Almost Famous

Some lesser-known lights have been outshining their star teammates this season

THE GUY YOU KNOW

RICK NASH, Blue Jackets LW
Taken first overall in 2002, the captain led the NHL in goals in '04 and was named MVP for Team Canada at the 2007 World Championships. He's a +5 this year.*
Points: 21

SCOTT GOMEZ, Rangers C
A two-time All-Star and a two-time Cup winner (as a Devil), Gomez got a seven-year, $51.5 million deal in '07 to bring his slippery moves and photogenic grin to Broadway.
Points: 14

JOE THORNTON, Sharks C
The top pick of the 1997 draft and the 2005--06 NHL MVP, his trade from Boston during that MVP season cemented San Jose's place among the NHL's premier teams.
Points: 26

MARIAN GABORIK, Wild RW
Perhaps the fastest skater in the NHL, his 83 points last season dwarfed any teammate's. This year he's hurt, as he has often been, and had appeared in just two games.
Points: 1

THE GUY YOU DON'T

DERICK BRASSARD, Blue Jackets C
Uh, who? His NHL stint last season netted two points in 17 games. This year he had points in his first four games. Now he's a +8 and has a mean streak too.
Points: 19

NIKOLAI ZHERDEV, Rangers RW
Lost in Columbus for four uneven NHL seasons, the supple-wristed winger and his $2.5 million salary came in a summer trade. Now he scores and—shock!—even defends.
Points: 23

DEVIN SETOGUCHI, Sharks RW
After bouncing between the minors and the NHL last season, then having surgeries on his shoulder and on a sports hernia, he's won a place on Thornton's line.
Points: 27