This is the seventh edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for 2019-20. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, we identify one holiday gift each team could use for this campaign or the future.

1. Washington Capitals (26-6-5)

Previous rank: 1

It's tough to shop for somebody who's got it all, but we'll gift the Capitals a Magic 8-Ball to help them make a difficult decision on Braden Holtby after the season. The 30-year-old is a pending unrestricted free agent, and Washington has a promising, cheaper backup option who seems able to take over the reins in goal.

2. St. Louis Blues (23-8-6)

Previous rank: 5

A pen for captain Alex Pietrangelo to ink a contract extension has to be at the top of the Blues' wish list.

3. Colorado Avalanche (22-11-3)

Previous rank: 3

A fully recovered Cale Makar is all the Avalanche want to find under their tree this year. Since the rookie phenom has been sidelined, Colorado's usually lethal power play ranks 24th with a 13.6% conversion rate.

4. Boston Bruins (21-7-9)

Previous rank: 2

The Bruins have shown their inability to capitalize in overtime and the shootout, so they're in dire need of finishing skills. With 11 trips to overtime this season, the Bruins have come out with just two wins and have gone 0-5 in the shootout.

5. Carolina Hurricanes (22-12-2)

Previous rank: 10

They've been looking for a trade partner to add some punch to their offense, but the Hurricanes' search may be over. Justin Williams, who scored 23 goals and 53 points with Carolina last season, could make a return to the team in the near future and would be the perfect holiday gift.

6. New York Islanders (23-8-3)

Previous rank: 4

A peaceful contract negotiation between Mathew Barzal's agent and the notoriously stingy Lou Lamoriello is the only gift the Islanders need. The youngster's pact is up after this season and he's proven his worth again this year, leading New York with 30 points in 34 games.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins (21-11-4)

Previous rank: 8

The injury bug has hit Pittsburgh all season long. Key players Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Nick Bjugstad, and Patric Hornqvist have missed a combined 79 games so far this year. They've managed to stay competitive and in the playoff race, so good health going forward will be atop their list over the holidays.

8. Vegas Golden Knights (20-13-6)

Previous rank: 14

A big bucket of pucks, so Max Pacioretty can keep firing 'em. The Golden Knights forward is third among all skaters in shots on goal this season, and it has him on pace for a career-best 77 points.

9. Arizona Coyotes (21-13-4)

Previous rank: 9

Three games into his Coyotes tenure, Taylor Hall has shown some solid chemistry with his new teammates. Hall is the offensive player the Coyotes dearly needed, and signing him to an extension would be the gift that keeps Arizona in contention for years to come.

10. Philadelphia Flyers (20-11-5)

Previous rank: 6

Nolan Patrick hasn't suited up in a game yet this season due to a migraine disorder. The former second overall pick has been skating but hasn't practiced with the team or been cleared for contact. The 21-year-old's return to the Flyers' lineup would be a great gift to kick off the new year.

11. Toronto Maple Leafs (19-14-4)

Previous rank: 16th

Michael Hutchinson's first win of the season helped weather the storm for now, but a backup goalie is still at the top of the Christmas list for the new and improved Maple Leafs.

12. Winnipeg Jets (21-13-2)

Previous rank: 11

Dustin Byfuglien's situation has been tricky, but a gift for the Jets would be for the whole ordeal to come to a conclusion. Whether he eventually makes a return to the lineup in the new year or not, it would be great for the team to be able to move on.

13. Calgary Flames (19-14-5)

Previous rank: 12

The Flames' top trio of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Elias Lindholm spent all of last season terrorizing opposing teams but have struggled to do so this year. With the Pacific Division still completely wide open, the Flames will need them to pick things up and get going.

14. Dallas Stars (20-14-4)

Previous rank: 13

The Stars could really use a fountain of youth right now. Father Time might have caught up to Jamie Benn, Joe Pavelski, and Corey Perry, who are all performing well under their career averages.

15. Edmonton Oilers (20-15-4)

Previous rank: 7

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have combined for 121 points this season in just 39 games each. The Oilers haven't won a contest when both forwards are held pointless in just over two years, according to Sportsnet Stats. Edmonton's No. 1 gift on their wish list is another top-six forward capable of putting up points consistently.

16. Florida Panthers (18-12-5)

Previous rank: 18

The Panthers brought in Sergei Bobrovsky on a lucrative deal with the hope he would be one of the league's best netminders. With a .902 save percentage and 3.09 goals-against average so far, the best gift Florida could receive would be for the real Bob to make an appearance in the second half.

17. Tampa Bay Lightning (17-13-4)

Previous rank: 20

We're gifting the Lightning a can of gasoline and matches so they can burn the tape on a disappointing start to the year.

18. Montreal Canadiens (17-13-6)

Previous rank: 24

We're wrapping up a 2020 day planner for the Canadiens' coaching staff so some time can be dedicated to improving the club's woeful penalty kill. Operating at just a 75.45% efficiency, Montreal's allowed a power-play goal in 13 of their 19 losses.

19. Buffalo Sabres (17-13-7)

Previous rank: 25

The Sabres should be wishing for a better travel routine because their play in road games has been a big concern. Buffalo's been outscored 72 to 51 and owns a 6-10-4 record away from home.

20. Nashville Predators (17-12-6)

Previous rank: 22

The Predators' leading two point-scorers are Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis. Forward scoring has been hard to come by, with new addition Matt Duchene potting eight goals so far this season. More tallies from their top six would be a great gift for Nashville in the second half of the season.

21. Vancouver Canucks (18-15-4)

Previous rank: 15

General manager Jim Benning said recently he'd like to re-sign Jacob Markstrom and add a top-six winger before the trade deadline. Both would be tremendous gifts for a Canucks squad that's hit the skids of late.

22. Columbus Blue Jackets (16-14-6)

Previous rank: 28

A spotlight to shine on goaltender Joonas Korpisalo would be the perfect gift for the Blue Jackets. Faced with the monumental task of replacing Bobrovsky between the pipes, the 25-year-old netminder has quietly posted a 16-10-3 record with a .910 save percentage this season.

23. Minnesota Wild (17-15-5)

Previous rank: 17

A return to form for Mathew Dumba would be the ultimate gift for a Wild team desperate for his offensive capabilities. The 25-year-old blue-liner is on pace for just 22 points this season - the same total he had in 32 contests in 2018-19.

24. New York Rangers (17-14-4)

Previous rank: 21

With Hall off the market, Rangers forward Chris Kreider is arguably the top rental available leading up to this year's trade deadline. A hefty return for the versatile winger would be a welcomed gift for a New York team that appears another year or two away from playoff contention.

25. Chicago Blackhawks (15-16-6)

Previous rank: 23

Alex DeBrincat made every team that passed on him in the 2016 draft regret it last year when he potted 41 goals. The former 39th overall pick is on pace for just 18 goals this year and is set to be paid $19.2 million over the next three seasons. A gift for the Blackhawks would be for the young winger to regain his scoring touch and come out strong next season.

26. Ottawa Senators (15-18-4)

Previous rank: 27

A crystal ball would work wonders for the Senators. With pending free agents Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Duclair having career-best seasons, Ottawa will have to make the tough decision whether to trade the pair in the coming months or make them a part of the team's future.

