·
The Blackhawks couldn’t have picked a better
time to have the best start in NHL history. Because of the abbreviated season,
the Hawks have avoided losing in regulation for nearly 38% of the season. They’ve
already opened an 11-point lead in the best division in hockey and are six
points ahead of Anaheim for the conference lead. Their +23 goal differential is
astounding and they are currently fourth in goals per game and first in goals
allowed. Both Corey Crawford and Ray Emery have been incredible thus far. While
their paces obviously aren’t sustainable, there’s no reason to think they won’t
be a dangerous duo for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Pat Kane has been
playing at Hart-Trophy-level pace so far while Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Marian Hossa and Pat Sharp
have been incredible so far.
·
A quick peak at the top of either conference
provides quite a surprise. Montreal currently holds the top spot in the East
after finishing dead last in 2012. The catalyst in Montreal’s turnaround has
been the play of Carey Price. The veteran goalie has a 10-3-1 record with a
1.97 GAA and a .923 save percentage. With balanced scoring and a solid defense,
the Canadians could be in for quite the bounce-back season. Meanwhile, Anaheim
has continued the tear they started late last season. Bruce Boudreau’s crew is
second in the West with a 13-2-1 record. Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan have been as
solid as always while Teemu Selanne remains
ageless and Francois Beauchemin’s return has been much better than expected.
Viktor Fasth has been an unexpected stud between the pipes so far as he’s won
all eight of his starts so far. The Ducks seem to be equipped to make a deep
playoff run this season.
·
The shortened season hasn’t been so kind to
everyone. The Rangers and Flyers have both struggled early in the season. The
Flyers struggles are a little more predictable than the Rangers. Not so surprisingly,
the goaltending has been brutal so far.Ilya Bryzgalov may be spending a little too much
time pondering the universe and not enough time focusing on the job at hand.
And that job may be larger than he anticipated. Michael Leighton and Brian
Boucher have been dreadful as backups. Even as the league’s fifth-most-prolific
scoring team, the Flyers find themselves in ninth place.
Much like last season, the Rangers are
having trouble scoring. That tends to be a major problem when it comes to
winning hockey games. The goaltending and Tort’s defensive system have been
solid but unless one of these high-price scorers starts producing, the Rangers
could be 2013’s biggest disappointment.
·
Sidney Crosby is my early favorite for the Hart
Trophy. Now that Thomas Vanek has slowed down,
Crosby has overtaken as point’s leader and the Penguins are primed for one of
their famous fourth-place finishes. Crosby has been lighting up the scoreboard
in the past few games leading many to wonder what he could do in a full season
of action. Here’s an idea: he’s accumulated 131 points in his past 82 games.
·
While many were fixated on the slow start and
eventual rise of the defending-champion Kings, the Coyotes were off too their
own poor start. It seems as though all the 2012 magic has worn off for Mike
Smith and he’s back to his league-average capabilities. The Coyotes have decent
scoring talent but likely not enough to overcome their weakness in goal for
anything more than a first-round loss. But that’s what they get for putting
their faith in an aberration.
Stay Hungry, My Friends
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