Colorado Avalanche

Key Storylines in the NHL Scoring Race: One-Fifth Through

After about 1/5 of the NHL regular season, what storylines emerge from an analysis of the NHL points-scoring race?

by
Old Prof
November 16, 2024

The NHL scoring race is shaping up to be a captivating battle, with players excelling in diverse roles and situations. Here’s a breakdown of the major storylines shaping this thrilling race.

MacKinnon’s Mastery of the Offensive Spotlight

Nathan MacKinnon leads the charge with 33 points in 18 games, driven by elite playmaking and heavy involvement in Colorado’s offense. His impressive power-play numbers (10 assists) and significant ice time (23:22 per game) underline his importance to the Avalanche. While his shooting percentage (10.4%) leaves room for additional goals, his consistency makes him a favorite for the scoring title. Teammate Mikko Rantanen adds to the Avalanche’s dominance with 25 points, leading the league in goals (12) with a stellar shooting efficiency of 21.8%.

Kaprizov’s MVP-Caliber Season

Kirill Kaprizov is proving himself a two-way force with 30 points in 16 games and a league-leading +/- rating of +16. His efficient 20% shooting percentage underscores his ability to capitalize on chances, while his consistent production makes him a potential MVP candidate. If the Wild maintains momentum, Kaprizov could climb even higher in the race.

Eichel’s Resurgence in Vegas

Jack Eichel has re-established himself as one of the NHL’s premier playmakers. His 22 assists and 27 points make him a key contributor for the Golden Knights, though his lack of power-play goals is a potential area for growth. If Eichel can translate his playmaking into additional goals, his position in the standings could improve significantly.

Makar’s Unique Push as a Defenseman

Cale Makar brings a fascinating dimension to the scoring race. With 25 points in 18 games, he demonstrates the offensive capabilities of a top-tier defenseman. His power-play quarterbacking (10 assists) and clutch scoring (one game-winning goal and one overtime goal) highlight his importance to Colorado’s success, even as his -6 rating suggests some defensive vulnerabilities.

Reinhart and Necas: Efficiency Experts

Sam Reinhart and Martin Necas have emerged as efficient scoring threats. Reinhart leads the league in shooting efficiency (29.5%) and has 13 goals, including three short-handed tallies, showing his versatility. Necas, with 25 points in just 15 games, combines an incredible 25% shooting percentage with limited ice time (17:55 per game), making his output even more impressive. Both players could climb further in the standings if given increased opportunities.

Emerging Themes in the Scoring Race

Several key factors define the scoring race. Power-play performance is critical for players like MacKinnon and Makar, while others, such as Reinhart, thrive in short-handed situations. Efficiency stands out as a central theme, with Reinhart and Necas making the most of their opportunities compared to volume shooters like MacKinnon and Rantanen.

Additionally, a defenseman like Makar adds intrigue, while Kaprizov’s stellar two-way play cements his place as a leading candidate for individual accolades.

Looking Ahead: What to Watch For

The interplay between MacKinnon and Rantanen as the season progresses could determine which Avalanche star takes the crown. Kaprizov’s campaign could gain further steam if the Wild maintain their form, while Eichel’s resurgence is a compelling story. The mix of seasoned superstars and rising threats makes this year’s scoring race one of the most exciting in recent memory, promising plenty of surprises in the weeks ahead.

As interesting as who’s leading the NHL in scoring is who’s not in the race. Neither of the Edmonton Oilers stars is in the top five on the NHL scoring list. That’s a surprise because they usually hang around the top, and everyone else is chasing them.

Connor McDavid’s injury has a lot to do with it. It also impacts his partner, Leon Draisaitl. Will the two boilers megastars catch up? We’ll see and record the answer in the next round when we look at the points-scoring race.