27. Anaheim Ducks (15-18-4)

Previous rank: 26

Since Nov. 1, the Ducks rank 30th with 18 points in 23 games. A successful tank job over the remaining months of the season would be the best gift for an organization in need of a major rebuild.

28. San Jose Sharks (16-20-2)

Previous rank: 19

The Sharks desperately need the gift of better goaltending. San Jose has the third-worst goal differential in the league at minus-32, and Martin Jones has let in three or more goals in 19 of his 26 starts.

29. Los Angeles Kings (15-19-4)

Previous rank: 29

Boasting the league's 30th-ranked power play and 28th-ranked penalty kill, the Kings would benefit from receiving some much-needed special teams help on both sides of the puck.

30. New Jersey Devils (11-19-5)

Previous rank: 30

Jack Hughes' rookie season hasn't gone as planned, with the forward recording just four goals and 13 points in 32 games. With Hall gone, a nice gift for the Devils would be to see Hughes step up and show what he can bring to the table as their future star player.

31. Detroit Red Wings (9-26-3)

Previous rank: 31

The Red Wings are on pace for one of the worst seasons in the history of the league, with a current goal differential of minus-65. At this point, a draft lottery victory is the only gift Detroit needs.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a weekly interview-style podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's national hockey writer.

Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

Sportlogiq CEO and former Olympic figure skater Craig Buntin joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including:

• Transitioning from figure skating to business
• Sportlogiq's founding story and Mark Cuban
• Player/puck tracking and hockey analytics
• Practical applications of Sportlogiq data

... and more!

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the decade drawing to a close, theScore looked back and voted on 100 moments that defined the sports world in the 2010s. We're counting down every Monday in December, and below are moments 60-41.

100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 (Dec. 23) | 20-1 (Dec. 30)

60. Nole makes history Down Under 🎾

Jan. 29, 2012

There are few people who can outlast Rafael Nadal with his punishing style of play, but Novak Djokovic did just that, defeating the Spaniard 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5 to win the 2012 Australian Open men's singles title. Their five hour and 53 minute showdown was the longest Grand Slam final match (by duration) in history. The war of attrition left both players bent over and clutching their knees as they waited for tournament organizers to finish their post-match speeches. Mercifully, Nadal and Djokovic were given a much-needed seat. - Chicco Nacion

59. Manti Te'o and the mind-blowing hoax

Jan. 16, 2013

It's a story you couldn't make up if you tried. During his final season at Notre Dame, Manti Te'o told media outlets that his girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, died in September. The next January, it was discovered that Kekua actually didn't exist and the Heisman contender appeared to be a victim of an online relationship hoax by family friend Ronaiah Tuiasosopo. In an even stranger twist, suspicions arose that Te'o was involved in the hoax after the linebacker claimed he never met Kekua. This conflicted with previous accounts of the two meeting after a football game. Add countless denials from Te'o and a confession by Tuiasosopo on "Dr. Phil," and it's safe to say we likely won't see something like this again. - Mike Alessandrini

58. Phelps goes out in style 👑

Aug. 13, 2016

Michael Phelps made it clear the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games would be his final hurrah, so naturally all eyes were on him. After already taking home four gold medals and one silver in Rio, Phelps suited up for his final race - the 4x100m medley relay. Swimming the butterfly in third, Phelps ended his historic Olympic career in style by helping the USA set a new Olympic record, edging out Great Britain and Australia with a time of 3:27.95. - Brandon Maron

57. Gordon's emotional home run 😢

Sept. 26, 2016

In the Marlins' first at-bat of their first game since Jose Fernandez's tragic death one day prior, Dee Gordon - a left-handed hitter - stepped into the right-handed batter's box to honor the late pitcher, mimicking Fernandez's bat waggle and leg kick while taking a ball from Bartolo Colon. After reverting to his customary stance, the light-hitting Gordon took a 2-0 pitch deep for his first homer of the season. There's definitely crying in baseball. - Michael Bradburn

56. Carli Lloyd from WAY out 😱

July 5, 2015

Carli Lloyd's goal from midfield capped a ridiculous four-goal blitz against Japan in the 2015 World Cup final. After just 16 minutes, it was all over. Sports Illustrated correspondent Grant Wahl called it "the most remarkable quarter-hour in the history of American soccer." Lloyd, however, stood out for her sheer audacity. Having already scored twice, she wheeled away from a defender and let fly from the center circle to complete the hat-trick. She had tried the feat before and missed, but she wasn't to be denied on this day. - Anthony Lopopolo

55. Tiger ends the drought 🐅

Sept. 23, 2018

Tiger Woods hadn't won a golf tournament since 2013. His career was considered over after multiple failed comebacks and four back surgeries forced him out of the game for years. However, Tiger pulled off the unimaginable by winning the 2018 Tour Championship despite, at one point, believing he'd never play competitive golf again. Pandemonium ensued on the 18th fairway as fans flooded East Lake Golf Club to catch a glimpse of history. Little did the sports world know, Tiger's 80th PGA Tour title was only a sign of bigger things to come. - Eric Patterson

54. Exit Sandman 👋

Sept. 26, 2013

The Sandman's swan song hits you right in the feels. Mariano Rivera's 1,115th and final appearance of his Hall of Fame career was captivating. MLB's all-time saves leader exited the game after his longtime teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte pulled him with two outs in the ninth. Rivera was overcome with emotion, and there wasn't a single dry eye in Yankee Stadium. - Tom Ruminski

53. Kane's bizarre Cup winner 🏆

June 6, 2010

Patrick Kane had already begun hugging his goalie in celebration before anyone knew what on earth was going on. The Blackhawks winger deceived Michael Leighton with a seemingly harmless shot and left a Flyers crowd in utter shock as he ended a 47-year championship drought for his team while kick-starting his reputation as one of the most clutch playoff performers in NHL history. - Sean O'Leary

52. Dirk slays the Big Three

June 12, 2011

Dirk Nowitzki entered the 2011 Finals with a reputation for choking. His Mavs blew a 2-0 Finals lead against the Heat in 2006, followed by a first-round loss to the No. 8 seed "We Believe" Warriors in 2007. Facing the "Heatles" - LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh - Dirk was expected to be denied his maiden title yet again. But 2011 was different, as the Mavericks proved greater than the sum of their parts. Dirk captured Finals MVP honors and, at long last, a ring, made even more meaningful by his commitment to making it work in Dallas. - Andrew Joe Potter

51. Baylor fires Briles amid scandal

May 26, 2016

On the field, Art Briles built Baylor's football program into a perennial powerhouse. But off it, the team was mired in controversy. Briles was fired in 2016 after a review of the university's handling of multiple sexual assault allegations, several of which were made against football players. Briles was found to have failed to adequately respond to the allegations against his players, which also led to the school's president and athletic director being dismissed. - Michael McClymont

50. Khabib vs. McGregor chaos 👊

Oct. 6, 2018

After months of trash talk, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor finally met in the Octagon at UFC 229. Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor in the fourth round, but that didn't mark the end of the night for the rivals. After the referee stopped the fight, Nurmagomedov jumped over the cage to confront McGregor's teammate Dillon Danis. An all-out brawl ensued in the Octagon as McGregor punched one of Nurmagomedov's teammates and two others fought back against the Irishman. The Nurmagomedov-McGregor rivalry had already escalated earlier that year when McGregor attacked a bus in Brooklyn before UFC 223. - Nick Baldwin

