Pettersson trending upward for Canucks

Behind the Numbers is a weekly series where NHL.com examines both player and team trends with an emphasis being placed on advanced statistics. This week we look at some of the top rookies in the League, how the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings are doing with their new coaches, and teams on the upswing.

Rookies

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson has nine points (five goals, four assists) in nine games since returning from an upper-body injury Oct. 27. His 1.2 points-per-game pace puts him in line for 91 points in 76 games (missed six games with injury) over a full season. If he stays healthy, Pettersson could join an elite list of rookies to have at least 91 points: Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) and Sidney Crosby (Penguins) dating back to the 2000-01 season.
New York Rangers center Brett Howden scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory against the Canucks on Monday. Howden has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 17 games, tied for third among NHL rookies with Oskar Lindblom (Philadelphia Flyers). He's second with 101 face-off wins behind Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (115), third among rookie forwards with 15:17 of ice time per game and fifth in shorthanded time on ice (17:28). Howden is shaping up to be one of the most well-rounded forwards in the rookie class this season.

Early look at coaching changes

Since Willie Desjardins was hired as coach Nov. 4, the Kings are 1-3-0 and rank 28th in goals per 60 (1.50), 30th in assists per 60 (2.25) and 30th points per 60 (3.75). No. 1 center Anze Kopitar has no points and top defenseman Drew Doughty has no points and is minus-4 after Desjardins replaced John Stevens. If the trend continues, Kopitar will be on pace for an NHL career low 30 points. The Kings will need to be better than their second-fewest shots on goal total (99) over the span if they hope to breakout of their scoring slump. They showcased a desire to shake things up by acquiring forward Carl Hagelin in a trade with the Penguins for forward Tanner Pearson on Wednesday.
The Chicago Blackhawks are tied for the second-fewest goals (six) in the NHL and have scored one power-play goal since Jeremy Colliton replaced Joel Quenneville as coach Nov. 6. In the four games (1-2-1) since Colliton took over, the Blackhawks have the third-lowest shooting percentage in the NHL (4.8 percent). The good news for the Blackhawks is that they are ninth in SAT (plus-25) and third in SAT when behind (plus-27). If Chicago continues to generate positive possession metrics and find a way to improve the power play (13.8 percent, 28th), it could improve its minus-15 goal differential (tied for second-worst in NHL) and regain ground in the Central Division.

Top teams over the past week

The Detroit Red Wings are 4-0-0 with eight points (T-1st with Florida Panthers) since Nov. 6. No. 1 goalie Jimmy Howard was 3-0-0 with a .948 save percentage over the span and forward Andreas Athanasiou led them with six points (three goals, three assists) in three games (missed one game with a lower-body injury). Detroit is tied for fourth in even-strength goals over the span with 12, which correlates with its fifth-best 5-on-5 shooting percentage in the NHL since Nov. 6 (11.5). The Red Wings could maintain their recent success if they continue to get quality 5-on-5 goaltending like they have over the past week (.956 save percentage; 5th).
The Panthers are 4-0-0 over the same span where they've had a top 10 power play (26.7 percent; T-7th) and penalty kill (92.3 percent; 5th). Defenseman Keith Yandle leads Florida with three power-play points (T-3rd in NHL) and forward Jonathan Huberdeau is tied for second in the NHL with two power-play goals over the span. The return of goalie Roberto Luongo, who is 4-0-0 with a .951 save percentage in his past four starts, has Florida among the four best teams in 5-on-5 save percentage (.961; 4th). Wing Mike Hoffman has points in 13 consecutive games (15 points; seven goals, eight assists), the longest active streak in the NHL. The only trend that suggests the Panthers could cool off over their next few games is that they have an SAT of minus-21 (23rd in NHL) since Nov. 6. Still, with a top 10 power play and penalty kill, the Panthers should continue to be a team on the rise.