SAT. NOV. 23
Player to watch for shots on goal: Leon Draisaitl, F, EDM (vs. NYR)
The Edmonton Oilers forward is tied for the NHL lead in goals (15) and tied for seventh in points (28). Draisaitl has five multipoint games and at least three shots on goal in five of his past seven games. He has at least two shots on goal in 13 of his past 15 games and at least three shots on goal in 10 of those games (2.8 SOG per game in that span). The New York Rangers allowed 49 shots on goal in their last game and have allowed the fourth-most shots on goal per game (32.2) in the NHL; the Oilers, meanwhile, rank second in the League in shots on goal per game (33.0). Per EDGE NHL stats, Draisaitl’s top skating speed is 22.85 miles per hour (89th percentile), he has 48 speed bursts of at least 20 mph (91st percentile) and ranks among the leaders in offensive zone time percentage at even strength (46.6; 97th percentile). The only Oilers players with more shots on goal than Draisaitl (56) are Connor McDavid (66) and Jeff Skinner (57). -- Chris Meaney
Others to watch for shots on goal: Brad Marchand, F, BOS (at DET); Dylan Guenther, F, UTA (at PIT)
Player to watch for point: Wyatt Johnston, F, DAL (at TBL)
The Dallas Stars forward had his first multipoint game of the season in their win against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday. Johnston had five shots on goal (his second-most in a game this season) and scored his third goal of the season. He only has nine points through 18 games, but it’s worth noting Johnston only had 21 points over his first 35 games last season before having 44 points over his final 47 games; then he had 17 points in 19 games during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Dallas coach Pete DeBoer put Johnston on a new top line with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz on Wednesday, and it sparked all three forwards; they combined for three goals, seven points and 12 shots on goal. Per NHL EDGE stats, Johnston’s 19 high-danger shots on goal rank in the 91st percentile. -- Chris Meaney
Others to watch for point: Pavel Dorofeyev, F, VGK (at MTL); Elias Lindholm, F, BOS (at DET)
Player to watch for assist: Jack Hughes, F, NJD (at WSH)
The New Jersey Devils forward is tied with his wing linemate Jesper Bratt for the 10th-most assists (17) in the NHL. Hughes had three assists in their win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, and it was the second time in his past three games that he had three assists. The former No. 1 pick from the 2019 NHL Draft has nine assists in his past seven games. Hughes and Bratt have combined for 12 goals and 27 points in their past eight games. Hughes is an NHL EDGE stat darling, ranking ninth among forwards in max skating speed (23.33 mph), first in the entire League in total miles skated (80.60) and in the 89th percentile in speed bursts over 20 mph (45). -- Chris Meaney
Player to watch for goal and/or point: Jack Roslovic, F, CAR (at CBJ)
The Carolina forward has already surpassed his goal total from last season (nine); he scored his 11th of the season in a 4-2 loss at New Jersey on Thursday and has been playing on the top line with elite center Sebastian Aho. It was Roslovic's second goal in as many games and sixth in 11 road games. Roslovic played a season-high 19:59 (led Carolina forwards with 16:15 at 5-on-5) on Thursday, increasing his average ice time to 14:20 in his first season with the Hurricanes. It was the second time this season where the wing played more than 16:00 in a game (second time in his past six games). Roslovic will face his former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, for the first time since they traded him to the New York Rangers on March 8, 2024. The Blue Jackets are allowing the third-most goals per game (3.58) and have allowed at least four goals in seven of their past 10 games (4.3 per game in span). Per NHL EDGE stats, Roslovic ranks among the leaders in top skating speed (22.89 mph; 90th percentile), speed bursts over 20 mph (52; 94th percentile), top shot speed (91.48 mph; 92nd percentile) and offensive zone time percentage at even strength (45.6; 95th percentile). -- Chris Meaney
