We’ve been off for a few days here at the Breakdown following the Thanksgiving Holiday, but we’re getting ready to throw it back into the gear, starting with this edition of Around the Rink. While some of our NHL coverage has taken a back seat to our other work, I still want to make time to cover the league and game we all love along with the rest of our sports. So, let’s take to the ice with this week’s four stories from around “the national.” This week we’re focused some of the best performances from around the league so far this season!

First Period

Back on Track in DC: The Capitals have been one of the best stories in the whole league so far this season, and within that there are a number of players who have been at the center of that story. Perhaps no one deserves more praise than defenseman Jakob Chychrun, the league’s reigning third star of the week. Number six in the nation’s capital was once one of the most sought after young blue liners in the league when he was on the trade block in Arizona. His size and physicality off the puck paired very well with his skill and raw gifts on it, which eventually led to a trade to Ottawa. But the move to Canadian capital didn’t quite pan out as he struggled to find his game, which led to his departure this past summer. His stock was lower preseason, but his performance this year should have skyrocketing as Chychrun has 15 points in 20 games and is a +10. Chychrun has played a big part in the Caps 17-6-2 start, good enough to lead the Eastern Conference out of nowhere.

Second Period

Realizing His Potential: That is what Montreal Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield is doing so far this season. The former USA Hockey star was drafted in the first round with the hope that he could one day be the centerpiece of the next great Habs team, and it seems like this campaign will be a quantum leap for him offensively. After putting up 28 goals last year in a solid performance, Caufield is on pace to blow that number away, with 16 goals in just 25 games. He’s a classic sniper, who is set up ever so well by the silky-smooth Nick Suzuki, who feeds him off the rush and on the powerplay with relative ease. There is just one problem…the Canadiens are in last place in the Atlantic Division at 9-13-3 on the year. Caufield and Suzuki have done their part to bring this team along, but they need some help to end this long running Habs rebuild.

Third Period

The Other 97: Yes, that’s right, another player in the NHL sporting the number 97 can make headlines instead of Conor McDavid. No disrespect intended, but the number 97 we’re talking about is the face of “the state of hockey,” Kirill Kaprizov, who is leading the NHL in points with 39 in just 24 games. Kirill “The Thrill” has long been the catalyst for the Wild’s offensive attack since he arrived in the league, but this season may be his masterpiece as he has scored 16 goals to go with his 23 assists and +19 rating. Of those 16 lamp lighters, four are game winners, including one in OT (more on that in a bit), which are coming at the perfect time. Why you ask? Because this MVP type play is coming amidst talks of contract extension intensifying in St. Paul. The Wild are intent on not allowing their star to reach free agency after next season, and I can’t say I blame them. The even better news for Kaprizov is that he is helping to carry this team to a 17-4-4 start, good enough for first place in the whole league! Maybe “The State of Hockey” can become “The State of Stanley” this year too.

Overtime

The Best Game in the World: Let’s stay with the Wild and wrap up with a scintillating overtime from their Tuesday night tilt with the Canucks. Vancouver came in having played some very good hockey on the road and looked to pad that record with a win in Minny. But the Wild had other ideas, as they tied the game in the third to reach OT. From there both teams went at it, trading chance after chance until a Kaprizov buried the game winner to send the crowd into a frenzy! I highly suggest you sit back and watch the whole period above; it was a reminder of just how great this game is!

On Twitter you can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon!