The NHL Star Power Index highlights players generating significant buzz in the league. Leading the charge is Alex Ovechkin, who is just 12 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record. His recent performance includes a hat trick against the Edmonton Oilers, marking the 19th 30-goal season of his career, a league record. Ovechkin's consistent scoring in recent games suggests he will likely surpass Gretzky's record if he remains healthy.

Mark Scheifele also stands out, recently becoming the all-time leading scorer for the Winnipeg Jets with a game-winning goal. With 33 goals this season, he's in a close race for the league lead, currently trailing only Leon Draisaitl.

Lane Hutson of the Canadiens is making waves as well, achieving 40 assists, a feat matched by few rookies in franchise history and showcasing his potential as a top defenseman. Meanwhile, Andrei Vasilevskiy continues to be a crucial asset for the Tampa Bay Lightning, boasting impressive stats that position the team favorably in the playoff race.

The Montreal Canadiens are facing a tough challenge as Kaiden Guhle, their top shutdown defenseman, is set to miss an indefinite period following surgery for a lacerated quadriceps muscle. Guhle sustained the injury during a recent game against the Winnipeg Jets, leading to his exit in the third period.

At just 23 years old, Guhle has become a key player for the Canadiens, contributing four goals and ten assists this season, while also being a vital part of their penalty-killing unit. His absence will be felt, particularly as the team is vying for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second wild-card position.

Dylan Larkin made his 700th NHL game memorable with a power-play goal and an assist as the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2, ending a three-game losing streak. The Wings' offense came alive, with Andrew Copp contributing a shorthanded goal, and Alex DeBrincat and Jonatan Berggren also finding the net. Goaltender Cam Talbot made 27 saves to secure the victory.

For the Canadiens, Kirby Dach scored and assisted on a goal, while Kaiden Guhle also scored. Brendan Gallagher registered an assist in his 800th game, alongside Christian Dvorak and Patrik Laine, who reached 500 games. The game marked a halt to Lane Hutson's impressive nine-game point streak.

In a stunning display of resilience, Jonathan Marchessault led the Nashville Predators to a historic comeback against the San Jose Sharks, overcoming a daunting 5-1 deficit with six unanswered goals. This marked the first time in franchise history that the Predators achieved a four-goal comeback. Marchessault's stellar performance, accounting for four points (1 goal, 3 assists), also extended his impressive scoring streak to nine games.

Meanwhile, other Eastern Conference teams jockeyed for position in the tightly contested Wild Card race. Lane Hutson of the Canadiens, Adam Fox from the Rangers, and Rasmus Ristolainen of the Flyers all contributed to their teams' victories. Hutson tied the rookie defenseman assist streak record and played a pivotal role in Montreal's comeback win against Columbus, while Fox's two assists propelled him into the top five of all-time points for New York defensemen during a shutout victory. Ristolainen continues to make waves with his overtime goal, solidifying his status as a key player for the Flyers.

The Montreal Canadiens secured a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against the New York Rangers, thanks to a game-winning goal by Patrik Laine just over three minutes into the extra period. The Canadiens displayed resilience, repeatedly battling back from one-goal deficits, with Jakub Dobes making 23 key saves to maintain their momentum. Laine's decisive goal capped off a night where Brendan Gallagher, Christian Dvorak, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky also contributed to the scoreboard.

On the opposing side, the Rangers had a strong showing with goals from Alexis Lafreniere, Will Cuylle, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider, along with notable assists by Adam Fox. Despite their two-game winning streak coming to an end, Jonathan Quick’s 33 saves kept the game competitive. A pivotal moment came when Slafkovsky tied the game late in the third period, marking a significant comeback for the Canadiens.