What we learned last week in the NHL

Lessons we learned from the last week of play in the NHL.

Bucking a trend

While most teams have settled into a low-scoring mode, the New York Rangers have ramped up their offense. They’ve won their last five games and scored at least five goals in each, giving them the league lead with 55 in 13 games. That’s an average of 4.23 goals a game through Sunday.

They’ve outscored their opponents, 26-8, during their winning streak. Michael Grabner leads with seven goals; rookie Jimmy Vesey, Kevin Hayes, Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello each have scored six.

Also hot: the Chicago Blackhawks, winners of six in a row, fueled by Artem Anisimov’s 11-game point streak. Maybe the Chicago Cubs’ success has inspired them.

Speaking of scoring goals…

The Columbus Blue Jackets took the high road in their 10-0 demolition of the Montreal Canadiens last Friday. Holding an 8-0 lead at the second intermission, they decided they wouldn’t celebrate if they padded their lead in the third. They kept their word: After Scott Hartnell and Josh Anderson scored against the hapless Al Montoya, there was no fist-pumping or hugs and players instead simply prepared for the next faceoff.

“We’ve been on the other end,” Blue Jackets Coach John Tortorella told the Columbus Dispatch. “We’re not looking to show up any team. You need to respect your opponent and what they’re going through. Still have to play the right way, but let’s be pros about this in kind of a wacky situation.”

Flames aren’t so hot

Perhaps the biggest flops in the NHL are the Calgary Flames, who were expected to be in playoff contention after acquiring goaltender Brian Elliott from the St. Louis Blues. So far, not so good: The Flames have lost four of their last five and are struggling in every facet of the game.

“It seems like we clean up one area and another hole breaks open,” Coach Glen Gulutzan said Sunday at Anaheim after the Flames followed a 5-0 loss to the Kings with a 4-1 loss to the Ducks. “These last two games have been a concern about what we’re giving up.”

The trouble with Trouba

Defenseman Jacob Trouba and the Winnipeg Jets ended their contract stalemate Monday when they agreed to a two-year, $6-million contract, but they might not live happily ever after. Not together, anyway. Trouba, a right-handed shooter, was unhappy that he didn’t get top-tier minutes on the right side, but the Jets rank Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers ahead of him. Myers has been injured lately, potentially opening a spot for Trouba. Or the Jets could trade Trouba and probably would get a lot for the gifted 22-year-old.

helene.elliott@latimes.com