The National Hockey League (NHL) never ceases to amaze fans with its thrilling action and the remarkable talent of its players. Recent data from the last season only serves to highlight the incredible performances delivered by some of the league's brightest stars.
Unstoppable Scorers
Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov reached an elite milestone last season, each notching 100 assists. McDavid's playmaking prowess was not confined to the regular season; his 37 goals and 80 assists in 74 career playoff games showcase his consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Furthermore, the Edmonton Oilers benefited greatly from his presence, generating 3.95 expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) while McDavid was on the ice at five-on-five. Over the past three seasons, McDavid leads the league in assists (268), points (408), and power play points (159), cementing his reputation as an offensive juggernaut.
Nikita Kucherov also had a stellar season, finishing with 44 goals and 144 points. His contribution to five-on-five play was significant, ranking third in the NHL with 67 points in such scenarios. This demonstrates Kucherov's indispensable role in the Tampa Bay Lightning's offensive scheme.
Goal Scoring Machine
Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs was another standout, racking up an astounding 69 goals last season. Over his eight-year career, Matthews has amassed a total of 368 goals. Such consistent high-scoring output keeps him a perennial threat and a key player to watch.
Exceptional Playmakers
Defensemen also played pivotal roles in their teams' successes. Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks recorded 17 goals and 75 assists last season. Hughes' impact on the ice was undeniable, as evidenced by the Canucks' plus-37 goal differential with him on the ice at five-on-five.
Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche set new career highs with 69 assists and 90 points. Makar's presence helped the Avalanche control 52.7 percent of the expected goals while he was on the rink, showcasing his significance in both offensive and defensive plays.
Award-Winning Performances
Nathan MacKinnon had a career-defining season, accumulating 140 points and securing his first Hart Trophy. MacKinnon's dominance was particularly evident in five-on-five situations, where he led the league with 79 points. These achievements underscore MacKinnon's all-around gameplay and his importance to the Colorado Avalanche.
Power Play Expertise
Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers continued to demonstrate his lethal scoring ability, with 272 goals and 371 assists over the past six years. Notably, Draisaitl has scored 77 power play goals since the 2021-22 campaign, highlighting his effectiveness in man-advantage situations.
Defensive Shields
Aleksander Barkov of the Florida Panthers and Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild stood out with their two-way play. Barkov contributed 23 goals and 57 assists last season, while the Panthers maintained a low expected goals against per 60 minutes (1.98 xGA/60) with him on the ice at five-on-five.
Kaprizov, on the other hand, tied for fifth in goals with 133 over the past three seasons and ranked 12th in points with 279. The Minnesota Wild allowed just 2.23 xGA/60 with Kaprizov on the ice at five-on-five, illustrating his defensive reliability in addition to his offensive contributions.
Center Stage
New faces are taking on key roles, such as Elias Lindholm stepping in as the number one center for the Boston Bruins. David Pastrnak, another Bruins star, tallied 47 goals and 63 assists last season. The Bruins' scoring rate was significantly higher with Pastrnak on the ice at five-on-five, posting 3.59 goals-for per 60 minutes (GF/60) compared to just 2.25 GF/60 without him.
These statistics and records exemplify the dynamic and competitive nature of the NHL. As these elite players continue to push the boundaries of excellence, fans can expect more thrilling seasons filled with outstanding performances and unforgettable moments.