In this season's first edition of the player power rankings, theScore hockey editors Josh Gold-Smith, Flip Livingstone, and Ian McLaren evaluate some of the NHL's biggest names based on their star power and how they've performed so far.
10. Sergei Bobrovsky
| GP | SV% | GAA | W | SO | SA | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | .938 | 1.86 | 6 | 1 | 243 | 228 |
Other goaltenders like Jonathan Quick, Pekka Rinne, and Andrei Vasilevskiy have been stellar so far, but the Columbus Blue Jackets netminder is the only perennial Vezina Trophy candidate playing at an elite level in the early going.
While Carey Price and Braden Holtby haven't been their typically dominant selves, Bobrovsky is once again proving to be a model of consistency.
- Gold-Smith
9. Jamie Benn
| GP | G | A | P | P/GP | 5-on-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 1.18 | 54.72 |
Benn was held off the scoresheet in the Dallas Stars' win over the Calgary Flames on Friday night, but it was the first time since Oct. 17 and only the fourth time all season that he failed to collect a point.
The 2015 Art Ross Trophy winner piled up five goals and nine points in the four games prior to that contest, and while his shooting percentage (18.4) is bound to regress, there's no reason to believe he won't continue to be one of the toughest assignments for opposing defenders. - Gold-Smith
8. John Tavares
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
| GP | G | A | P | P/GP | 5-on-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 1.18 | 52.7 |
The New York Islanders captain hasn't looked at all distracted by his contract situation this fall, and he's been on an absolute tear over the last week or so.
Tavares potted a natural hat trick Saturday - his second three-goal game in the last three contests - and he has seven goals and 10 points in his last four games. - Gold-Smith
7. Erik Karlsson
| GP | G | A | P | P/GP | 5-on-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 1.5 | 50.47 |
The all-world defenseman hasn't shown much rust after missing the first five games of the season, and he's shown no hesitation in taking on his typical heavy workload despite coming off foot surgery.
Karlsson is averaging over 25 minutes in ice time, and he's posted more than a point in half of the games he's played early on. - Gold-Smith
6. Sidney Crosby
| GP | G | A | P | P/GP | 5-on-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 0.92 | 50.0 |
He may be struggling to fill the scoresheet right now, but the Penguins are still a dangerous group with Sid at the helm, and he doesn’t need to be lighting the lamp on the regular to earn a spot among the NHL's most dominant players.
Also, don't forget, No. 87 has 11 points and is just getting warmed up. Until we see a significant decline in his ability, Crosby's earned the right to be firmly entrenched on this list, as few players in the NHL today can play at both ends of the rink like he can. - Livingstone
5. Auston Matthews
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
| GP | G | A | P | P/GP | 5-on-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 1.36 | 54.46 |
While the Maple Leafs continue to fall back to earth, Matthews' torrid scoring pace has seemingly no end in sight, with seven points in his last five games.
Few thought Matthews would be able to replicate last season's 40-goal output, but, with eight already under his belt through only 11 games, the 40-goal mark becomes increasingly attainable with each passing game. - Livingstone
4. Connor McDavid
| GP | G | A | P | P/GP | 5-on-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 1.1 | 59.9 |
The Oilers might be struggling to bury the biscuit, but McDavid can't do it all by himself. Edmonton's captain has five goals and six assists across 10 games this season while also logging a beastly 22:37 of ice time per game.
McDavid has already shown flashes of his MVP-level play this season, and if his supporting cast can figure it out offensively, McJesus should take his rightful place in the top three very soon. - Livingstone
3. Alex Ovechkin
| GP | G | A | P | P/GP | 5-on-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 1.25 | 48.3 |
A blistering start has given way to a bit of a dry spell in the goal-scoring department, but while Ovechkin has tallied only once in his past seven games, his overall point total has been boosted by some helpers.
Overall, he sits second in goals, tied for fourth in total points, and is on pace for one of his most productive seasons in years. - McLaren
2. Steven Stamkos
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
| GP | G | A | P | P/GP | 5-on-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 4 | 17 | 21 | 1.75 | 54.47 |
Stamkos' comeback has been one of the best stories through the first month of the season.
The Tampa Bay Lightning captain was on a tear when he was sidelined almost a year ago with a devastating knee injury, and he's been even better this time around, leading the NHL in total points.
Known more for his goal scoring over the years, he's been setting the table with regularity for his red-hot linemate, the only player to eclipse him on this list. - McLaren
1. Nikita Kucherov
| GP | G | A | P | P/GP | 5-on-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 1.58 | 50.52 |
It's time to acknowledge Kucherov's greatness.
The Russian winger is averaging a goal per game, and Ovechkin is the only other player in double digits this season. He's also contributing more than enough helpers, and his even possession numbers are boosted by his efficiency in the offensive zone.
Dating back to Jan. 1, no player has more goals (39) or total points (69). At the moment, he's the best in the game. - McLaren
(Analytics courtesy: Corsica.Hockey)
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