This article is part of our NHL Barometer series.
This week's article includes the 2015 No. 2 overall pick on a roll, Pac-man hot in the desert, a stats stuffer on the blueline for Ottawa, Washington's former Vezina Trophy winner reeling off wins, down goes Sid and a flyer from earlier in the season scuffling.
First Liners (Risers)
Jack Eichel, C, BUF – Eichel has been on fire recently. His marker Sunday came on the heels of his four-goal performance Saturday against the Penguins. Eichel, the second overall pick in the 2015 draft, known in some circles as the consolation prize to Connor McDavid, saw his output rise each of the three seasons following his rookie campaign in 2015-16, topping out at 82 points last season. The 23-year-old has never scored more than 28 goals in a season but already has 13 in 20 games this season, putting him on pace for 50-plus thanks in large part to a career-high shooting percentage (18.2).
Max Pacioretty, LW, LV – Pacioretty had his second straight poor season last year — his first campaign in Las Vegas — tallying just 40 in 66 games along with a minus-13 rating. Through the first quarter of the 2019-20 season, Pacioretty has looked more like the winger who posted four consecutive 60-point campaigns. Pacioretty notched a goal Sunday, giving the former Montreal captain eight goals, 12 helpers, 90 shots on goal and a plus-1 rating in 22 games.
Tomas Tatar, LW, MTL – Tatar replaced the injured Jonathan Drouin (upper body) on
