Each week, the NHL Star Power Index highlights players who are creating significant buzz around the league. Being on this list signifies capturing the hockey world`s attention.
The players are presented without ranking based on buzz. This index is updated weekly throughout the regular season.
The Philadelphia Flyers recently dismissed coach John Tortorella after three unremarkable seasons. Despite organizational uncertainty, rookie forward Matvei Michkov has been a bright spot.
Michkov has been on a scoring spree, amassing four goals and three assists in his last three games, including two games with two goals each.
In a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Monday, Michkov contributed two assists, equaling Peter Zezel for the sixth-most multi-point games (18) by a Flyers rookie. He also matched Eric Lindros (1992-93), Larry Goodenough (1975-76), and Bill Barber (1972-73) for the ninth-most assists (34) by a Flyers rookie.
Michkov, selected as the No. 7 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, is playing his first North American season after leaving his KHL contract in the previous offseason. He currently holds the second position among NHL rookies in points (58), trailing only Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (62).
Michkov showcased a two-goal performance in a 7-4 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, opening the scoring for the Flyers in a high-scoring game.
Just 5:27 into the game against Buffalo, Flyers defenseman Egor Zemula blocked a Sabres shot, initiating a Flyers rush. Travis Konecny picked up the puck and joined Michkov on a two-on-one. Michkov received the puck near the red line, entered the offensive zone, and fired a shot under Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen`s glove.
In the second period, Konecny and Michkov teamed up again for another Philadelphia goal. At 10:36, Flyers captain Sean Couturier freed the puck along the blue line and passed to Konecny, who quickly forwarded it to Michkov speeding ahead. Michkov then sent a backhand shot over Luukkonen`s shoulder.
Michkov is currently on a six-game point streak, during which he has accumulated four goals and six assists.
The Flyers forward is making a late push for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL`s best rookie. While Lane Hutson is the frontrunner, Michkov is not far behind offensively and is proving to be a crucial part of Philadelphia`s future, regardless of the award outcome.
The NHL points race is intensifying as the regular season nears its end. Leading the charge is Tampa Bay Lightning`s Nikita Kucherov, consistently adding to his point total.
Kucherov recently completed an eight-game point streak, recording five goals and 14 assists.
In 71 games this season, Kucherov has amassed 111 points (33 goals, 78 assists), just three points behind Colorado Avalanche`s Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead (114). Kucherov, last season`s Art Ross Trophy winner, has scored in four of his last six games and achieved four consecutive multi-assist games before Thursday`s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Just 2:02 into Saturday`s 5-3 win over the New York Islanders, Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman found Kucherov in the neutral zone, initiating a rush to the net. Kucherov accelerated, entered the offensive zone, and unleashed a shot that ricocheted off the post and into the goal.
Later, Kucherov turned playmaker, with the Lightning leading 3-0 in the second period. With 17 seconds left, Kucherov received a pass from Brandon Hagel in the face-off circle. Instead of shooting, Kucherov passed to Brayden Point for an easy goal.
Kucherov is projected to reach 128 points this season, potentially his second-highest career total after 144 points in 2023-24. He has already secured his fourth consecutive 100-point season.
Kucherov`s playmaking has been prominent recently, positioning him closely with MacKinnon in the points race as the regular season concludes.
The New York Rangers are in a playoff battle as the regular season concludes. Despite an inconsistent season, Adam Fox has been a reliable presence on their defense.
Fox ranks second on the Rangers in points (56) and assists (47), and leads in power-play assists (16). The experienced defenseman has scored three goals and one assist in his last three games, including a two-goal game against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
Against San Jose, Fox capitalized on excellent puck movement, scoring after passes from Mika Zibanejad and Brennan Othmann. Fox received the puck and shot high to beat Sharks goalie Alexandar Georgiev.
With a 4-0 lead, Fox scored again in the third period. After K`Andre Miller`s shot went wide, J.T. Miller attempted to sweep the puck in, and it deflected off Georgiev near the goal line. Fox tapped the loose puck into the net for an easy goal.
Fox has become more offensively active recently, taking nine shots in his last three games.
As the Rangers aim for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, Fox`s offensive contribution will be crucial down the stretch.
Jordan Binnington impressed at the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this season and has maintained that high level of play for the St. Louis Blues, who are vying for a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
Since the 4 Nations Face-Off, Binnington has a 10-2-0 record with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
The Blues goalie has conceded only three goals in his last three games, all resulting in Blues wins. In his latest start, Binnington saved 20 of 21 shots in a 2-1 overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.
Binnington has allowed two or fewer goals in nine of 13 games since the 4 Nations Face-Off and has won six consecutive starts.
The Blues have an 11-game winning streak since March 15. Binnington`s elite performance comes at a crucial time for St. Louis as they fight for a playoff berth late in the season.