49. MadBum is untouchable 🔥

Oct. 29, 2014

The Giants cruised to championships during their previous two World Series trips, so this was uncharted territory for baseball's most recent dynasty. In 2014, the Royals forced Game 7 in their home park, and the Giants' bullpen was the team's worst ever. Enter Madison Bumgarner, after earning two wins earlier in the series, including a complete-game effort two days prior in Game 5. The lefty came on in relief, tossing five shutout frames - and retiring 13 straight hitters at one point - to clinch the title. Over an unprecedented 52 2/3 innings that postseason, MadBum authored an otherworldly 1.03 ERA. - Bradburn

48. Pass interference?!?! 😠

Jan. 20, 2019

Saints fans hoped to see their team beat the Rams and return to the Super Bowl. With less than two minutes remaining, Drew Brees faced a third-and-10 at Los Angeles' 13-yard line, and a first down would've given New Orleans the chance to run the clock out and attempt a likely game-winning field goal. But a flag didn't fly following Brees' incomplete pass attempt to Tommylee Lewis, despite cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman clearly committing defensive pass interference. After the Saints kicked a field goal, enough time remained in regulation for the Rams to respond with their own field goal to send the game to overtime, when New Orleans would eventually lose. During the following offseason, the NFL agreed to make all pass interference situations reviewable. - Caio Miari

47. The year of Zion 💪

2018-2019

Zion Williamson's dunks made him a viral sensation before he stepped foot on Duke's campus, but the hype surrounding the future No. 1 pick kicked into overdrive after a Wooden Award-winning campaign. Williamson's combination of speed and power was almost unheard of for players his size. However, his performances were just part of the conversation. Williamson reignited the debate over paying collegiate athletes after his shoe busted open during a nationally televised game, causing a knee sprain. His long-term durability has subsequently been one of the NBA's early-season headlines. - Nacion

46. Murray wins gold on Wimbledon's lawn 🏅

Aug. 5, 2012

Weeks earlier, Roger Federer prevented a national celebration, defeating Andy Murray in the Wimbledon final. It was fair to wonder if Murray would ever win on the biggest stage. He had made four Grand Slam finals, but lost each time. When he returned to Wimbledon for the 2012 London Games, the Scot carved a path to the final where, once again, Federer waited. This time Murray prevailed, starting the most important chapter of his career. Great Britain's favorite son would go on to win three majors, another Olympic gold medal, and become No. 1 in the world. - Devang Desai

45. Lights out at the Super Bowl 🔦

Feb. 3, 2013

What was billed as the "Harbaugh Bowl" will be remembered as the "Blackout Bowl" instead, after the power went out in half the Superdome, causing a 34-minute delay smack dab in the middle of Super Bowl XLVII. The Ravens had built a 28-6 lead that looked insurmountable, but after the most unexpected of momentum shifts, the 49ers rattled off 17 straight points to make a game of it. Baltimore held on for the win, however, and discussions immediately turned to whether halftime performer Beyonce is too big an icon for one stadium. - McClymont

44. LeBron gets on the board ☝️

June 21, 2012

In 2010, "The Decision" took LeBron James' talents to South Beach, and it's hard to argue with the results. After falling short of a championship in Cleveland, the NBA's best player joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, where they appeared in four straight Finals. One year after his forgetful performance in a Finals loss to the Mavericks in 2011, James ended his run of title misses. The King was otherworldly during those playoffs, averaging 30.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. He was unanimously voted Finals MVP and led the Heat to another title the following year. - Bryan Mcwilliam

43. Rapinoe shines brightest 🌟

Summer 2019

Few people, let alone athletes, captured our collective consciousness in 2019 like Megan Rapinoe. The outspoken American star, with her pink hair and quick wit, was spellbinding. On the pitch, she powered the USWNT to another World Cup title, scoring crucial goals and crafting instantly iconic celebrations before earning every individual accolade the soccer world has to offer. Off the field, the unabashedly gay advocate became the face of multiple movements - gender equality chief among them - while also locking horns with Donald Trump. Part player and part politician, Rapinoe was an indestructible tour de force this year. - Gianluca Nesci

42. Big Papi puts Boston on his back

October 2013

Months after telling the Fenway faithful "This is our f------ city" following the Boston Marathon bombing, David Ortiz put together one of the most dominant postseasons in the sport's history. No single moment from the 2013 World Series can show just how unreal Big Papi was, because, well, he owned everyone. The slugger went 11-for-16 with two homers and eight walks - including three free passes in the title-clinching Game 6 - because pitchers were simply done facing him. - Bradburn

41. Ray Allen ... BAAANG! 💥

June 18, 2013

Ray Allen's clutch three in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals saved more than just the Miami Heat's season, it arguably saved LeBron James' legacy. James had already been labeled as a choke artist and turned the ball over twice in the game's final minute. Another NBA Finals loss would've been LeBron's second in three years and third overall in four career appearances. With one fluid motion, Allen altered history. The Heat eventually prevailed in overtime, while the "Heatles" era officially became a success when Miami won its second straight title two days later. - Nacion

100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 (Dec. 23) | 20-1 (Dec. 30)

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a weekly NHL podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's national hockey writer.

Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

NBC analyst and former NHLer Patrick Sharp joins this week's show to discuss a variety of decade-closing topics, including:

• The 2009-10 Chicago Blackhawks, the team of the decade
• The passing of the torch between Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid
• The uniqueness of ex-teammate Dustin Byfuglien
• Carey Price and other goalies who defined the 2010s

...and more!

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the sixth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for 2019-20. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, we identify one standout statistic from each team so far this season.

1. Washington Capitals (22-4-5)

Previous rank: 2

The NHL's best team comes with no shortage of notable numbers, but the most staggering statistic is that the Capitals have somehow gone 14-2-1 on the road.

2. Boston Bruins (20-4-6)

Previous rank: 3

A loss to the Avalanche on Saturday was the Bruins' first home defeat of the season in regulation. More amazingly, it was the first home loss in regulation by any of the four major Boston-area sports teams since the Red Sox fell to the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 28.

3. Colorado Avalanche (19-8-2)

Previous rank: 10

Nathan MacKinnon's 17-point lead over teammate Cale Makar marks the largest gap between any club's top two scorers. Despite fellow stars Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog missing extended time due to injuries, MacKinnon's MVP-level play has kept the Avs near the top of the standings.

4. New York Islanders (19-7-2)

Previous rank: 1

The Islanders have enjoyed tremendous success in tight contests. They lead the NHL with a .769 winning percentage in one-goal games.

5. St. Louis Blues (18-7-6)

Previous rank: 5

The Blues have taken care of business against division rivals, going 6-1-1 versus Central Division opponents. Their only losses came in matchups with the Nashville Predators.

6. Philadelphia Flyers (17-8-5)

Previous rank: 17

Despite three-on-three overtime usually yielding a winner, the Flyers have found themselves in a league-high eight shootouts through 30 games.

