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FRI. DEC. 12
Player to watch for goal, point and/or shots on goal: Dylan Guenther, F, UTA (vs. SEA; 9 p.m. ET; Utah16, KHN/Prime, KONG)
-Has 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 32 games this season.
-10 points (five goals, five assists) and three power-play points in his past 10 games; three goals in past two games.
-Leads Utah in shots on goal (104); Has had at least 3 SOG in 12 of his past 17 games.
-Has three power-play points in his past five games; The Seattle Kraken have the worst penalty kill percentage (67.1) in the NHL.
-The Kraken have lost six of their past seven games and have allowed at least four goals in four of their past five.
-EDGE stats: Ranks among the leaders at forward in midrange SOG (40; ninth in NHL), long-range SOG (14; 97th percentile), high-danger SOG (27; 88th percentile), long-range goals (two; 98th percentile), midrange goals (six; 96th percentile), 20-plus mph speed bursts (105; 98th percentile), max skating speed (23.02 mph; 91st percentile), total skating distance (86.15 miles; 85th percentile) and average shot speed (59.96 mph; 89th percentile). -- Chris Meaney
Player to watch for goal, point and/or shots on goal: Tyler Bertuzzi, F, CHI (at STL; 8 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SN, TVAS)
-Ranks second on Chicago in points (26), goals (16) and shots on goal (60) in 27 games.
-Tied for first on Blackhawks in power-play points (13); 10 power-play points in past 17 games.
-Tied for second in NHL in power-play goals (eight).
-Has had at least one point in 13 of his past 17 games and 20 points (14 goals, six assists) over span.
-Has at least two SOG in four straight games.
-EDGE stats: Ranks first in NHL in high-danger goals (15) and ranks highly among forwards in high-danger SOG (31; 92nd percentile).
-The St. Louis Blues have allowed the second-most goals per game (3.56) and have the ninth-worst penalty kill percentage (77.8). -- Meaney
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Other players to watch for goal and/or shots on goal:
JJ Peterka, F, UTA (vs. SEA)
Dylan Holloway, F, STL (vs. CHI)
Other players to watch for point:
Pavel Buchnevich, F, STL (vs. CHI)
Andre Burakovsky, F, CHI (at STL)
Other players to watch for multiple points and/or shots on goal:
Connor Bedard, F, CHI (at STL)
Clayton Keller, F, UTA (vs. SEA)
Other players to watch for assist:
Robert Thomas, F, STL (vs. CHI)
Nick Schmaltz, F, UTA (vs. SEA)
Other players to watch for shots on goal:
Brandon Montour, D, SEA (at UTA)
Barrett Hayton, F, UTA (vs. SEA)
Line combos/trios to consider:
STL: Robert Thomas -- Pavel Buchnevich
CHI: Connor Bedard -- Andre Burakovsky
UTA: Clayton Keller -- Nick Schmaltz
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FUTURES WATCH
NOTES: The below players are candidates to watch, from front-runners to sleepers, for various 2026 NHL Awards. These lists are a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen, Chris Meaney and Troy Perlowitz.
Art Ross Trophy:
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
- Connor McDavid, F, EDM
- Macklin Celebrini, F, SJS
- Connor Bedard, F, CHI
- Jack Eichel, F, VGK
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy:
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
- Leon Draisaitl, F, EDM
- Jason Robertson, F, DAL
- Morgan Geekie, F, BOS
- Cole Caufield, F, MTL
Hart Trophy:
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
- Jack Eichel, F, VGK
- Leo Carlsson, F, ANA
- Macklin Celebrini, F, SJS
- David Pastrnak, F, BOS
Norris Trophy:
- Cale Makar, D, COL
- Quinn Hughes, D, VAN
- Miro Heiskanen, D, DAL
- Lane Hutson, D, MTL
- Matthew Schaefer, D, NYI
Vezina Trophy:
- Logan Thompson, G, WSH
- Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, TBL
- Ilya Sorokin, G, NYI
- Spencer Knight, G, CHI
- Scott Wedgewood, G, COL
Key injury: Connor Hellebuyck, G, WPG
Calder Trophy:
- Matthew Schaefer, D, NYI
- Ivan Demidov, F, MTL
- Beckett Sennecke, F, ANA
- Jesper Wallstedt, G, MIN
- Yaroslav Askarov, G, SJS
Jack Adams Award:
- Joel Quenneville, ANA
- Jared Bednar, COL
- Jeff Blashill, CHI
- Dan Muse, PIT
- Ryan Warsofsky, SJS
Stanley Cup:
- Colorado Avalanche
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Dallas Stars
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Florida Panthers
