a purpose and an help in his debut, and his elite imaginative and prescient and playmaking have been on full show. — 0-1-2