The playoffs are just around the corner and it’s time to take a look at some of the players who stepped up their game down the stretch. The top three forwards and top three defensemen are ranked by most points thus far and goalies were ranked based on wins since the All-Star break.
Turning up the Heat: Taking a look at the NHL’s top performers since the All-Star breakThe playoffs are just around the corner and it’s time to take a look at some of the players who stepped up their game down the stretch. The top three forwards and top three defensemen are ranked by most points thus far and goalies were ranked based on wins since the All-Star break.
Forwards
1) Jamie Benn (Dallas Stars) 30 GP – 15 G – 17 A – 32 PTS
Benn has been one of the most consistent producers since the All-Star break earning more than a point-per-game despite the Stars falling behind in the playoff race. It hasn’t been a career season for the 25-year-old left winger, but his offensive production remains at a top-tier level.
2) Jordan Eberle (Edmonton Oilers) 28 GP – 10 G – 21 A – 31 PTS
The 24-year-old Eberle stepped up his game as the Edmonton Oilers continued to linger at the bottom of the standings for the past two months. Eberle’s play as of late should be enough quiet offseason trade rumors.
3) Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) 28 GP – 20 G – 10 A – 30 PTS
Nobody has scored more than Ovechkin’s 20 goals since the All-Star break and it’s no surprise considering his past. The Russian sniper is on pace to hit 50 goals for the sixth time in his career, which is a big reason his team currently holds on to a wild card position in the East.
Honorable mentions:
John Tavares (New York Islanders) 30 GP – 13 G – 16 A – 29 PTS
Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks) 30 GP – 8 G – 20 A – 28 PTS
Daniel Sedin (Vancouver Canucks) 30 GP – 7 G – 21 A – 28 PTS
Defensemen
1) Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators) 28 GP – 8 G – 19 A – 27 PTS
Karlsson is already touted as one of the best young defensemen in the game, but his point-per-game pace since the All-Star break has helped the Senators make the Eastern Conference wild card race more interesting.
2) Roman Josi (Nashville Predators) 31 GP – 7 G – 18 A – 25 PTS
Josi has quietly started to create some buzz as a dark horse Norris candidate for his strong play for the Preds this season. Josi’s offensive output has been much welcomed on a traditionally defensive-minded Nashville club.
3) Kris Letang (Pittsburgh Penguins) 29 GP – 2 G – 20 A – 22 PTS
Before going down with an injury over the weekend, Letang was back to being one of the top offensive blueliners in the NHL. The Penguins will have a big hole to fix if he misses a considerable amount of time.
Honorable mentions:
P.K. Subban (Montreal Canadiens) 31 GP – 2 G – 20 A – 22 PTS
Tyson Barrie (Colorado Avalanche) 25 GP – 8 G – 13 A – 21 PTS
Goalies
1) Devan Dubnyk (Minnesota Wild) 30 GP – 24 Wins
Dubnyk has been one of the most talked about goalies in the NHL since joining the Wild in a trade from Arizona. His play between the pipes rejuvenated a team that is now holding on to a wild card spot in the always tough Western Conference.
2) Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) 25 GP – 17 Wins
Price’s MVP caliber season has the Habs perched in first place in the Eastern Conference. His 17 wins – seven of which are shutouts – are followed up by a sparking 1.50 goals against average and .949 save percentage since the All-Star break.
3) Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles Kings) 27 GP – 17 Wins
Quick hasn’t had a stellar season, but he has been steady enough in goal to help the Kings hold on to a playoff spot in the West.
Honorable mentions:
Cam Talbot (New York Rangers) 23 GP – 16 Wins
Kari Lehtonen (Dallas Stars) 24 GP – 15 Wins
Andrew Hammond (Ottawa Senators) 17 GP – 14 Wins
