Martin Necas leads Carolina on seven-game win streak; Lightning slip in Power Rankings

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Nikolaj Ehlers has often been maltreated throughout his career; this season is proof of that. While not seeing an increase in playing time, Ehlers has put up impressive totals with 8 goals and 9 assists from 13 games; using every opportunity given him by taking more shots is crucial to the Jets’ impressive start and reaching Ehlers’ full potential.
“13-3-3 (4-0-2 in NHL Playoffs).”
Filip Chytil has made up for lost time through injuries by being one of New York Rangers most valuable third-line centers this season, notching eight points in 11 games while outscoring opponents 10-1 at five-on-five ice time with him playing at five on five play at five on five, an incredible achievement considering few teams have such prolific results from third line centers as Chytil has done against New Jersey at five on five play at five on five (although one can look back to last season when Hurricanes third-line centers also excelled with such results from last season if necessary). Chytil had eight points against Carolina Hurricanes as he scored eight in just 11 games before falling off (while scoring 10 to one).
Carolina is on an impressive six-game winning streak thanks to their stellar defensive play. Since Frederik Andersen went out with injury for much of this time period, Pyotr Kochetkov has done admirable duty filling in and Carolina’s shot and chance suppression is phenomenal despite significant roster turnover during this offseason. That feat stands out even more given all their blue line changes during that span (5-0-4 in Wild Games play so far).
Brock Faber doesn’t appear to be suffering any sort of sophomore slump this season. Last season’s Calder Trophy runner-up is making a strong case for winning this year’s Norris Trophy and currently boasts an outstanding plus-9 goal differential and 56.0% expected goals share at five on five. In fact, Faber currently leads all Panthers players with 8-2 records this year in expected goals share per minute played.
Sam Reinhart has been absolutely outstanding this season. Already having scored 10 goals in 13 games and on pace to exceed his 57 goal total from last season. I would usually be cautious of signing an eight-year deal worth $69 million with someone 28 years old at this stage in their career; yet Reinhart appears wildly underpaid now. With 9-3-1 wins under their belt so far in 6 Golden Knights games played so far (after 15), Reinhart looks more dangerous than ever this season.
The Golden Knights may have goaltending issues this season. Adin Hill, assumed as their starter prior to this campaign began having difficulty, with an.874 save percentage and 4.24 goals allowed above average in his early games with this team. Ilya Samsonov has shown better numbers but both remain unclear roles for them right now in regards to scoring or playmaking duties for them as early as now. These problems continue in their games against Capitals (1-8-3-1 so far this season).
Alex Ovechkin experienced an early season slump, yet this has not been an issue in the first 11 games this year. Ovechkin already has seven goals on the year – that puts him on pace to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record by the end of regular season play. [Imported from Canada]. He currently ranks fourth on Stars all time goalscoring charts at 53 goals in regular season action with 8-3-0 scorelines (excluding playoff games ).
Wyatt Johnston of the Stars needs to get going soon if they hope to avoid further decline this season and reach his 32 goal/65 point projection from last season, though. In six games played so far he only scored once while finishing with only one point (one goal and no assists in six). Unfortunately for Stars fans however Johnston is shooting only 4.0% which is 10.2 points lower than his career average; additionally Vancouver Canucks lead these Stars 7-4-0 (in points per game).
Jake DeBrusk appears to be struggling with his new team, the Vancouver Canucks. DeBrusk only scored his inaugural goal of the season on Saturday – ending an 18-game goal drought – as Vancouver hoped he’d help strengthen its forward group but his struggles remain worrisome for management. Elias Pettersson’s slow start remains more concerning for them but DeBrusk remains troubling nonetheless.-6.2-3 on Kings
At this point, it should go without saying: Sam Reinhart is absolutely on fire this season. With 10 goals through 13 games so far and on pace to surpass last season’s 57 goal total of 56 goals scored for 56 total, Reinhart looks like one heck of an underpaid talent right now. When considering signing an eight year, $69 Million contract deal I thought he might not warrant, however this current performance speaks for itself and Reinhart could become one of their stars at 28 years old with 8-3-3 on 8-3-3 results = 11 umplut 11 Sfint Devils 5-3-3 = 11.
