Trending Up, Trending Down: Malkin soaring, Devils crashing
Each week, theScore looks at the teams, players, and other hockey figures trending upward and taking a step back.
▲ Evgeni Malkin
It feels like Malkin has set out to remind the hockey world what he can do when he's healthy.
The Russian superstar is third in NHL scoring with 37 points, including 15 in his last 10 games. He's three off Connor McDavid's lead.
More importantly, Malkin is healthy, suiting up in all 33 games so far this season for the surging Penguins. Malkin hasn't played 70 games since 2011-12 - his MVP year.
Pittsburgh has been a force to start the season, sitting first in the Metropolitan, and for the first time in a long time, it's reaping the benefits of a healthy and productive Malkin.
▼ New Jersey Devils
It's been a difficult year in New Jersey.
After making a huge splash over the summer in acquiring Taylor Hall, the Devils have come down from a decent start and floundered throughout December.
The club has dropped seven decisions in a row, prompting general manager Ray Shero to tell his troops to "play f------ harder." Not good.
Simply put, New Jersey isn't scoring, or keeping the puck out of its own net. Over the seven-game slide, the Devils have never managed to score more than two goals, and they've allowed three or more six times.
▲ Artemi Panarin
Panarin has never heard of a sophomore slump.
The reigning Calder winner is on a tear for the surging Chicago Blackhawks, accumulating 12 points (5G, 7A) over a six-game point streak.
The 25-year-old ranks fifth in league scoring with 35 points, and seems to have regained the chemistry he found last year with linemate Patrick Kane.
▼ Detroit Red Wings
If Detroit is to extend its playoff streak beyond a quarter-century, it's got some work to do.
A 3-5-2 stretch over their last 10 games has sunk the Red Wings to 13th in the Eastern Conference, only two points clear of the last-place Islanders with an extra game played.
Detroit's offense has sputtered, averaging only 2.27 goals per game (27th), while owning the NHL's worst power play (12.4 percent).
An aging core and a series of questionable moves from general manager Ken Holland have put the Red Wings in a vulnerable position for the first time in a generation.