NHL Player Power Rankings: Unstoppable Kucherov surges back to the top

In the third edition of the player power rankings, theScore hockey editors Josh Wegman, Flip Livingstone, and Sean O'Leary order the top players from around the league based on all-around performance this season.

10. Drew Doughty

Previously unranked

Doughty's future in L.A. may be uncertain, but one thing is for sure: the rugged rearguard is one of the best in the business. A leader in the locker room and on the ice, the perennial Norris Trophy threat is a big reason the Kings find themselves in first place. - Livingstone

9. Anze Kopitar

Previously unranked

Another underrated Kings player who deserves a lot more love than he usually gets, Kopitar is having a massive bounce-back year following a campaign in which he registered only 12 goals. On pace for 91 points, he's been the Kings' best forward night in and night out. - Livingstone

8. Johnny Gaudreau

Previously 1st

Gaudreau may have cooled slightly of late, but he remains one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the game. His 41 points and ridiculous possession numbers lead us to believe he'll be on this list a lot more moving forward. - Livingstone

7. Sidney Crosby

Previously unranked

Sid might not be lighting the lamp on the regular right now, but power rankings aren't complete without the best player on the planet. Crosby is still performing at almost a point-per-game clip and he seems to be rounding into form, registering eight goals and 11 assists in his last 16 games. - Livingstone

6. Nathan MacKinnon

Previously unranked

From one Nova Scotia native to the next. MacKinnon is having that huge breakout season we've been waiting for, despite scoring just one goal in his first 10 games. His play has helped transform the Avs from league laughingstocks into a team that's fun to watch - and has a legitimately bright future. - Wegman

5. Alex Ovechkin

Previously unranked

After one subpar season, Ovechkin is back scoring at a 50-goal pace. More importantly, he has picked up the slack for all of Washington's offseason departures, as his Caps sit near the top of the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division. - Wegman

4. Connor McDavid

Previously 7th

McDavid hasn't dazzled to the extent he did a year ago, but he is still arguably the most dynamic and dangerous player in the game today. The Oilers go as he goes, and given how much better they've played of late, their best player deserves recognition. - Wegman

3. Steven Stamkos

Previously 2nd

Stamkos has slowed down a touch this month, but remains in the top five in scoring and sits second in points per game. His importance to the Lightning's success can't be understated, and his return as one of the top producers in the NHL, after a treacherous spell of injuries, is one of the better stories of the season. - O'Leary

2. John Tavares

Previously unranked

Since the start of December, no one has out-produced Tavares, who has recorded 18 points in 12 contests in the final month of the calendar. Linemate Josh Bailey has actually equaled that number, but it's No. 91 who drives the bus in New York, and he's picked a good time to have his best season yet. - O'Leary

1. Nikita Kucherov

Previously 3rd

Over the past 10 seasons, only Crosby, Ovechkin, and Evgeni Malkin have reached 50 points faster than Kucherov, who accomplished the feat in his 34th game. Kucherov has developed into one of the best players in the world and could be in store for the Rocket Richard, Art Ross, and Hart trophies if this keeps up. - O'Leary

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)