Slow starts to the season are one thing, but prolonged lack of production can affect a team's chances of success.
Here are five players that need to start producing ... and quick:
Evgeny Kuznetsov
The Washington Capitals waited almost four years for Evgeny Kuznetsov to make his NHL debut after drafting him 26th overall in 2010, and their patience was rewarded with a 20-goal, 77-point performance in 2015-16 - his second full season.
Unfortunately, that breakout hasn't carried over, and with only three goals and six assists through 23 games, Kuznetsov is on pace for 11 goals and 32 points, meaning a 45-point drop off from last season.
It's not due to a lack of opportunity, as Kuznetsov is seeing basically the same amount of ice time among Washington's top-six forwards.
Kuznetsov's lack of production is certainly one reason why the Capitals have fallen from first place in the league standings to the second-wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Patrice Bergeron
The NHL's prototypical two-way center scored a career-high 32 goals last season, but through 22 games, Patrice Bergeron is on pace for less than half of that total.
Bergeron has recorded four goals and three assists for the Boston Bruins, and while he plays on one of the league's best trios in terms of possession, it's linemates David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand who are putting up the numbers.
Related: 5 of the NHL's most dominant lines
The Bruins rank fifth in the NHL with 55 goals allowed, but 23rd in goals for.
A boost from Bergeron would go a long way towards lifting the latter, as well as securing the team's first playoff spot in three years.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
While Connor McDavid is proving to be worth every ounce of hype that followed him throughout his junior career and into the pro ranks, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hasn't quite lived up to expectations for the Edmonton Oilers.
"There is no doubt that (Nugent-Hopkins) is one of those players that needs to pick his socks up and give us better performances," head coach Todd McLellan recently said.
Nugent-Hopkins ranks sixth on the Oilers with four goals and eight assists, and is on pace to fall 20 points shy of his career high 56, which he has hit in two separate seasons.
Andrew Ladd
After allowing Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen to depart as unrestricted free agents this past summer, general manager Garth Snow attempted to fill the void by signing Andrew Ladd to a seven-year, $38.5-million contract.
To say he's not living up to that commitment would be a massive understatement. In 24 games with the Islanders, Ladd has scored two goals, and has chipped in three helpers.
For his career, Ladd is averaging 49 points for every 82 games played, but is currently on pace for 17.
It's no wonder the Islanders have fallen to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Anthony Duclair
The Arizona Coyotes are trying to build something special around a group of talented young players, with Anthony Duclair seemingly an integral part of that group.
The last-place club, however, is suffering from Duclair's sophomore slump.
The 21-year-old scored 20 goals last season, but has managed to net one in 23 games to date, with three assists to his credit. Altogether, he's on pace for a grand total of four goals and 14 points.
Some sort of regression was expected, considering Duclair's 20 goals were scored on 105 shots, but this near disappearance has to be troubling for the Coyotes, who would reportedly be willing to part ways with the winger if the price is right.
