As the the regular season winds to a close, here's our final weekly look at the fortunes of some of the game's brightest young stars -- the top players in the league age 24 and younger. It's worth noting that five of the top 10 point-producers over the past two weeks were youngsters.
Hot
Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
McDavid has guided the Oilers to their first playoff berth since 2006 and all but locked up the league's scoring title in just his second season -- and first full one, after missing almost half his rookie campaign because of a shoulder injury. The 20-year-old captain heads into the final weekend of the regular season on a 12-game points streak, which includes a goal and an assist in a big win over first-round playoff opponent the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. McDavid, the first-overall pick in 2015, has not gone more than two games without a point all season.
Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
It wasn't that long ago that we were pondering Matthews' seven-game pointless streak and wondering whether the Maple Leafs were losing their grip on a postseason berth. As of Friday, Toronto still hadn't clinched, but it had a three-point lead on the New York Islanders -- and Matthews has registered a point in nine of his past 11 games. The bigger the stakes, the more Matthews -- the first-overall pick in June -- has risen to the occasion. Not a bad trait to have in a franchise player who is still just 19 years old.
Jonathan Drouin, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning
The hard-luck Lightning are still defying odds to remain in the hunt for a postseason berth. Regardless of whether they get there -- which doesn't look likely given that Tampa Bay is three points behind Toronto for the second wild-card spot with two games to play -- GM Steve Yzerman must be pleased with what he's seen from young players Jake Dotchin and Brayden Point. I continue to be impressed with Drouin, the third-overall pick in 2013, who has put behind him the drama that sullied last season and become a leader. Drouin is without a point in the past two games but has 53 points this season and has registered on the score sheet in seven of the Lightning's previous eight games to help keep his team alive in spite of the trades and injuries that have decimated its lineup.
Not
Josh Anderson, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets
There has been a lot to like about Anderson's season -- not the least of which has been his gritty presence and surprising production (16 goals) for the surprising Blue Jackets. But points and goals have been hard to come by of late for both Anderson and his teammates. The 22-year-old has gone 10 games without a goal. He's added just one assist over that period, as the Blue Jackets have slid out of contention for home ice in the first round and must start the postseason in Pittsburgh against the defending Stanley Cup champs.
Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Calgary Flames
Tkachuk, the son of longtime NHL star Keith Tkachuk and the sixth-overall pick in June, has had an impressive rookie season. But as the Flames prepare for a first-round matchup against either the Anaheim Ducks or Chicago Blackhawks, they have gone a bit sideways -- as has the 19-year-old Tkachuk, who hasn't scored in eight games and has just one in his past 14 games. Still, the big winger with a chip on his shoulder (which was clear in his recent run-in with former Norris Trophy winner Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings) is getting ample opportunity to bust out of his slump by playing top-six minutes, most often with Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik.
Anthony Beauvillier, C, New York Islanders
The Islanders are getting a glimpse into the future. With top center and captain John Tavares out for the rest of the season, youth is being served by New York as it tries to overtake Toronto and Tampa Bay for the final wild-card berth. Beauvillier, 19, has appeared in 63 games this season, and while he has shown his gifts as a playmaker, he has struggled to finish, scoring just one goal in his past 12 games -- this despite averaging almost three shots a game over that period. Of course, the Isles won't care if he scores as long as the 28th-overall pick in 2015 keeps his team playing meaningful games.
Young guns showdown
Jake Guentzel, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins vs. William Nylander, RW, Maple Leafs
Saturday, April 8, Toronto
The Leafs are keeping long-suffering fans on the edge of their seats by failing to officially sew up what would be just their second playoff berth since the 2004-05 lockout. Nylander, 20, has been patrolling the right wing for Matthews and has 60 points in his rookie season, including 25 power-play points. Meanwhile, Guentzel, 22, has seen time on the wing with Sidney Crosby -- and has taken advantage of the opportunity, with six points in his past four games -- as the Penguins wrapped up home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.