There's hot and then right now there is Mark Scheifele. Since February 15th no one has scored more goals in the NHL than Mark Scheifele's 17.
Scheifele- 17 Forseberg- 15 Stamkos- 14 Galchenyuk-14 Backlund -13 Crosby-12 Benn-12 Pavelski-12 Tarasenko-12
Since the trade of Ladd, the injury to Little and the whole host of other changes to the game the line of Scheifele, Ehlers and Wheeler has been dynamic and a production beast. Back to Scheifele though, most fans want to know is can he hit 30 goals? He would be the first Jets player to do so since Evander Kane in 2011-12.
What's interesting about that date range as well is that 6 of those 17 goals have come on the power play for Scheifele. Essentially, with big minutes the centre no one expected to be picked 2011 is delivering big results against the best competition.
However, as mentioned above he is not doing it alone. Since Feb 15th the trio of Ehlers, Scheifele and Wheeler has been good, combining for 16 goals and 43 points at 5vs5 strength. That's in 68 combined games between the three.
There's more to look at with Scheifele come the off season but right now, on the verge of 30 goals and becoming an RFA this off season is this the player at age 23 who is worth an 7-8 year deal? If so how would you structure it and for what AAV?
If you go back to last night it was not only Scheifele who was hot.. Dustin Byfuglien had quietly put up a 3 point night before his game winning goal with 10 seconds left in the game. If you use that same date of Feb 15th Byfuglien has 19 points with 4 goals and 15 assists, 6th best in the league. And with 80 games played he has 53 points and sits 8th in defence scoring.
The Jets now have their first 3 game win streak of the season and have pushed themselves too far from the bottom to have the best odds at a lottery pick. They play LA on Saturday night to end the season and with a chance to get 55 his 30th and pad a few more stats. Perhaps for both Ehlers, who currently sits 10th in rookie scoring at 36 points. There there is Wheeler who sits at 76 points 27 behind Patrick Kane but 3 ahead of Tarasenko how many more can he add on Saturday?
If there is one thing that Jets fans can feel good about it's that line and some of the other play as the season winds down again. There is some hope but it will only matter of the GM and coach can make the right changes and soon we will have all off season to talk about what those should be.