The first rule of screenwriting is to grab your reader's attention as quickly as possible. Like the DiCaprio quote from Django, "Gentlemen, you had my curiosity. But now you have my attention." Well, these five teams have managed to surprise many NHL fans and five teams that have disappointed their fans, looking to turn it around.
Surprise #5: Vegas Golden Knights
There aren't many times when the defending Stanley Cup Champion can surprise you, but Vegas is continuing to turn heads. Beginning the season 11-1-1, Vegas hasn't missed a beat since crowning themselves the kings of the hockey world. They own the longest unbeaten streak to begin a Stanley Cup defense, but they have five players with double-digit points total. William Karlsson (15) and Jack Eichel (14) are over a point-per-game with Mark Stone (12), Shea Theodore (12) and Chandler Stevenson (10) right behind them. That's not all. Vegas appears to have the best goalie tandem in the NHL. The fairy dust sprinkled on goalie Adin Hill in the playoffs last year hasn't worn off, as he is 6-0 with a 1.81 GAA and a JAW-DROPPING .938 Save %. Right behind him is 2nd-year goalie Logan Thompson, who improved from his rookie season, with a better Save % (.923) and a GAA (2.31) than his "rookie" season. If these numbers don't convince you, the 7-0 STOMPING of the Colorado Avalanche this weekend should. We knew they'd be good, but THIS GOOD?
Disappointment #5: Ottawa Senators
The Atlantic Division is one in transition. With three teams (Buffalo, Ottawa, and Detroit) looking to supplant Tampa, Boston, and Toronto, getting off to a good start is essential. After 10 games, the Senators look closer to last year's bad start that cost them the playoffs more than the team wanting to ascend into the Atlantic's top 3. The Senators began the season 3-1, but have one win in their last six games with injuries on to their blue line. In the preseason, our question for the Senators was about their goaltending. A month in and it's not exactly answered. Both goaltenders (Anton Forsberg and Joonas Korpisalo) have GAAs north of 3.40 and Save percentages of .901 (Korpisalo) and .863 (Forsberg) that don't instill confidence. While the injuries to half their blue line, Ottawa is trying to do what they did last season, which was lean on their offense led by Tim Stützle.
Surprise #4: Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes were a punchline in a cruel NHL joke for too long. After this offseason that saw them lure in Jason Zucker and Matt Dumba and trading for Sean Durzi, the Yotes were looking to move out of the cellar. The Coyotes began the season with a shootout win over Cup hopeful New Jersey and find themselves at 5-5-1 early in this season. While they've made statements like their 8-1 thumping of the Blackhawks, they've also had growing pains like a 5-4 loss to LA after taking a 4-1 first period lead. Logan Cooley has looked great - finally scoring his first NHL goal - while Nick Schmaltz, Clayton Keller, and Matias Micceli are carrying the offense. Arizona's goaltending has been better, with Connor Ingram posting a .919 Save % and a 2,58 GAA. Karel Vejmelka continues a career-long trend. When he's good (1.94 GAA .942 Save %), the Yotes win. They lose when he's not (.892 Save %, 3.53 GAA). Can the Coyotes make the playoffs in an 82-game season for the first time since their 2012 Western Conference Finals appearance?
Disappointment #4: Minnesota Wild
In life, we all get in a rut. Stuck in place. Like the forever, one-round-and-out Minnesota Wild. However, there's one thing worse than being stuck: regression. Early in this season, Minnesota has impressed no one. The Wild sit two points ahead of the Connor Bedard-led Blackhawks and are far from a playoff team, and the usually consistent Dean Evason-led team has shown that they're closer to competing with the Avalanche and Stars than the Hawks. You'd figure they'd be a near-lock for the Central's top 3. Instead, Filip Gustavsson has looked like the goalie discarded by the Ottawa Senators as his save percentage has dropped 60 points from last year to .871 and a VERY CONCERNING 4.89 GAA. While the Wild still have a -7 goal differential, they may have found a rallying moment in the 5-4 shootout win over the Rangers Saturday, which featured a comeback from a 3-0 first-period deficit.
Surprise #3: Detroit Red Wings
The Yzerplan was questioned by many this offseason when Steve Yzerman accelerated the Red Wings' rebuild with ten additions. Well... the Wings find themselves second in the Atlantic Division with 15 points and 4th in the NHL in Goals Scored with 45. The Wings may have the best duo in hockey right now with Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat, both among the NHL's scoring leaders. Moritz Seider seems to have returned from his sophomore slump with 11 points (tied for 3rd among defensemen). If the Red Wings can cut down on their 37 Goals Against (21st in the NHL), the Wings could return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Disappointment #3: Pittsburgh Penguins
After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006, the Penguins hired Kyle Dubas as GM, and he reshaped the roster for one more shot at a Stanley Cup. His big acquisition was Erik Karlsson - fresh off a 100-point season and a Norris trophy - and his future Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have gotten off to good starts. However, the Penguins are still the mess that ended last season. The Penguins have 8 points and sit in last place in the Metropolitan Division. Though they blew out San Jose (which is happening a lot), the Penguins have a POSITIVE goal differential skewing their statistics. In the Penguins' 4 wins, they've allowed 0, 2, 0 and 2 goals. In the Pens' losses, they've allowed AT LEAST 4 goals. It's easy to blame Tristan Jarry and the other Penguins' goalies, but this team is struggling defensively and an 8-goal blowout shouldn't hide the stink of this team this season.
