NHL Top 10: Nov. 30
Another week, another set of rankings.
Here’s a look at the best teams in the NHL right now:
10. Los Angeles Kings (12-9, 3rd in Pacific)
The Kings barely make the list, but are looking to change up things after placing Cal Petersen on waivers after a nasty 9-8 battle with the Seattle Kraken.
Jonathan Quick, the starting goalie, hasn’t performed much better than Petersen but has a chance to stand out now.
9. Winnipeg Jets (14-6, 2nd in Western)
Josh Morrissey has been great for the Jets, leading the team in assists and points.
Connor Hellebuyck is on the league leaderboard for GAA and save percentage, as well as having three shutout wins.
8. Carolina Hurricanes (12-6, 3rd in Metro)
The Hurricanes are finding ways to play through an injured Teuvo Teravainen and Frederik Andersen.
Svechnikov, Aho and Necas lead the team while Antti Raanta starts in the net.
If the Canes keep playing hard with men on the injured reserve, they can work their way up to the top.
7. New York Islanders (15-9-0, 2nd in Metro)
The Islanders are a team bouncing back from being 20th in the league last year, and they’ve found solid ground in Ilya Sorokin.
Sorokin is second in the league in GAA and save percentage, and Mathew Barzal is leading the league in assists with 24 despite scoring two goals.
6. Seattle Kraken (14-5, 2nd in Pacific)
The Kraken have had a turn-around season thanks to Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle and Matty Beniers.
The Kraken’s Nov. 29 game against the Los Angeles Kings was an epic 9-8 matchup that resulted in a Seattle victory and 17 goals scored; a great way to showcase a high-scoring game with an up-and-coming team.
5. Dallas Stars (13-6, 1st in Western)
Jason Robertson has come into November with a bang, winning First Star of the Month twice and leading the league in goals. He also trails Connor McDavid for second-most points in the league.
Roope Hintz just inked an eight-year, $67.6-million deal, which shows a promising future for Dallas.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs (14-5-0, 2nd in Atlantic)
The Maple Leafs are on a four-game winning streak and dropped easy games in overtime but are still holding out strong.
Mitchell Marner has been on a 17-game point streak, and Auston Matthews and John Tavares have come up in huge spots for the team.
If the Maple Leafs keep playing hard, they’ll have a chance to advance into the top three.
3. Vegas Golden Knights (17-6, 1st in Pacific)
The Golden Knights bounced back from a great season last year and lead the Pacific by three games.
Jack Eichel has been a huge producer after being traded to the Golden Knights from the Buffalo Sabres.
Logan Thompson has been solid in the net, and Adin Hill is a strong backup goalie. With brick walls in the net and strong scorers, Vegas has a good chance of remaining in the top three.
2. Boston Bruins (19-3-0, 1st in Atlantic)
The Bruins keep fighting for the league lead, but they lead the Atlantic by five games.
The Bruins have remained on the leaderboard in other rankings, too. David Pastrnak was named Second Star of the Month, and Linus Ullmark was named Second Star of the Nov. 13 week. Ullmark is also the best goalie in the league right now, leading in GAA, save percentage and wins.
1. New Jersey Devils (19-4-0, 1st in Metro)
The New Jersey Devils have surprised the league, coming off a 27-46 record last season. They’ve taken the Metro division by storm on a 13-game win streak that was snapped in their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Jack Hughes has had an electric start, leading the team in goals and points, and Jesper Bratt leads the team in assists.
After Mackenzie Blackwood’s injury, Vitek Vanecek has stepped up into the starting role.
Adrianna Gallucci is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.
