NHL Players Most Likely to Heat Up in Final Months of Season

Entering the final two months of this NHL season, there are several players whose performances are likely to heat up. Among them is Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby, who's overcome a slow start to regain his high-scoring ways.

Crosby isn't the only player who should improve over the final months of the schedule.

Some, like Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, are playing for a new contract. Others, like Edmonton Oilers rookie center Connor McDavid, hope to bounce back from missing considerable time to injury.

Here's a look at the NHL players most likely to get hot during the final months of 2015-16. Feel free to offer up your take or picks in the comments section below.

Jaden Schwartz, St. Louis Blues

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Left wing Jaden Schwartz's eventual return should provide an offensive boost to the St. Louis Blues.

Entering a contract year, St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz was undoubtedly hoping to build upon his 63-point performance in 2014-15. Only seven games into the season, however, he was sidelined by a fractured ankle.

Having returned to practice on Jan. 20, Schwartz should be back in action soon.

Depending on how long it takes him to regain game shape, the 23-year-old could quickly re-establish himself among the Blues' top forwards.

With the Blues hoping to boost their scoring down the stretch and into the playoffs, Schwartz's return will come at an opportune time. He will be keen to prove he hasn't lost a stride or his offensive form. Playing for a new contract should provide additional incentive.

Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks

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San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture hopes to put his early-season injuries behind him.

It's been a difficult season for San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture. A fractured fibula in October sidelined him for 23 games. In December, surgery to repair a small arterial bleed in his right leg forced him from the lineup for another seven games.

Since returning to action on Dec. 30, Couture's filled the third-line center role.

Heading into the recent All-Star break, he managed eight points in 13 games. Thanks to his presence, the Sharks won nine of those games.

Couture, 26, has reached or exceeded 20 goals five times and 50 points four times. While his early-season injuries will prevent him from reaching those numbers in 2015-16, he's bound to heat up over the remainder of the schedule.

He will provide an invaluable boost to the Sharks offense in their push for a Western Conference playoff berth.

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

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Edmonton Oilers rookie Connor McDavid has recently returned from a broken clavicle.

Edmonton Oilers rookie center Connor McDavid was enjoying a fine start to his NHL debut season. With 12 points in his first 13 games, the youngster was among the NHL's leading rookie scorers. Unfortunately, a fractured clavicle suffered in a Nov. 3 game against the Philadelphia Flyers sidelined him for three months. 

All eyes were on McDavid upon his Feb. 2 return against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 19-year-old didn't disappoint, tallying a goal and two assists in a 5-1 Oilers victory.

McDavid's return provides some hope for the Oilers' fading playoff chances as well as his shot of winning the Calder Memorial Trophy. While the odds seem against him, McDavid appears determined to make up for lost time over what remains of this season.

Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche

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Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov has put his early-season struggles behind him.

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov wasn't at his best during the opening two months of 2015-16. He struggled through his first nine starts, winning only three of them.

At one point, his stats were among the worst for starting goalies. A nagging groin injury sidelined him through six games in November.

Since December, however, there's been a noticeable improvement in Varlamov's performance. The 27-year-old backstopped the Avs to a combined 14 victories in December and January. On Dec. 21 and Jan. 25, Varlamov received NHL Star of the Week honors. 

Thanks in part to Varlamov's stellar play, the Avalanche clawed their way up from near the bottom of the Western Conference standings in November to a wild-card berth by February.

Varlamov is heating up at the right time. He carried the Avs into the playoffs in 2014 and could do it again this year.

Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek appears to be regaining last season's high-scoring form.

Coming off a career-best 81-point season and armed with an eight-year, $66 million contract, Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek came into the season with high expectations. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old got off to a sluggish start with only 13 points in his first 24 games.

Since then, however, Voracek has regained his offensive touch. In 24 games between Dec. 1 and Feb. 2, he netted 26 points and moved up rapidly among the Flyers' leading scorers.

The improvement in his play coincides with the Flyers' recent climb toward playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.

Over the remainder of this season, the Flyers will face a tough battle to nail down a postseason berth. Voracek's return to form certainly improves their chances. Expect him to rise to the challenge in the coming weeks.

John Tavares, New York Islanders

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New York Islanders captain John Tavares hopes to lead his club to another playoff appearance.

Coming off a 38-goal, 86-point performance in 2014-15, New York Islanders center John Tavares was once again expected to challenge for the NHL scoring title. However, this season's been a bit of a struggle for the 25-year-old Isles captain. With 36 points after 45 games, he isn't even among the league's top 30 scorers.

Though the Isles hold a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, this season's been something of a letdown.

As captain, Tavares is expected to lead the way. Since mid-January, he appears to be stepping up his play. In six games between Jan. 12 and Feb. 2, Tavares tallied two goals and added five assists for seven points.

Given Tavares' superstar skills, one shouldn't underestimate his ability to elevate his play through the remainder of this season. With a playoff berth by no means a certainty for the Isles, Tavares will certainly use that as motivation.

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

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The Tampa Bay Lightning will look to captain Steven Stamkos to lead them on another deep playoff run.

Having captained the Tampa Bay Lightning to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, center Steven Stamkos has had a difficult season. He's in the midst of a contract negotiation, and several key teammates were sidelined by injuries.

As a result, his production is down compared to his 43-goal, 72-point performance in 2014-15.

In January, however, Stamkos' numbers showed improvement, as he tallied 10 points in 11 games. The Lightning roster is getting healthier, which should further boost his stats over the remainder of the season.

With Stamkos playing for a contract and under pressure to carry the Lightning back to the Stanley Cup Final, the remainder of the season will be his time to shine.

Picking up his offensive pace would certainly help the Bolts move higher in the standings. It could also help him secure a lucrative, long-term deal from the Bolts.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby is rapidly moving up among the NHL's leading scorers.

This season got off to a rocky start for Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. With only 19 points in his first 28 games, questions were raised over the 28-year-old's sluggish production. Meanwhile, the Penguins were in danger of falling out of playoff contention.

Since Mike Sullivan took over as Penguins head coach on Dec. 12, Crosby's performance noticeably improved.

In 20 games between Dec. 14 to Feb. 2, he netted 26 points. Crosby's moved up among the league's top 20 scorers and is within striking distance of the top five.

He's also close to overtaking Evgeni Malkin for the Penguins' scoring lead.

With Crosby rejuvenated under Sullivan's coaching, expect his torrid scoring pace to continue over the remainder of the season. His offensive surge will be a key factor as the Penguins jockey for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.