Stefan Noesen has made quite an immediate impact since joining New Jersey, scoring six goals and providing seven assists already this season and tracking well to surpass both career highs set last season in both categories. While I can’t expect him to maintain 27.3% shooting percentage throughout 82 games (he shot 26.4% last season for Toronto!), New Jersey certainly have found themselves an effective depth forward that they should leverage this season if Noesen continues this pace. Against Toronto: Noesen posted 8-5-2 performances while playing 12 game against them all before that against Maple Leafs players before being traded away to them by Toronto after one season away: Noesen quickly made his NHL return with eight goals against eight and seven assists so far against them this season before this recent surge.
William Nylander and Craig Berube have exchanged words over William’s playing time this season, with Nylander seemingly leaning more toward Nylander in this debate. Not only has he led Toronto in goals but has produced stellar five-on-five results as well – surely an ideal candidate to get on as often as possible? (Okay, not literally yet…) *7-5-14 to 13-2 Lightning
Brayden Point may not make headlines quite as often when discussing NHL superstars, yet he remains at the heart of Tampa. Point has had an outstanding start this season scoring eight goals and five assists while posting an outstanding goal differential score (plus-10 in 13 games played so far this year compared to his poor statistical year last season where his five-on-five goal differential stood at minus-5). That marks an improvement from last season where his five-on-five goal differential stood at minus 5. Consequently, Tampa fans can look forward to great things this season from him as Point will undoubtedly take on Oilers teams across divisions & divisional matches, including points to fill an Oilers gaping hole when all others will come under his leadership!
Leon Draisaitl seems to have adopted some of Connor McDavid’s skills since being sidelined by an ankle injury, becoming something like Voltron in terms of hockey skill. Draisaitl scored three goals and three assists during their initial two games without McDavid on their roster: this shows why two mutant players should exist: when one goes down, another can carry them all. 6-6-1 15 Avalanche
Colorado was hit hard early by injuries, yet Nathan MacKinnon has done everything possible to keep them afloat. With 25 points in 13 games – at least one point scored each contest this year! – MacKinnon remains Colorado’s go-to player; even so, their lack of depth is becoming clear as injuries mount up; opponents take full advantage when big names are out and opponent teams find ways to score with less talent on hand.
7-7-0 on 16 Senators
The Senators have seen improved goaltending from Anton Forsberg rather than Linus Ullmark of late. With an excellent save percentage and goals saved above average figure he now sports, Forsberg should receive more playing time soon enough; his recent start against Flames allowed three goals on nine shots with only 1.73 goals saved above average to his credit. Should Forsberg become their starting goalie? 1-76-0 [17-6-0 17-18-15-25-18-38-6-1
Calgary Flames’ offensive firepower has severely subsided since their scorching start; goals are no longer plentiful over recent weeks and Jon Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri combined for three points over their past six games; with only 2.0 goals scored per game averaged during that span; they simply lack sufficient firepower to compete with most Western Conference opponents. Our 7-5-1/18 Hockey Club
Nick Schmaltz has yet to score this season, which has proven difficult for Utah. Schmaltz had more than doubled his goal total over each of the past three campaigns but is struggling this time around. While not known for being an expansive shooter, maybe more pucks need to hit net so Schmaltz can finally connect on one and break free?
4-5-3 [19 Red Wings
Vladimir Tarasenko has struggled in Detroit this season. With only three points and no goals since five games played, his five-on-five impacts have been paltry; only 41.5% of expected goals with him on the ice is considered ideal for middle-six forwards (based on 20 Bruins games played so far this season).
The Bruins’ last four and five games — two wins and three shutout losses — have all featured one or more form of shutout play, going 2-2 overall in that stretch. I don’t know what that says about their team besides it being less-than-intriguing to watch hockey now that Jim Montgomery is already calling out David Pastrnak publicly. And yet another team might just as quickly bury them – like Blues did against Bruins two nights prior.
