NHL Season Enters Month Two: Matthews Hits 9-Game Goal Pace, Podkolzin Targets 50

The 2026-27 National Hockey League season has reached its first month, with all 32 teams having played at least 10 games. Early analysis suggests several players have either recovered from poor recent campaigns or broken out of previous roles, moving beyond raw scoring to measure sustained impact.

Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs leads the rebound group. After two seasons of lower output, the captain has recorded nine goals in 14 games. This current pace projects to 54 goals and 120 points for the full season. NHL Edge data indicates his skating speed has improved, with his high-speed bursts rising from the 52nd to the 68th percentile.

Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks is also showing renewed form under new coaching. The forward is averaging approximately one point per game and has already matched his entire previous season's power-play goal total. He ranks in the top five among NHL forwards for blocked shots, a metric that reflects his defensive engagement.

Among the breakout performances, Artemi Panarin's absence has allowed New York Rangers center Alexis Lafreniere to take on a larger role. The 2020 first overall pick is now playing about 19 minutes per game on the top line. His zone entries have improved, though analysts expect his shooting percentage to normalize as the season progresses.

Toronto's Mitch Cowan has moved from a third-line role to the top line alongside Matthews and Jack Roslovic. He has scored six goals and added 13 points in 14 games, reaching roughly half of his rookie season totals. His speed now places him in the 90th percentile or higher across all burst categories.

Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers leads his team in points after arriving at camp in peak physical condition. The 2023 draft pick has eight goals in 14 games. In Edmonton, Konstantin Podkolzin is on a pace for more than 50 goals and 90 points. He benefits from playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl while handling nearly 20 minutes of ice time per night.