NHL’s Top Point Leaders Making Headlines in April
As the 2024–25 NHL regular season approaches its conclusion on April 17th, the race for the league’s top scorer is heating up. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin on April 19th, and teams are fighting for every point in the final stretch. Meanwhile, individual stars are chasing personal milestones and league honors, making each game even more meaningful. This season’s scoring race is closer than ever, with a few elite players leading the charge. Here’s a breakdown of the top contenders and the impact of their performances as the postseason looms.
Colorado Avalanche forward, Nathan MacKinnon, is building off his dominant 2023–24 campaign, where he won both the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award. This season, he leads the NHL with 114 points, tallying 31 goals and 83 assists in 77 games. He averages 22:42 of ice time per game and carries a +28 plus/minus rating, reflecting his two-way impact. MacKinnon’s playmaking and leadership have kept the Avalanche among the league’s top teams. If he holds onto the scoring lead, he will earn his first career Art Ross Trophy. With his elite speed and vision, he continues to be one of the most exciting players in the game.
Just three points behind MacKinnon , Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov is in hot pursuit. He has 111 points this season, with 33 goals and 78 assists in 71 games played. Kucherov is projected to finish with 121 points — the same total as MacKinnon, making this one of the tightest races in years. A former Hart, Art Ross, and Ted Lindsay Award winner, he knows what it takes to finish strong. His vision, creativity, and power-play precision have been key for a Lightning team still fighting for a playoff spot. Kucherov’s offensive consistency keeps Tampa Bay dangerous down the stretch.
Leon Draisaitl ranks third in the league with 106 points, coming from 52 goals and 54 assists. He leads the NHL in goals and continues to prove why he’s one of the game’s elite scorers. Alongside Alex Ovechkin, Draisaitl is one of only two active players with at least four 50-goal seasons. His quick release, sharp hockey sense, and ability to perform in clutch situations make him a constant threat. However, Draisaitl left the April 3rd game against the Sharks due to an undisclosed injury. If he misses time, it could impact the Oilers’ playoff seeding and his chance to climb the points leaderboard.
Though not leading in points, Alex Ovechkin is making history in real time. With 39 goals this season, he’s just three shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record of 894. This pursuit has become the defining storyline of the Capitals’ season. Ovechkin’s presence continues to lift his team — Washington has already clinched a playoff spot after barely qualifying last year. Breaking the record would cement his legacy as the greatest goal scorer in NHL history. Fans around the world are watching every shift of the “Gr8 Chase.”
With only a handful of games left, the scoring race and playoff push are reaching a boiling point. Injuries, head-to-head matchups, and late-season momentum will play major roles in how things shake out. These players aren’t just chasing trophies — they’re trying to carry their teams into the postseason on a high note. The combination of individual excellence and team stakes makes this one of the most thrilling finishes in recent memory. Whether it’s MacKinnon’s dominance, Kucherov’s precision, Draisaitl’s scoring touch, or Ovechkin’s historic run, the end of the regular season promises plenty of drama. Hockey fans, buckle up — April is delivering.
