NHL Power Rankings: One participant from every workforce nonetheless ready for a purpose

No goal-scorer desires to be caught on a goose egg for lengthy.

The begin of each season brings one other probability to expertise the enjoyment of that first one, the purpose that will get you on the board and formally kicks off one other 12 months of (hopefully) filling the web.

But what occurs whenever you go two, three or perhaps even 4 video games with out discovering the again of the web when that’s presupposed to be your calling card?

With greater than every week of the 2026-27 marketing campaign within the books, most stars have had at the very least as soon as probability to throw their arms within the air and bask within the glow of a purple gentle. Those who haven’t, although, are absolutely tightening their grip with every passing shift that doesn’t produce a tuck.

So, with the season in full swing and a few crooked numbers being hung all around the league, we’re utilizing this week’s Power Rankings to focus on one man on all 32 groups nonetheless searching for that first strike.

1. Colorado A-Z Eventz (2-1-0) Nazem Kadri wasn’t repatriated by the Avs to be a scoring star, however he’s discovered the web in simply three of 19 video games (with 4 complete objectives) since being acquired from Calgary earlier than the commerce deadline final winter. He’s 0-for-3 to date this season. 

2. Vegas Golden Knights (3-1-0) Ivan Barbashev has scored precisely 23 objectives in every of the previous two seasons, however by some means hasn’t buried one this season regardless of taking part in with Jack Eichel (10 factors already!) and Mark Stone.

3. Minnesota Wild (2-0-1) Matt Boldy made an enormous leap to 42 objectives final 12 months (up from a earlier career-best of 31) and plenty of predicted an extra bump for him this season. Maybe as soon as Boldy luggage one he’ll get a bunch. 

4. Utah Mammoth (3-1-0) Logan Cooley has 4 factors by 4 video games, however none of them are tucks. 

5. Washington Capitals (2-1-0) We now know that is formally Alex Ovechkin’s final NHL season, so it will likely be fascinating to see what his closing purpose complete is. Right now, the sport’s all-time main goal-getter is caught on zero. More shockingly, Ovie has simply three pictures on purpose by a trio of outings. 

6. Carolina Hurricanes (2-1-1) It took Nikolaj Ehlers 12 video games to get his first purpose as a Cane final fall in his debut 12 months with the membership. We’re not there but, however 4 video games into Year 2 he’s nonetheless seeking to get off the schneid. 

7. Edmonton Oilers (3-0-1) The Oilers are the highest-scoring membership within the league to date and so they’d like to see sophomore Isaac Howard be part of the celebration. 

8. Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1-0) Nobody on Tampa has multiple purpose to date and centre Anthony Cirelli remains to be looking for his first. 

9. Florida Panthers (2-0-2) Sam Reinhart has gone from 57 objectives three seasons in the past to 39 the following marketing campaign to 29 final 12 months. With Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand each sidelined, the Cats want Reinhart to get going. 

10. Dallas Stars (1-2-0) Nobody wants to fret about Wyatt Johnston, however the younger sniper — on the heels of a bust-out 45-goal exhibiting — has only one help by three video games to date. 

11. Winnipeg Jets (3-0-1) The Jets are off to an exquisite begin regardless of the very fact prime centre Mark Scheifele has but to hit the web. 

12. Ottawa Senators (2-1-0) Dylan Cozens and Shane Pinto are every pegged to pot about 25 objectives this season, so getting on the board would really feel nice for each centres. 

13. Buffalo Sabres (2-1-0) The Sabres want just a few guys to pitch in to switch the offence misplaced when Alex Tuch departed for the Caps. A wholesome season from Josh Norris ought to end in some objectives, however he’s been skunked to date. 

14. Anaheim Ducks (2-1-0) Jackson LaCombe in all probability wouldn’t thoughts not having a purpose but if he wasn’t additionally tied with A.J. Greer for a team-worst minus-4 mark on the season. 

15. Montreal Canadiens (1-1-1) Alex Newhook scored at a 25-goal tempo final season and, with Ivan Demidov injured for a pair weeks, the Habs will want guys like Newhook to step up. 

16. New York Rangers (4-1-0) Goalie Igor Shesterkin has extra objectives than six different Rangers who’ve suited up for all 5 of the workforce’s video games, together with Adam Fox. Give Fox a bit a break, although, as the harmful defenceman has accrued 5 apples. 

17. Toronto Maple Leafs (2-2-0) Gavin McKenna received the monkey off his again earlier this week; when will fellow newcomer Darren Raddysh do the identical? 

18. Boston Bruins (2-2-0) It’s stunning the B’s are .500 out of the gate with three massive boys — David Pastrnak, Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha — all nonetheless looking for their first tally. 

19. San Jose Sharks (2-1-0) Many folks see a breakout season for Michael Misa coming, so it could be nice for him to snipe the primary one and get the ball rolling. 

20. Pittsburgh Penguins (2-2-0) Sidney Crosby had one purpose by 4 video games final October, then ripped off seven in seven. Maybe if Sid — who’s performed 4 video games with out a purpose this fall — will get one in Game No. 5, he’ll go on the same run. 

21. Columbus Blue Jackets (1-1-0) Columbus has performed the fewest video games within the league at two, so it’s laborious to get on anyone’s case simply but. That mentioned, you already know first-year Jacket Valeri Nichushkin would like to get his first with Columbus. 

22. Nashville Predators (1-1-1) Only three Preds — Steven Stamkos (three), Nils Hoglander (three) and Roman Josi (one) — have discovered the web to date. Basically, throw a dart on the Nashville roster and also you’ll hit a man anxious to get that first one. 

23. New York Islanders (1-2-0) Kyle Palmieri was restricted to simply 25 video games final 12 months, and you already know the man who’s popped 30 twice in his profession would like to get going and assist the Isles assault this season. 

24. Seattle Kraken (2-2-0) Seattle’s 12 objectives at five-on-five by 4 video games is a pleasant shock, although that’s largely based mostly on blasting the lowly Calgary Flames twice already this season. One man who’d like to hitch the purpose celebration is Brandon Montour, a defenceman able to contributing greater than 15 tallies in a superb season. 

25. St. Louis Blues (1-2-0) It’s not that stunning to see playmaker Robert Thomas with out a purpose by three contests, however to see him with out a level is one other matter. 

26. Detroit Red Wings (1-2-0) Lucas Raymond has but to search out the web, however — with each Dylan Larkin and Simon Edvinsson doubtlessly getting moved — Red Wings followers have greater fish to fry proper now. 

27. Los Angeles Kings (0-2-1) The Kings want 20-goal manufacturing from Mats Zuccarello, even when he’s 39 years previous. 

28. New Jersey Devils (1-2-0) From captain Nico Hischier, to newcomer Anthony Mantha, to wingers Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt, a variety of Devils are gipping the stick proper now. 

29. Philadelphia Flyers (0-2-2) It’s been a ugly begin for the Flyers and Travis Konecny is dash-4 with zero objectives. 

30. Vancouver Canucks (2-2-0) The Canucks have proven actual spirit out of the gate and you already know Zeev Buium’s temper would elevate a bit if he received his first tally after inking that large contract extension in the summertime. 

31. Chicago Blackhawks (1-3-0) You can’t count on the world from a rookie, however to date Roman Kantserov — who arrived with justifiable fanfare from the KHL — has but to get that first NHL marker. 

32. Calgary Flames (0-3-0) Ugh. The Flames have however three objectives this 12 months, so someone — anyone! — goes to should step up. Captain Mikael Backlund leads the workforce with 9 pictures, however none of them have gone in.