Three underperforming NHL players who need to step up moving forward

We’re deep sufficient into the NHL season now that persistence is beginning to put on skinny for some across the league. 

Groups that got here in with playoff expectations can’t actually name it a small pattern dimension anymore, and ready round for issues to magically repair themselves isn’t a lot of a plan. When that occurs, consideration all the time turns to the celebs.

If the celebs aren’t driving play or producing the best way they usually do, all the things else begins to really feel more durable. Traces get shuffled, roles get stretched and the margin for error disappears fairly shortly.

Not each sluggish stretch is a pink flag. Accidents occur, methods change and a few guys simply want time to settle in. However at a sure level, particularly in a decent race, groups want their greatest gamers to be precisely that. With that in thoughts, listed below are three gamers whose groups want extra from them because the season goes on.

You can make a case for almost each Maple Leafs star to look on this checklist, given the workforce’s latest struggles, however the brunt of it falls on the captain. Whether or not it’s an damage, issue adapting to Craig Berube’s system or the departure of Mitch Marner, one thing merely hasn’t seemed proper with Matthews.

The celebrity middle has been held to 23 factors (14 targets, 9 assists) via 30 video games, with 4 of these factors (three targets, one help) coming by way of the empty internet. Past the numbers, the attention check hasn’t been encouraging, both. Matthews has typically been unnoticeable in video games, going lengthy stretches with out touching the puck or driving play the best way he’s recognized for. It’s develop into regarding, and a few are beginning to wonder if that is an prolonged stoop — or an unlucky glimpse of a brand new regular.

Subsequent up is one other elite middle from the Atlantic Division. Tampa Bay has managed to remain afloat, largely thanks to Jon Cooper’s coaching, however doing so with out Level at his traditional stage isn’t a formulation that can maintain up all season.

Level missed seven video games in November on account of damage, however even accounting for that, the manufacturing hasn’t been there. In 28 video games, he’s posted 19 factors (six targets, 13 assists), nicely off the tempo of the 40-goal, 80-point seasons he’s delivered over the previous three years. He’s begun to search out his sport since returning, and if the Lightning have any actual hopes of contending once more, they’ll want their high middle to maintain trending upward.

Fiala could not all the time get the highlight, however he’s one of many league’s extra underrated offensive gamers, with the talent set to play at a real star stage. We’ve seen that manufacturing earlier than, notably throughout his last years in Minnesota and early in his time with the Kings. To this point in 2025-26, although, it’s been nearer to wonderful than difference-making.

His 23 factors (12 targets, 11 assists) in 34 video games are respectable, however Fiala has proven he can produce at a point-per-game tempo, and there’s little cause to assume he can’t get again there. Exterior of star winger Adrian Kempe, the Kings battle to generate offense, which places much more strain on Fiala to hold a bigger share of the load if Los Angeles desires to maintain tempo within the Pacific Division.