Each week, the NHL Star Power Index highlights players making significant waves in the league. Inclusion in this list signifies a player is capturing considerable attention in the hockey world.
The players are presented without any ranking order based on buzz. The Star Power Index will be updated weekly throughout the regular season.
Auston Matthews
Toronto Maple Leafs • Center • #34
27
34
+2
After an initial setback this season, Auston Matthews is now hitting his peak performance as the season progresses.
Matthews has been on a scoring spree, recording four goals and one assist in his last four games, highlighted by a standout St. Patrick’s Day performance during a 6-2 victory against the Calgary Flames.
In a recent game, Matthews amassed all three of his points in the second period alone, marking his 11th career three-point period. Furthermore, it was his 36th multi-goal period, making him the all-time leader for the Maple Leafs in this regard.
During a power play in the second period, William Nylander initiated a play with a shot that was blocked, only for the puck to return to him.
Nylander then located Matthews positioned in the face-off circle, who, after assessing his options, unleashed a powerful shot over the shoulder of Flames goalie Dustin Wolf.
Just over three minutes later, Mitch Marner made a crucial play to keep the puck in the offensive zone during another Maple Leafs power play. Matthews received the puck near the face-off circle, passed it to Nylander, who then found Matthew Knies behind the net. Knies quickly set up Matthews in the face-off circle for a blistering one-timer.
Matthews has now scored in four consecutive games, including a goal in a 2-1 win against the Colorado Avalanche following his standout performance.
Matthews’s scoring surge comes at a critical time as the Maple Leafs are in close contention with the Florida Panthers for the top playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. If Matthews maintains his consistent goal-scoring prowess, the Maple Leafs could be strong contenders for the Stanley Cup this spring.
Jesper Bratt
New Jersey Devils • Left Wing • #63
20
60
+9
The New Jersey Devils are currently facing challenges without their key forward Jack Hughes as the Stanley Cup Playoffs approach. Consequently, winger Jesper Bratt has taken on a more significant offensive role and is performing exceptionally.
Bratt recently concluded a four-game point streak, achieving multi-point games in three of those contests.
Bratt has made history as the sixth player in Devils history to accumulate at least three points in three consecutive games, joining Jack Hughes and Ilya Kovalchuk as the only three to achieve this in the last 30 years.
In a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, Bratt scored for the third time in four games, which proved to be the decisive goal.
During the second period, Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves attempted to play the puck from behind his net, but it deflected off the back of the net. Bratt capitalized on this opportunity, seizing the loose puck and quickly shooting it into the net before Greaves could recover his position.
Bratt leads the Devils in both points (80) and assists (60), solidifying his status as one of the most impactful playmakers in the Eastern Conference. He also leads New Jersey in power-play assists with 26.
The absence of Hughes is a significant setback for the Devils, yet they remain a strong contender for the second seed in the Metropolitan Division as the playoffs approach. If Bratt continues his role as a key facilitator, the Devils will be a formidable team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Cale Makar
Colorado Avalanche • Defenseman • #8
25
55
+25
Cale Makar has had an outstanding start to March, elevating the Colorado Avalanche’s status as a serious contender in the Western Conference.
Makar has accumulated three goals and ten assists in just nine games this month, including a goal and four assists in his last three games. Recently, the Avalanche defenseman contributed a goal and two assists in a 4-3 overtime win against the Dallas Stars.
Makar’s performance marked his seventh game this season with three or more points, making him one of only nine defensemen in NHL history to achieve this feat in three different seasons. He is the first defenseman to reach this milestone since Brian Leetch.
Averaging 1.08 points per game in his career, Makar is among only four defensemen to maintain at least a point per game over a minimum of 100 games, alongside Bobby Orr, Harry Cameron, and Paul Coffey.
Makar delivered a dramatic moment in the game against the Stars, scoring the overtime game-winning goal.
Just 34 seconds into overtime, after winning a face-off, Nathan MacKinnon advanced the puck and passed it to Makar at the blue line. Makar then skillfully maneuvered through the Stars’ defense and scored past goalie Jake Oettinger for the win.
Makar is a strong contender for his second Norris Trophy, currently leading all NHL defensemen in points (79), goals (25), and assists (55), with Zach Werenski and Quinn Hughes as his main competitors.
Filip Gustavsson
Minnesota Wild • Goalie • #32
27-15-4
2.51
91.7
Minnesota Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson continued his impressive form this week, delivering one of his most remarkable performances of the season.
Gustavsson stopped all 34 shots in a 2-0 shutout victory against the Seattle Kraken. This shutout was his fifth of the season, tying him for second in the NHL for shutouts.
This performance marked his second-highest shutout total in a single season in Wild history. According to NHL EDGE data, Gustavsson has also recorded 31 games with a save percentage of .900 or higher, ranking third among NHL goalies, only behind Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevsky.
Gustavsson has a 5-2-0 record, a 1.73 goals-against average, and a .940 save percentage this month. Besides the shutout, he also made 28 saves on 29 shots in a 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings.
If Gustavsson maintains this level of play, the Wild are likely to secure a playoff spot this season.
Elton Marrow