
Three-year NHL overview: Top 10 in goals, assists, points, even-strength points, points per 60 minutes and primary assists for skaters; and, wins, save percentage, goals-against average and shutouts for goalies.
Who have been the NHL's most productive skaters and stingiest goalies over the past three seasons?
Let's find out.
Going back to the start of the 2015-16 season, here's a three-year overview of the NHL's top 10 in goals, assists, points, even-strength points, points per 60 minutes and primary assists for skaters; and, wins, save percentage, goals-against average and shutouts for goalies.
(Note: Statistics are through games played as of March 10, 2018.)
Top 10 Goals: No big surprises here, although seeing Marchand third overall in total goals over the past three seasons might make you look twice. Ovechkin hasn't lapped the field but he's not exactly looking over his shoulder, either. Malkin has played 45 fewer games than Ovechkin since the start of 2015-16, scoring 25 fewer goals in that span. Crunch the numbers and Ovechkin's goals-per-game rate (0.5371) comes in a whisker ahead of Malkin's (0.5326).
Top 10 Assists:A couple of somewhat unexpected names at the top, with the only defenseman on the list, Karlsson, leading the way, followed by underappreciated playmaker Wheeler. Most people probably would've predicted Crosby to be No. 1, but the Penguins captain is down the list in ninth place. McDavid has the best assists-per-game rate (0.78) since the start of 2015-16, followed by Getzlaf (0.76)
Top 10 Points: Here's another one where you probably would've guessed Crosby, but it's Kane with the most combined points over the past three seasons. McDavid and Malkin would be in the running for top spot if they hadn't spent so much time on the sidelines.
Top 10 Even-Strength Points: It's Kane again, though his even-strength points per game (0.77) trails McDavid's impressive rate (0.87). For comparison's sake, Crosby's even-strength points per game since the start of 2015-16 has been 0.74. How about Panarin in a tie for fourth? It helped that he played with Kane for a couple seasons in Chicago, but he's kept up the pace this year in Columbus.
Top 10 Points Per 60 Minutes: Malkin is making the most of his ice time, with a sizable edge in this category. Three pairs of teammates are represented – Pittsburgh's Malkin and Crosby, Tampa Bay's Kucherov and Stamkos and Boston's Marchand Pastrnak. Laine, perhaps, is the most surprising player to crack the top 10.
Top 10 Primary Assists: Here's yet another one where you might've guessed Crosby, but nope. He's tied for eighth, nearly 30 primary assists behind Wheeler, the best-kept secret in Winnipeg. Getzlaf might be in first if not for injuries. Kuznetsov and Panarin qualify as the most unexpected names in the top 10.
Top 10 Wins: No shockers. Holtby has been a beast for the Capitals, while Rinne and Dubnyk keep winning for the Preds and Wild, respectively. Crawford might be pushing for a spot in the top three if not for injuries. (If you're wondering, Montreal's Carey Price ranks 24th with 62 wins in 117 games over the past three seasons.)
Top 10 Save Percentage: Wow, how about Gibson? Nobody's been better, percentage-wise, at stopping pucks over the past three seasons than the Ducks goalie. Raanta and Hutton also rank higher than you'd think, and Luongo's showing he still has something left in the tank, too.
Top 10 Goals-Against Average: Hutton has the advantage of a smaller sample size, but he's still sporting a 2.23 GAA in 77 games over the past three seasons. That's impressive, backup or not. We should probably be giving more recognition to Gibson, considering he's first in save percentage and second in GAA since the start of 2015-16. And look, there's Raanta in the top five again.
Top 10 Shutouts: Perhaps the biggest surprise is that no goalie has averaged five shutouts per season over the past three years. Granted, Rask, Rinne and Dubnyk all have a good chance, they just need one more whitewash apiece before the end of the season.