Surprise #2: Vancouver Canucks
Last season, no team had more drama than the Vancouver Canucks. From Jim Rutherford saying that the team needed "major surgery" to the botch coaching swap to the Elias Pettersson contract hanging over their heads to begin this season. Pettersson stated that he wanted to see progress, and it began on Opening Night when the Canucks put a whoopin' on the Edmonton Oilers 8-1. Today the Canucks sit an 8-2-1, second to Vegas, looking like the team that finished well in 21-22. Elias Pettersson leads the NHL in scoring with 20 points, and defenseman Quinn Hughes leads all defensemen. However, Thatcher Demko is back, healthy, and the best goalie in the NHL. The San Diego native leads the league with six wins, a sparse Goals Against Average of 1.55, and a WALL-LIKE .947 Save %. The Canucks sit 2nd in BOTH Goals Against and Goals Scored in the NHL with a league-best +26 Goal Differential and are buying under Rick Tocchett.
Disappointment #2: Calgary Flames
Last season, the Calgary Flames went from Stanley Cup hopeful to sitting at home to watch the NHL Playoffs. Their significant acquisitions of Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri had down years. All the blame was placed on long-time coach Darryl Sutter, and he was let go. The hope was that a new coach could rescue the roster and get Huberdeau back to his MVP form from his days with the Florida Panthers. The Flames have 3 wins and 7 points in 11 games and find themselves at the bottom of the league in Goals For and Goals Against. Elias Lindholm is their leading scorer with 8 points. Jonathan Huberdeau still hasn't gelled in Calgary and is wedded to Calgary until 2031. UGH. Goalie Jakob Markstrom hasn't returned to his 2021 Vezina Finalist form as his GAA climbs and his Save % continues to be under .900 %. The Flames are tied to him for another two years as well. Sadly, they're not the biggest disappointment in this division.
Surprise #1: Anaheim Ducks
When the Ducks began their season 1-4, you'd be excused for thinking, "Same old Ducks." Gonna let up a ton of goals, maybe score enough some nights. Then they went on the road to Columbus and won in overtime. That sparked the Ducks to wins over Boston, Philly, Pittsburgh, Arizona going into 11/5's game against the UNBEATEN Vegas Golden Knights. With their 5-game win streak ready to be a thing of the past, Anaheim rallied from a 2-0 3rd period deficit to win IN REGULATION 4-2. "Gentlemen, you had my curiosity. Now you have my attention." Anaheim is getting great goaltending from Lukáš Dostál and John Gibson and SPECTACULAR play from their 2nd line of Mason McTavish-Ryan Strome-Frank Vatrano line. Surprisingly, they're doing this while keeping their rebuilding model. Anaheim is slowly integrating Leo Carlsson into their lineup as he's only played 7 games. Anaheim and GM Pat Verbeek are set to "turn him loose" in the second half. While Anaheim could return to the bottom of the division, they currently sit 4th in the Pacific.
Disappointment #1: Edmonton Oilers
No one team has underperformed more than the Edmonton Oilers. Starting with the 8-1 DRUBBING on Opening Night at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks, the Oilers have simply been awful. The last year's highest-scoring offense from last season is 26th in the NHL, with one more goal than the NY Islanders. One team is known for their offense. The other is not. Sadly, their already middle-of-the-road defense has gotten worse. The Oilers sit at 28th in the league with 41 goals against. Their -14 Goal Differential is a steep drop from their +65 last season. While there's plenty of season to play and Connor McDavid hasn't gotten going yet, Edmonton cannot keep the puck out of their net. The already questionable goaltending situation has worsened as Jack Campbell has a 4.50 GAA and yet has a BETTER Save % than teammate Stuart Skinner (.873 to .861). Skinner isn't doing Fantasy Owners any favors with his numbers, either. The Oilers have as many wins indoors as they do outdoors and many picked them as a Stanley Cup contender. Even if Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl go back to "cheat code mode", can this team really turn around on defense? Gotta believe that the seat under Jay Woodcroft is getting warm - even with another year remaining on his contract. As of now, Edmonton will need to go 47-24-1 to get to 100 points. Their current .250 winning percentage makes it look improbable.
That's my list, but are there any surprises or disappointments that I missed? Comment below or in the post.
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