Jordan Kyrou needs help on offense, and Brayden Schenn may provide it. But is he still at his peak performance level? Schenn took a significant step backward in 2023-24; currently only managing one goal and four points through 12 games this season, with three years still left at $6.5 million per year contract on offer with Penguins
Underhanded tactics akin to giving away an early two-goal third period lead to the offensively challenged Islanders is “nasty work”, as children might say. That was what the Penguins did on Tuesday in yet another ugly loss for themselves in early going. Kris Letang in particular is suffering greatly while failing to produce on offense at five-on-five play and five-on-five hockey alike. And for what its worth: they still trail by 5 as of right now with 23 Predators wins against 21 Panthers wins
Last season, Nashville Predators led all NHL teams in expected goals generated at five-on-five; now after roster upgrades during free agency this offseason they sit 23rd despite expected goals generated at five-on-five expected at five on five. It would make sense for such an overhauled lineup to take time integrating, however this early into their second-half campaign has produced little offense thus far (4-0-7-1 overall record and 24 outings so far this season). The Kraken is poised for big things this season: 24 games remaining and only 4-7-1 which leaves plenty of opportunity.
The Seattle Kraken have suffered four straight losses and Jordan Eberle hasn’t scored for six straight games; Matty Beniers also experienced this goalless drought; Chandler Stephenson experienced eight. It seems all Seattle relies upon to generate offense have become inactive over recent weeks – something is wrong somewhere with Seattle! 8-7-1 against Islanders
Mat Barzal was placed on long-term injured reserve on Monday and must now help one of the worst offensive teams in the NHL — one with one of its leading scorers out for about four weeks – get wins without him for at least another month. But Tuesday’s multi-goal comeback against Pittsburgh could provide them with some scoring inspiration as their scoring came back after going two goals behind. That could provide something special against this group that currently ranks 26th out of 30 NHL clubs (behind only Blue Jackets with 26 wins)
Cole Sillinger remains one of Columbus’ key long-term players, yet his debut has not gone according to plan. While he has eight points through 11 games – two goals among them – his five-on-five numbers are alarming – Columbus only controlling 37.3% of anticipated goals with him on the ice for that situation alone (compared with 49.4% with Sabres).
Devon Levi was thrust into the limelight too quickly at the beginning of last season and some hoped the offseason would help reset and strengthen him as an goaltender. Unfortunately, that has not proven true: so far in four starts and 2.51 goals above average allowed have seen Levi post an.878 save percentage with four victories out of seven possible starts on 28 Blackhawks games played so far (Four wins out of 7.7) for Blackhawks wins (5-7-1).
Ryan Donato has been an unexpected pleasure for Chicago this season. In just 11 games he scored seven goals — nearly half his career total of 16. Donato shot over 30% during that stretch; although positives can sometimes be hard to come by on this team outside No. 98’s performance alone; it is encouraging to see another journeyman find success like Donato has. Consequently he scored at 38% efficiency when skating for Florida Ducks earlier in 2018. 5-7-1 (29 points in 29 appearances).
Trevor Zegras had high hopes for this season, yet has struggled to find any consistency so far. Zegras only has one goal and two assists to date and hasn’t scored since opening night; an 11-game goal drought and negative seven goal differential at five on five has resulted in him not completing it out at Anaheim. We must wait and see whether Trevor Zegras makes his mark with Anaheim this time around or moves onto other destinations such as Montreal (4-5-6-30 Canadiens) where his talent might flourish more;
Canadiens: An Unsafe Betdefensively The Canadiens have one of the weakest defenses in the NHL. Montreal allows 3.66 goals-per-60 when five-on-five and Martin St. Louis seems like an effective leader who could instil more defense into this young team of offensive talent, yet has failed to get them playing tight defensively at five on five. Hopefully Flyers’ Coach Travis Green can find some way of keeping Montreal under wraps this season
Philadelphia Flyers defense was one of the main elements that propelled their remarkable 2023-24 season, ranking first among NBA clubs at limiting expected goals against. But that has changed this season; Philadelphia currently sits 26th overall in terms of expected goals against (xGA/60 at five-on-five), something which simply cannot make up for Philadelphia’s lack of scoring power or goaltending depth on its roster. At four wins out of a possible eight games played so far against 32 opposing Sharks teams this season they trail only 28 teams combined in terms of expected goals against (xGA/60 at five on five)
Will Smith is another highly touted rookie with San Jose who scored his inaugural NHL goals last week. Together with Macklin Celebrini they could form one of the greatest one-two punches down the middle in all of hockey, giving fans real cause for optimism about San Jose’s future prospects. 5-8-2