In an electrifying return to form, Artturi Lehkonen has been making waves in the NHL after his comeback from offseason shoulder surgery. Despite missing the start of the NHL season, Lehkonen has wasted no time in demonstrating his prowess on the ice. The Finnish forward’s recent performance has been nothing short of spectacular, scoring four goals over his last three games, a tally that includes his first-ever NHL hat trick against the Utah Hockey Club on December 27. He further bolstered his goal-scoring record with a strike against the Jets on New Year's Eve, bringing his December total to an impressive 10 goals.
Lehkonen, who began his NHL journey with the Montreal Canadiens in the 2016-17 season, has continued to enhance his reputation since moving to the Colorado Avalanche in March 2022. After aiding Colorado in securing the Stanley Cup, he remains an integral part of the team's attack, having already notched his second multi-goal game of the current season. Support from teammates like Sam Malinski, who assisted one of his goals, and Nathan MacKinnon, who set up another, has been pivotal in bolstering Lehkonen’s renewed success.
Elsewhere in the NHL, Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights is turning heads with his playmaking abilities. Leading his team with 40 assists and a remarkable 50 points, Eichel’s consistency is unquestionable. He has logged assists in each of his last five games, including a two-assist performance that contributed to the Golden Knights’ 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Eichel is currently on track to record 86 assists, potentially surpassing his previous career-high achieved with the Buffalo Sabres, as he plays a crucial role in the Golden Knights' offense, which ranks third in the league, averaging 3.55 goals per game.
In Edmonton, Evan Bouchard continues to be an influential presence for the Oilers. Ranking third in points and assists for his team, Bouchard, who spends an average of 23:38 per game on the ice, recently recorded a goal and two assists over his last three matchups. Nevertheless, despite his individual accomplishments, the Oilers struggled against the Anaheim Ducks, suffering a 5-3 defeat, underscoring the challenges facing the team.
The New Jersey Devils, meanwhile, are benefiting from their strategic acquisition of Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. Markstrom has quickly proven his value, boasting a recent record of 3-1-0 complemented by a 1.25 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage. His December performance was particularly dominant, evidenced by an 8-1-0 record and a .937 save percentage, helping the Devils maintain their lead in the Metropolitan Division.
As the NHL season progresses, these standout performances from Lehkonen, Eichel, Bouchard, and Markstrom highlight the dynamic nature of the league, where individual brilliance continues to thrill fans and shape the trajectory of their teams. With the stakes escalating, all eyes will be on these exceptional players as they strive to maintain their momentum and propel their teams toward success.