League of their own
Colorado Avalanche - The Colorado Avalanche are simply in a league of their own right now. They have a 7-point lead on the next closest teams (Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars) with 37 points through 22 games. They have just one regulation loss at 16-1-5 this year.
A new low
Nashville Predators - A new team is at the bottom of the league standings this week as the Nashville Predators have sunk behind the Calgary Flames with just 16 points through 21 games.
Exciting youngsters
Jesper Wallstedt - A little bit of a different youngster this week, Jesper Wallstedt is not a household name. He is a 23-year-old Swedish goalie playing for the Minnesota Wild. This is his third year in the league, but he had only played 5 career games before this year. He has played 8 games this year so far, posting a league-high 3 shutouts. He leads the league in save percentage (.935) and goals against average (1.94). He still backs up Filip Gustavsson, but the future is bright for the young goalie.
Player of the week
Nathan MacKinnon - You can read the team of the week section to hear more about just how spectacular the Colorado Avalanche are, and how incredible of a start it has been for Nathan MacKinnon. To lead the league in points, plus/minus, goals, and be second in assists is a rare feat. The 30-year-old from Halifax is looking to blow his 140-point season from 2023 out of the water. If you asked MacKinnon, he would probably tell you that his focus is on winning his second Stanley Cup and the Olympic Gold for Canada in Milan this Winter.
Team of the week
Colorado Avalanche - Not only are the Colorado Avalanche comfortable at the top of the standings, but their players are dominating all races. Nathan MacKinnon is first in points (37), tied for first in goals with Morgan Geekie (17), tied for second in assists with his teammate Cale Makar (20), and first in plus/minus (23). Speaking of plus/minus, the top 5 players in the league in plus/minus all play for the Colorado Avalanche (Nathan MacKinnon (23), Cale Makar (22), Artturi Lehkonen (19), Martin Necas (19), Devon Toews (16). The next closest player is at 14.
History in the making
Not only are Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin two of the best hockey players of all time, but their longevity is maybe what is most impressive.
Sidney Crosby - On Saturday, Sidney Crosby became the 6th player in NHL history to reach 500 career multi-point games with a goal and an assist to longtime teammate Evgeni Malkin in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Kraken.
Alexander Ovechkin - On Thursday night, Alexander Ovechkin passed Joe Sakic to be tenth all-time in NHL points with his 1643rd point when he had a hat trick and an assist in an 8-4 win for the Washington Capitals in Montreal.