7. Edmonton Oilers (18-10-4)

Previous rank: 7

After owning the NHL's second-worst penalty kill in 2018-19 (74.8%), the Oilers boast the league's second-best rate this season with a stellar 87% mark.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins (17-9-4)

Previous rank: 13

Despite going without Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and now Sidney Crosby for long stretches, the Penguins lead the NHL with a 55.81 rate of expected goals for and feature the league's third-best goals for rate of 57.48.

9. Arizona Coyotes (18-10-4)

Previous rank: 7

While many expected Darcy Kuemper to build on his impressive 2018-19 campaign, few figured he'd be this good. The Coyotes netminder leads all NHL goalies who've made at least 12 appearances with an incredible .935 save percentage.

10. Carolina Hurricanes (18-11-1)

Previous rank: 9

These "bunch of jerks" are the NHL's possession darlings. Carolina owns a league-best 54.67 Corsi For rating at five-on-five.

11. Winnipeg Jets (18-10-2)

Previous rank: 8

The Jets have remained competitive despite icing one of the NHL's worst power plays. Winnipeg has converted just 15.4% of its opportunities with the man advantage, the league's fifth-worst rate.

12. Calgary Flames (15-12-4)

Previous rank: 26

Following the Bill Peters mess, which resulted in his resignation, the Flames have gone 4-0-0 under interim head coach Geoff Ward.

13. Dallas Stars (17-11-3)

Previous rank: 4

Dallas' four highest-paid players (Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Joe Pavelski, and Alexander Radulov) have scored just 27 goals this season. With a combined annual cap hit of $32.6 million devoted to them, the Stars have paid more than $1.2 million per goal from that quartet so far this season.

14. Vegas Golden Knights (15-12-5)

Previous rank: 20

Have doctors found a cure for the Vegas flu? The Golden Knights were dominant at T-Mobile Arena during their first two years of existence, but they're just 7-6-3 at home this season compared to 8-6-2 on the road.

15. Vancouver Canucks (15-11-4)

Previous rank: 16

Is it crazy to say the 2019-20 Canucks are the best offensive team the franchise has featured in the last 10 years? Considering the club has scored 103 goals to date - its highest total of the decade through 30 games - it's starting to look that way.

16. Toronto Maple Leafs (14-13-4)

Previous rank: 18

The Maple Leafs are 14-7-3 when Frederik Andersen starts and 0-6-1 when he doesn't. Toronto desperately needs a quality backup goalie.

17. Minnesota Wild (14-12-4)

Previous rank: 24

Bruce Boudreau is viewed as an offensive-minded coach, but he doesn't get enough credit for his team's defensive structure. The Wild have surrendered the fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five.

18. Florida Panthers (15-9-5)

Previous rank: 12

Is Sergei Bobrovsky feeling the pressure? His save percentage is currently 20 points lower than it was last season after he signed a seven-year, $70-million contract with the Panthers in the offseason. If Bobrovsky can regain his form, look out for Florida.

19. San Jose Sharks (15-15-2)

Previous rank: 11

It's been a trying season in the Bay Area. On the bright side, the Sharks' penalty kill is operating at a league-best 89.9% clip.

20. Tampa Bay Lightning (14-10-3)

Previous rank: 15

The NHL features some weird scheduling quirks. To date, the Lightning have played a league-low 27 games, while 23 other teams have already played at least 30.

21. New York Rangers (15-11-3)

Previous rank: 23

The Rangers have torched opponents for a league-leading six shorthanded goals after scoring just seven of them in 2018-19. However, the club's penalty kill has clicked at a subpar rate of 77.5%, which suggests New York may be wise to ease up on the aggression when shorthanded.

22. Nashville Predators (13-10-5)

Previous rank: 22

Goaltending has been the Achilles' heel of the Predators this season, as Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros have combined for an .895 save percentage and a 3.01 goals-against average. At this rate, Nashville will finish in the bottom half of the league in goals against for the first time since 2013-14.

23. Chicago Blackhawks (12-12-6)

Previous rank: 21

Despite boasting some of the best shootout specialists of all time in Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the Blackhawks are 0-5 in the skills competition this season. Goaltender Robin Lehner is having a fantastic campaign, but he'll be the first to tell you that shootouts aren't his cup of tea. Considering Chicago's spot in the standings, those valuable extra points could be the difference between making the playoffs and hitting the links early.

24. Montreal Canadiens (13-11-6)

Previous rank: 14

The Canadiens have lost 17 games this year, but they've held a lead in more than half of them (nine). The Habs have no issues putting the puck in the net, but they'll miss the playoffs for a third straight year if they can't clean up their defensive issues.

25. Buffalo Sabres (14-11-6)

Previous rank: 27

The first 40 minutes have been vital for the Sabres this season. Buffalo is a perfect 12-0 when leading after two periods but has yet to win a game when trailing entering the final frame.

26. Anaheim Ducks (12-14-4)

Previous rank: 29

The Ducks own one of the most inexplicable stats of the season. The club has been outshot in each of its 12 victories (12-4-1) but has yet to pick up a win when outshooting its opponent (0-9-3).

27. Ottawa Senators (12-17-1)

Previous rank: 19

We knew this young Senators team would struggle, but nine power-play goals through 30 contests is just plain ugly.

28. Columbus Blue Jackets (11-14-4)

Previous rank: 25

Boy, do the Blue Jackets ever miss Artemi Panarin. Through 29 games, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Gustav Nyquist share the team lead in points with 18, making Columbus the only squad in the league without a 20-point producer.

29. Los Angeles Kings (11-18-2)

Previous rank: 28

The Kings have recorded just two road victories this season, and they've lost 11 straight away from home. Considering eight of L.A.'s next 11 games will come on the road, this team will need to figure out a way to win without the bright lights of Staples Center. Otherwise, its season will be over.

30. New Jersey Devils (9-15-5)

Previous rank: 30

The Devils have received an NHL-low 42 points from their defensemen. That's less than Norris Trophy favorite John Carlson has recorded on his own. P.K. Subban, Sami Vatanen, Damon Severson, and Will Butcher are all talented offensive players, so perhaps interim head coach Alain Nasreddine should put his blue-liners in more scoring situations.

31. Detroit Red Wings (7-21-3)

Previous rank: 31

The rebuilding Red Wings are finding themselves on the wrong side of history. Jeff Blashill's club has dropped 11 straight games, marking the franchise's longest losing streak since 1981-82.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the decade drawing to a close, theScore looked back and voted on 100 moments that defined the sports world in the 2010s. We're counting down every Monday in December, and below are moments 80-61.

