As we march into February, some individual races are starting to shape up to be less intriguing than others. Of course Leon Draisaitl could let up enough in the goal-scoring department to allow others a healthy shot at winning the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck could conceivably flounder enough down the stretch to open the Vezina door to others. But there isn't any evidence to suggest either would happen. Quite the contrary. Fortunately, competition appears more dramatic in other individual categories. For instance, the Norris Trophy, where two familiar candidates are once again setting up for a battle down the stretch.
Norris Trophy Winner: Cale Makar +150
Deemed the initial favorite at the start of the season, the Avalanche star has since slipped behind Quinn Hughes (+120) in the odds pecking order to win the Norris, which is more indicative of how well Hughes is performing in Vancouver than a reflection of Makar's play (although a recent chilly stretch in production spanning the first half of January can't be ignored). A panel of writers (PHWA members) at NHL.com continued to back Makar as the league's top defenseman at the season's halfway point, just as they had at the quarter mark, and before the 2024-25 campaign even got underway.
For good reason. Despite a slightly inconsistent campaign by his standards, Makar has 18 goals -- four more than Hughes -- and 38 assists. Logging nearly 26 minutes per game, he serves as a key figure on the penalty kill while leading his club in power-play goals. According to Makar himself, and head coach Jared Bednar, his defensive play has improved over past seasons. A significant note, considering what the 26-year-old contributes to the scoresheet. Fresh chemistry with new Avalanche forward Martin Necas. who assisted on two of Makar's tallies in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Rangers, suggest the blueliner's points aren't about to dry up with a new-look top line and power play in place. Early returns, sure, but promising nonetheless.
No defenseman has won twice in a row since Nicklas Lidstrom back in 2008 (his third straight, actually). If viewing this race as a neck-and-neck sprint between the Canucks defenseman, who won it last season, and Makar -- Columbus's Zach Werenski also figures in the conversation -- there's plenty of justification in siding with the better odds right now.
Bonus long shot:
New York Islanders to make the playoffs (+380): Here's a play for those who believe Lou Lamoriello's crew could somehow squeeze their way into the playoffs for a third straight season. While the number of clubs logjammed in the guts of the East certainly serves as a turnoff, the Isles remain only seven points behind the Boston Bruins, with three games in hand, for the top wild-card spot (six points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second). Winners of four straight, and seven of their past nine, the Isles are once more benefitting from superior netminding from Ilya Sorokin, while treading water in a wild-card race that feels nowhere near decided. Although injuries to defensemen Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock undoubtedly hurt, the club appears to be using those losses as a rallying cry. With plenty to prove, newbie Tony DeAngelo could provide some additional scoring from the back end as well.
Last season, the Islanders were on the outside looking in at this point in the season before eventually claiming a wild-card spot by season's end. If they continue to get terrific netminding from Sorokin, along with consistent contributions from key figures out front -- Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, etc. -- recent history tells us the Isles can't be ruled out of the playoff mix at this stage.
Featured games
Colorado Avalanche at New York Islanders
7:30 p.m. ET, UBS Arena
Avalanche (-1.5, +170), -155 money line
Islanders (+1.5, -215), +130 money line
Total 5.5: (Over -125, Under +105)
Bo Horvat total shots over 2.5 (-130) and Kyle Palmieri total points over 0.5 (+135): Averaging 3.4 shots per game since Dec. 17, Horvat has failed to reach three shots in only four of 16 games spanning that stretch. One of the league's streakier performers, Palmieri has contributed at least one assist in four of his past five. Cobble those two plays together for a moderate parlay that doesn't depend on an Islanders victory.
Makar to score 2-plus goals (+3000): He scored a pair against the Rangers Sunday, and another two versus the Stars the previous weekend. While Sorokin has been solid of late, these odds are too fun to completely ignore if keen on a wilder, long-shot option.
Anaheim Ducks at Seattle Kraken
10 p.m. ET, Climate Pledge Arena
Ducks (+1.5, +170), +115 money line
Kraken (-1.5, +180), -135 money line
Total 5.5: (Over -130, Under +110)
Anaheim Ducks +1.5 (+170): The Kraken are 0-7 in the leg of a back-to-back set this season. Guess who fell 4-2 to the Oilers Monday night? A game lost by Joey Daccord, meaning we're likely to see Philipp Grubauer between the pipes against the visiting Ducks. Idle the last two weeks, Grubauer is 0-4-1 with a .838 SV% and 4.61 GAA since the calendar flipped to 2025. Winners of two straight, Anaheim scored five goals each against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators. Take the dogs +1.5 on the road for +170.
Frank Vatrano total shots over 2.5 (-140) and Mason McTavish total shots over 1.5 (-175): While Vatrano -- the team's shots leader -- is averaging 3.85 per game over his past six contests, McTavish is right there with 3.50. The latter is in an impressive groove altogether with five goals in his most recent three contests. The Kraken are allowing 29.6 shots a game -- eighth most in the league -- since New Year's Day. It all adds up to an attractive, if still conservative, one-two punch.