100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 (Dec. 16) | 40-21 (Dec. 23) | 20-1 (Dec. 30)

80. It was 4-1 😲

May 13, 2013

It's one of the greatest implosions of all time. The phrase "It was 4-1" was heard around the hockey world. The Toronto Maple Leafs blew a three-goal lead over the Boston Bruins in the third period of Game 7 and lost in overtime. The Leafs were eliminated from their first playoff appearance in eight years in horrific fashion, marking the start of a modern, albeit one-sided, rivalry: Toronto's dropped two more playoff series to the Bruins since, both in seven games. - Kayla Douglas

79. Ibra's wonder goal vs. England 🇸🇪

Nov. 14, 2012

Derided for his poor record against English clubs in the Champions League, Zlatan Ibrahimovic answered his critics by scoring one of the most spectacular goals of the decade. The towering Swede actually put four past England in that memorable friendly, but it's the last one that was seen and heard around the world. An overhead kick from some 30 yards out, it soared into the net. "Last night, the world woke up to the mighty Zlatan," wrote English pundit Jamie Redknapp. - Anthony Lopopolo

78. Did Dez catch it? 🙅

Jan. 11, 2015

One of the NFL's all-time most controversial calls occurred with under five minutes left in an NFC divisional-round game. Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant leaped over Packers cornerback Sam Shields and made what appeared to be a spectacular grab on fourth down. However, following a review, officials determined Bryant failed to complete the catch "process," as the ball squirted loose when he hit the ground. The throw was ruled incomplete, and Dallas was eliminated. - Mike Alessandrini

77. Saints win Super Bowl XLIV 🏈

Feb. 7, 2010

The Saints needed a spark while trailing the powerhouse Colts to start the second half of Super Bowl XLIV, and head coach Sean Payton delivered with one of the boldest decisions in NFL history: "Ambush," an onside kick. Miraculously, his master plan worked, and New Orleans was able to take control of the game from there. Peyton Manning was still lurking, though, ready to orchestrate another signature comeback, until Tracy Porter got the best of him to polish off the Saints' dream season. - Sean O'Leary

76. Women's gold-medal hockey game in Sochi 🥇

Feb. 21, 2014

The Canada-USA women's rivalry was at its finest in Sochi. The Americans seemed poised to knock Canada off its long-held Olympic perch, holding a 2-0 lead with three minutes to go. But Brianne Jenner scored to cut the lead in half, then the U.S.'s empty-net dagger attempt somehow clanked iron. Marie Philip-Poulin took over from there, burying the equalizer and the overtime winner to clinch Canada's fourth consecutive gold medal. - O'Leary

75. Rodgers' Hail Mary TD 🙏

Jan. 16, 2016

When Aaron Rodgers asks the Football Gods for a miracle, his prayer is answered more often than not. The quarterback's divisional-round Hail Mary against the Arizona Cardinals - his second of the 2015 season after an unreal play versus the Detroit Lions in Week 13 - didn't lead to a Packers win, but it will forever be held up as one of the NFL's best-ever throws. Only a few QBs to walk this Earth could complete the perfect 61-yard heave that Rodgers launched while falling to his left. - Jack Browne

74. Roll Tide 🌊

Jan. 8, 2018

Alabama went to the locker room down 13 points with quarterback Jalen Hurts playing his worst game of the season. Facing an unfamiliar situation, head coach Nick Saban benched Hurts for then-freshman Tua Tagovailoa in the second half. That decision rewrote the 2018 CFP National Championship's final script, as Tagovailoa led the Crimson Tide to 20 second-half points, and he later tossed a 41-yard walk-off touchdown to DeVonta Smith in overtime to complete the 26-23 comeback victory over Georgia. - Caio Miari

73. Jeter says goodbye in iconic fashion 😘

Sept. 25, 2014

"Now batting for the Yankees. No. 2. Derek Jeter." The legendary introduction from late PA announcer Bob Sheppard resonated through Yankee Stadium one last time when Jeter stepped to the plate for his final at-bat at home. After the Orioles tied the game with three runs in the ninth inning, The Captain stroked a walk-off single through the first-base side to score pinch-runner Antoan Richardson. The game-winner was one of 3,465 hits Jeter collected during what will soon be announced as a Hall of Fame career. - Bryan Mcwilliam

72. Deshaun dethrones 'Bama 🏆

Jan. 9, 2017

One year after Alabama defeated Clemson and celebrated its fourth national championship in seven years, Deshaun Watson brought the Tigers to the Crimson Tide's level. Clemson stormed back after falling behind 14-0, with Watson producing one of the greatest championship-game performances of all time (420 passing yards and 43 rushing yards). Trailing 31-28 with six seconds to go and facing a first-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Watson rolled to his right and found an open Hunter Renfrow for the game-winning score. We could look back on that night as an evening when one dynasty replaced another. - Mark Cooper

71. The Sherman Swat 🙋

Jan. 19, 2014

The NFL identifies it as one of the league's greatest game-winning plays. The "Swat heard around the world" propelled the Seahawks to the Super Bowl and the first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. Richard Sherman, the Legion of Boom's leader, backed up his brash talk with flashy play, then produced an all-time great postgame interview. "I'm the best corner in the game," he said. "When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you gon' get!" - Michael McClymont

70. Barcelona's unbelievable comeback 💥

March 8, 2017

After winning the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona 4-0, Paris Saint-Germain headed to the Catalan capital for the reverse fixture with a near-insurmountable aggregate advantage. Players joked, quarterfinal plans were made, and the media painted Barcelona as a club in decline. What could go wrong? Spoiler alert: Everything. Barcelona scored thrice in the final minutes to cement La Remontada (The Comeback) and snatch victory courtesy of a 6-5 aggregate win. - Michael J. Chandler

69. Miggy wins Triple Crown 👑

Oct. 3, 2012

The Detroit Tigers slugger became only the 15th hitter in baseball history to earn the Triple Crown and the first since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967. Cabrera led the American League with a .330 batting average, 44 home runs, and 139 RBIs during his historic campaign. "That'll probably be the greatest thing that I'll ever see in my career," teammate Alex Avila told The New York Times. Cabrera's otherworldly performance culminated in him winning the first of back-to-back AL MVP Awards. - Tom Ruminski

68. FIFA bribery scandal 💰

May 2015-present

FIFA was in crisis mode ahead of its annual meeting in 2015 as U.S. federal prosecutors raided a luxury hotel in Zurich and arrested several executives of the world football governing body on corruption charges. Among the various charges, the FIFA officials were accused of accepting bribes related to bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The fallout of the investigation eventually ended Sepp Blatter's reign as FIFA president; the disgraced Swiss international was banned from football-related activities for eight years the following December. - Gordon Brunt

67. NCAAF playoff signals end of the BCS

June 26, 2012

Resentment for the BCS reached a fever pitch in 2011 after Alabama edged Oklahoma State for No. 2 in the final ranking, turning the national championship game into a rematch between LSU and the Crimson Tide. Less than six months after the title game, conference commissioners and university presidents came together in Washington to present a new format: the four-team College Football Playoff. It replaced the BCS formula, which combined polls and computer rankings, with a 13-person committee that watched the games. But it couldn't get rid of the fierce debates every November and December. - Cooper

66. Chloe Kim wins halfpipe gold 🏂

Feb. 13, 2018

Chloe Kim was under immense pressure to win the women's halfpipe in her Olympic debut - at the age of 17, she was already a four-time Winter X Games winner. Kim's parents were originally from South Korea and many family members - including her grandmother - had never seen the American snowboarder compete live. But no moment was too big for her. Kim had wrapped up the gold medal before her final run, and she was tweeting about being "hangry" prior to becoming the youngest woman to land back-to-back 1080s at a Winter Games. - Chicco Nacion

65. Andrew Luck's shock retirement 😱

Aug. 24, 2019

The reigning Comeback Player of the Year stood on the Indianapolis sideline during a preseason game wearing street clothes and a smile, unaware that his name was trending worldwide. As rumblings inside Lucas Oil Stadium grew, Luck realized the news was out. Colts fans booed as the game ended. Afterward, the former No. 1 pick confirmed he was walking away from football at 29 due to injury-related exhaustion. "I'm in pain," he said. "Still in pain." - Alex Chippin

64. 'I'm coming home,' LeBron announces 🏠

July 11, 2014

There are scoops, and then there are revelations, like the one then-Sports Illustrated writer Lee Jenkins landed regarding LeBron James' 2014 free agency. James shocked the world with an open letter announcing he was leaving the Heat to go home to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The news was a bombshell not only because his choice hadn't been definitively reported, but because it was a drastic contrast to James' controversially televised decision four years prior. - Jonathan Soveta

63. Gotze's goal, Messi's heartbreak ⚽💔

July 13, 2014

Poor Leo Messi. Mario Gotze was the hero of the hour at the Maracana - his exquisite extra-time goal that secured the 2014 World Cup for Germany is the type of moment dreams are made of - but it was impossible not to focus on a crestfallen Messi at the final whistle. The cameras certainly did. His search for a major international title, and its accompanying status as a beloved figure in Argentina, continues. Adding to the cruelty, the Argentines went on to suffer heartbreaking defeats in successive Copa America finals over the next two years. - Gianluca Nesci

62. Russia busted for doping 💉

July 18, 2016

In what the World Anti-Doping Agency called "a shocking and unprecedented attack on the integrity of sport and on the Olympic Games," Russia - bent on dominating the Sochi Games in 2014 - planned and carried out a state-sponsored doping program that would include 15 medal winners. Whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov implicated the FSB and just about every other major Russian government entity, and his testimony eventually led to those famous "Olympic Athletes from Russia" uniforms meekly worn in PyeongChang. - Devang Desai

61. Rousey knocked out 👊

Nov. 14, 2015

With one second-round kick, the unstoppable freight train known as Ronda Rousey came to a screeching halt at UFC 193. The brutal kick to the neck/head of the champion was delivered by 7-1 underdog Holly Holm, producing one of mixed martial arts' biggest upsets. Rousey was in the midst of a three-year reign as bantamweight champion, and she couldn't bounce back from the gut-wrenching loss. She left MMA to become a professional wrestler two years later. - Mcwilliam

100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 (Dec. 16) | 40-21 (Dec. 23) | 20-1 (Dec. 30)

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a weekly NHL podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's national hockey writer.

Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

Canadian Hockey League president Dan MacKenzie joins this week's show to discuss a variety of junior hockey topics, including:

• Why MacKenzie left the NBA for the CHL
• Lessons from David Stern and Adam Silver
• CHL's role in helping shape hockey culture
• Player compensation, class-action lawsuits

...and more!

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the decade drawing to a close, theScore looked back and voted on 100 moments that defined the sports world in the 2010s. Below are moments 100-81, and we're counting down by 20 every Monday in December.

100-81 | 80-61 (Dec. 9) | 60-41 (Dec. 16) | 40-21 (Dec. 23) | 20-1 (Dec. 30)

100. Butt Fumble! 🍑🏈

Nov. 12, 2012

This decade treated us to perhaps the greatest blooper in NFL history. On Thanksgiving Day 2012, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez missed the handoff to his running back, turned to run up field - and ran facemask first into his right guard's rear. The impact forced a fumble, which the Patriots returned for a touchdown. The "butt fumble" was born that night, and Sanchez's career was never the same. - Michael McClymont

99. Iceland stuns England at Euros 😱

June 27, 2016

During its maiden participation in a major tournament, Iceland scored a stoppage-time winner against Austria to secure second place in its group, setting the scene for a dream date with England in the last 16. Not even Wayne Rooney's fourth-minute penalty could dampen Iceland's spirits. Ragnar Sigurdsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson spearheaded a remarkably quick turnaround, aided by Joe Hart's gaffe, and Iceland promptly slammed the door shut to become the smallest nation to ever win a knockout stage match at the tournament. - Alex Moretto

98. UConn goes 40-0 🏆

April 8, 2014

UConn had four undefeated seasons prior to 2013-14, but its 40-0 campaign that year was perhaps the most significant. The Huskies destroyed a 37-0 Notre Dame squad by 21 points in the national championship to give the school and head coach Geno Auriemma a record ninth Division I crown. UConn's victory also completed a sweep of the men's and women's title games, a decade after the Huskies became the only school to accomplish the feat. - Chicco Nacion

97. Mahomes vs. Mayfield 🎆

Oct. 22, 2016

A scene out of a video game is the only proper way to describe the spectacle in Lubbock when Patrick Mahomes and Texas Tech hosted Oklahoma and Baker Mayfield during the 2016 season. A shootout was expected, but by the time the dust cleared, few could believe the 66-59 tally the scoreboard showed. Mahomes set new FBS records with 819 yards of total offense and 734 yards passing ... and somehow lost the contest! Mayfield was up for the task against his former school, tossing seven touchdowns as the two teams combined for 1,279 passing yards, the most ever in a college football game. - Dane Belbeck

96. MLB's Biogenesis scandal 💉

2013

Biogenesis proved that despite implementing drug testing, baseball was far from clean. This steroid scandal and investigation involving Miami trainer Anthony Bosch led to 13 players, including superstars Nelson Cruz, Ryan Braun, and Alex Rodriguez, receiving suspensions in the middle of the 2013 season. Most of the bans were for 50 games, but A-Rod - who was at the center of it all - received 211 games and missed all of 2014 after his appeal. Many stars involved had their reputations damaged almost beyond repair - and in a lot of ways, baseball still hasn't recovered. - Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb

95. Linsanity! 💥

Feb. 2012

The sports world ground to a halt in February 2012 as a relatively unimposing Ivy Leaguer of Taiwanese descent set the NBA on fire. After a groin injury sidelined Carmelo Anthony, Jeremy Lin took center stage for the New York Knicks, averaging 24.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 2.4 steals from Feb. 4-20. Lin's spectacular run included a 38-point deluge against Kobe Bryant's Lakers and a game-winner to sink the Raptors. In its most distilled form, Linsanity lasted all of 10 games, but it served as a crucial reminder that talent and opportunity can trump preconceptions any day. - Andrew Potter

94. England wins insane Cricket World Cup final 😲

July 14, 2019

For a sport often derided as boring, the 2019 Cricket World Cup final served as a powerful rebuttal. With England and New Zealand tied with 241 runs at the end of the match, a Super Over was required. Not everyone at Lord’s in London that day knew exactly what a Super Over entailed, but what it produced was one of the most dramatic moments in sporting history. Ben Stokes will not have to pay for a meal for the rest of his life. - Devang Desai

93. Cavs-Warriors, Game 1, 2018 Finals 😵

May 31, 2018

Though they entered the 2018 NBA Finals as underdogs to the Warriors, the Cavaliers found themselves on the verge of a Game 1 road win thanks to a Herculean effort from LeBron James. The momentum was undone, however, when JR Smith wasted a potential game-winning possession with a career-defining blunder. The Warriors emerged victorious in overtime en route to a four-game sweep, and LeBron left for the Lakers that summer, bringing his second stint in Cleveland to its underwhelming conclusion. - Potter

92. Angels throw no-hitter after Skaggs' death

July 12, 2019

On a night that saw the entire Angels roster don No. 45 to honor Tyler Skaggs, pitchers Taylor Cole and Felix Pena combined to throw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners. After completing the 11th no-no in franchise history, Angels players removed their No. 45 jerseys, laid them on the mound, and shared a moment of silence for their teammate, who died suddenly two weeks earlier. Skaggs was 27. - Bryan Mcwilliam

91. Klay goes off 🔥🔥🔥

Jan. 23, 2015

Nothing could have prepared us for Klay Thompson's historic third-quarter performance on a mid-January night. The sharpshooter converted all 13 of his field-goal attempts, including nine 3-pointers, during the jaw-dropping 12-minute stretch. The moment perfectly encapsulated the dynastic Warriors' ability to string together a ton of points at a moment's notice. - Josh Weinstein

90. GOAT USA basketball squad? 🇺🇸

August 2012

USA Basketball boasted one of its greatest squads ever for the 2012 Olympic Games, assembling a roster that featured not only a prime LeBron James but also the Thunder's then-dynastic trio of James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant, who were all still in their early 20s. Unsurprisingly, they claimed gold while steamrolling the competition, including a record-breaking 156-73 rout of Nigeria in the opening round. The tournament also marked James' last appearance with Team USA. - Jonathan Soveta

89. Bribery scandal rocks college basketball

Sept. 26, 2017

"The dark underbelly of college basketball" was exposed in September 2017, when numerous Division I coaches at Power 5 conferences and a marketing executive at Adidas were arrested for bribery and other offenses, further bringing to light compensation issues that have dogged the NCAA as its amateurism rules have been challenged. - Navin Vaswani

88. Ruiz stuns Joshua 🥊

June 2, 2019

Andy Ruiz didn't have a chance. Not against Anthony Joshua, the undefeated world heavyweight champion. But to everyone's surprise, one of the most monumental upsets in boxing history took place at Madison Square Garden in early June. The fight was called in the seventh round after Joshua hit the canvas multiple times, making Ruiz the first Mexican heavyweight world champion. - Vaswani

87. Matthews' dazzling debut 🏒

Oct. 12, 2016

The first one was off a scramble, nine minutes into his career. Not bad. But following the second one, after Auston Matthews dangled a couple of Senators at the blue line and in the neutral zone, and then abused Erik Karlsson in a way Karlsson simply doesn't get abused, you knew: This kid, from Arizona, was something special. Matthews finished with four goals in his dream NHL and Maple Leafs debut. He's been scoring ever since. - Vaswani

86. Federer wins Down Under 🎾

Jan. 29, 2017

In a career full of historic achievements, this was perhaps the most significant. After an injury layoff led pundits and fans alike to question if he'd ever return to the top of the sport, Roger Federer was not supposed to be in the Australian Open final. He was not supposed to beat Rafael Nadal, his frequent tormentor and greatest rival. Defying the odds, Federer captured his 18th slam, proving once again that class is permanent. - Desai

85. Minneapolis Miracle 🙌

Jan. 14, 2018

When Saints kicker Wil Lutz connected on a 43-yard field goal to put New Orleans up 24-23 with 25 seconds left in their 2017 NFC divisional-round game, the Vikings and their fans knew they needed a miracle. With 10 seconds remaning, "Buffalo Right, Seven Heaven" was called from the sideline, and Case Keenum found Stefon Diggs. After Saints free safety Marcus Williams missed on his tackle attempt, Diggs broke free to the endzone, and the "Minneapolis Miracle" was born. - Jose Taboada

84. Mr. Triple-Double 🏀🏀🏀

April 12, 2017

No one ushered in our infatuation with triple-doubles over the past decade more than Russell Westbrook. The enigmatic floor general became the first player since Oscar Robertson in the 1961-62 campaign to average a triple-double over the course of a full season. - Weinstein

83. Canada-USA Olympic semifinal ⚽

Aug. 6, 2012

Historic Old Trafford was the stage for one of the greatest women's soccer matches ever played. Canadian legend Christine Sinclair scored three times, giving her side a lead each time. U.S. star Megan Rapinoe, who became a cultural icon at the 2019 World Cup, scored twice. Abby Wambach evened the score at 3-3 on a penalty kick after a series of controversial calls against Canada. After a half hour of extra time, Alex Morgan sealed the win in the third minute of added time to send the U.S. to the final. - Guy Spurrier

82. Fail Mary 🤦

Sept. 24, 2012

Criticism of the replacement officials had been mounting for weeks, but it reached new levels at the end of Monday Night Football in Seattle. When the confused temps erroneously awarded the Seahawks a game-winning touchdown, Roger Goodell knew the referee lockout had to end. Two days later, the commissioner struck a deal with the NFL Referees Association. The regular zebras returned the following Sunday, and fans across the country welcomed them back with raucous ovations. - Alex Chippin

81. Tebow-mania

2011-2012

The quintessential Schrodinger's quarterback, Tim Tebow appeared either unfit for pro football or the sport's savior depending on when you tuned in during his 2011 run as the Broncos' starter. The famously devout lefty hit historic statistical lows early in games, yet managed to lead Denver to six straight wins - four via late comeback - in a stretch that culminated in Demaryius Thomas's 80-yard overtime touchdown in the playoffs. Were it not for the signing of universally beloved Peyton Manning as his replacement, fans in Denver would still argue over what might have been with Tebow. - David P. Woods

100-81 | 80-61 (Dec. 9) | 60-41 (Dec. 16) | 40-21 (Dec. 23) | 20-1 (Dec. 30)

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a weekly NHL podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's national hockey writer.

Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

Brock McGillis, the first openly gay pro hockey player, joins this week's show to discuss a variety of timely topics, including:

• Are we witnessing the start of a cultural change in hockey?
• Hockey workplace vs. real-world workplace
• When will we see the first openly gay NHLer?
• What life's been like since coming out in 2016

... and more!

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the fifth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for 2019-20. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, we identify each team's most valuable player at the quarter mark of the season.

1. New York Islanders (16-3-2)

Previous rank: 4

Thomas Greiss is out to prove that his success in 2018-19 was no fluke. The German netminder has been lights out for the Islanders once again this season, posting a 9-1-0 record with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage.

2. Washington Capitals (16-4-5)

John Carlson has his eye on the Norris Trophy this season, and it's safe to say he has a pretty good chance thanks to eight goals and 28 assists through 25 games.

Previous rank: 1

3. Boston Bruins (15-3-5)

Previous rank: 3

David Pastrnak's all-world scoring has been mesmerizing, but it's hard to deny Brad Marchand the title of most valuable Bruins player. The veteran forward leads the team in points, even-strength goals, and game-winning goals. He also ranks first among Boston forwards in ice time and is called upon in all situations.

4. Dallas Stars (14-8-2)

Previous rank: 16

Sophomore blue-liner Miro Heiskanen has been a key piece of the Stars' recent turnaround, and he's only getting better. The 20-year-old ranks second on Dallas with 17 points and logs almost 25 minutes per night.

5. St. Louis Blues (14-5-5)

Previous rank: 2

Several forwards have stepped up in the wake of Vladimir Tarasenko's injury, but Alex Pietrangelo has been the Blues' most important player. The 29-year-old captain is on pace for a career-best 64 points and has logged a team-high 24:04 of ice time per game.

6. Edmonton Oilers (16-7-3)

Previous rank: 6

Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are the top two scorers in the NHL by a considerable margin, so we have to hand out co-MVP honors to the Oilers' unstoppable duo.

7. Arizona Coyotes (14-8-3)

Previous rank: 18

Darcy Kuemper has emerged as one of the game's best netminders this season following a breakout campaign in 2018-19. The 6-foot-5 puck-stopper boasts a league-best 1.98 goals-against average and his elite play has helped take a young Coyotes squad to the next level.

8. Winnipeg Jets (14-9-1)

Previous rank: 22

Connor Hellebuyck has managed an incredible turnaround so far this year, giving the Jets a real chance to win every night with a .928 save percentage in 19 starts.

9. Colorado Avalanche (13-8-2)

Previous rank: 5

With points in 19 of 23 contests, including a 13-game streak to start the campaign, Nathan MacKinnon has been the pulse of an Avalanche team that keeps on rolling despite the absences of Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen.

10. Carolina Hurricanes (15-8-1)

Previous rank: 20

Dougie Hamilton has been a force for the Hurricanes, leading all NHL defensemen with 10 goals to go with 15 assists in 24 games. The 26-year-old has also paced all Carolina skaters in ice time, and the team has posted a sterling 56.87% expected goals rate with Hamilton on the ice at five-on-five.

11. San Jose Sharks (12-11-1)

Previous rank: 23

Logan Couture has been dynamite in his first season as captain, leading the Sharks back into the playoff picture after a dreadful month of October. The 30-year-old forward has tallied a team-best 24 points, including 14 in November as the Sharks have won eight of 11 contests in the month.

12. Florida Panthers (12-7-5)

Previous rank: 19

Both Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau have been fantastic for the Panthers this year, but the hulking pivot narrowly gets the nod here. Barkov drives the bus for Florida's dominant top line - he's put up 29 points, logged over 20 minutes per night, and won 54% of his draws.

13. Pittsburgh Penguins (12-7-4)

Previous rank: 9

The Penguins rode Sidney Crosby's point-per-game production to a 10-6-1 record while missing several key pieces. With Crosby out of the lineup, however, Pittsburgh has won just two of six contests and has no victories away from home.

14. Montreal Canadiens (11-7-5)

Previous rank: 8

It's no coincidence that the Canadiens are in contention for a playoff spot with Shea Weber healthy. The veteran rearguard ranks second on the Habs with 18 points and still plays an incredibly sturdy game on the back end at 34 years old.

15. Tampa Bay Lightning (11-7-2)

Previous rank: 13

Thank goodness Nikita Kucherov's recent injury wasn't serious, because the reigning MVP is up to his usual ways, leading the Lightning with 20 points through 19 appearances.

16. Vancouver Canucks (12-8-4)

Previous rank: 14

Elias Pettersson is playing like a league MVP candidate, so it's a no-brainer that he's been the most valuable Canuck. Last year's Calder Trophy winner sits 11th in NHL scoring with 29 points through 24 games.

17. Philadelphia Flyers (11-7-5)

Previous rank: 11

After being rewarded with a six-year, $33-million contract in September, Travis Konecny has not disappointed. The Ontario native leads the Flyers with 23 points in as many games, and he's kept the club afloat despite slow starts from some of his typically productive teammates.

18. Toronto Maple Leafs (11-10-4)

Previous rank: 12

Auston Matthews was already the Maple Leafs' MVP front-runner before Mike Babcock was fired, but Toronto's superstar looks reinvigorated under his new coach. Matthews has posted three points in two games with Sheldon Keefe at the helm, putting himself on pace for 52 goals and 98 points.

19. Ottawa Senators (11-11-1)

Previous rank: 24

Jean-Gabriel Pageau has been a pleasant story for a Senators team that had low expectations for this season. Pageau has already surpassed his 2018-19 point total by seven in 16 fewer games, and he also leads Ottawa in both goals and points.

20. Vegas Golden Knights (11-10-4)

Previous rank: 15

Mark Stone leads all Golden Knights forwards in ice time and has paced the club with 10 goals. He's one of the best two-way forwards in hockey, and his first full year in Sin City has been impressive, to say the least.

21. Chicago Blackhawks (9-9-5)

Previous rank: 28

The Blackhawks will remain competitive as long as Patrick Kane is in town. The 2016 Hart Trophy winner is off to another all-world campaign with 30 points in 23 outings. Consistent as always, Kane is riding a 12-game point streak, amassing 21 in that span.

22. Nashville Predators (10-9-3)

Previous rank: 7

Roman Josi has more than proved he's worth the big-ticket extension he signed earlier this season. The Norris Trophy contender leads the Predators with 22 points in 22 games.

23. New York Rangers (10-9-2)

Previous rank: 25

The Rangers paid Artemi Panarin to play like an MVP candidate, and, so far, so good. The Russian marksman has recorded a team-best 12 goals and 27 points through his first 21 contests in the Big Apple.

24. Minnesota Wild (9-11-3)

Previous rank: 27

The ageless Eric Staal continues to produce at 35 years old. He leads the struggling Wild with 17 points thus far.

25. Columbus Blue Jackets (9-9-4)

Previous rank: 26

Pierre-Luc Dubois has done his best to pick up the slack after the Blue Jackets lost several key offensive pieces to free agency in the offseason. His 10 goals and 17 points are both team highs, as the 21-year-old continues to develop in his third NHL season.

26. Calgary Flames (11-12-3)

Previous rank: 10

Calgary is tumbling down the standings, but Matthew Tkachuk is developing into the team's heart and soul. Tkachuk has struggled to produce during the Flames' offensive drought, but he still leads the club with 20 points.

27. Buffalo Sabres (11-9-3)

Previous rank: 21

Where would Buffalo be without Jack Eichel? The Sabres captain is on pace to shatter career bests in both goals and points, and he's been the club's heartbeat through thick and thin.

28. Los Angeles Kings (9-13-1)

Previous rank: 30

Anze Kopitar has been the Kings' best player for years, which doesn't appear set to change anytime soon. Los Angeles ranks 28th in goals scored this season, but Kopitar has maintained a point-per-game pace through 23 contests.

29. Anaheim Ducks (10-11-3)

Previous rank: 17

His play has wavered somewhat in recent games, but a locked-in John Gibson gives the Ducks a chance to win every single night against any opponent.

30. New Jersey Devils (8-10-4)

Previous rank: 29

A tumultuous start for the Devils hasn't slowed down leading scorer Taylor Hall, who's up to 20 points in 22 games. Unfortunately, for New Jersey, its MVP will be a free agent in the offseason, and the club isn't doing a great job of convincing him to stick around.

31. Detroit Red Wings (7-16-3)

Previous rank: 31

Anthony Mantha has rediscovered the touch that made him one of the deadliest scorers in the history of junior hockey. The 6-foot-5 forward has potted 12 tallies in 26 games this season, putting him on pace for a career-best 38-goal campaign.

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