by Sean Murphy
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023We're more than a couple of weeks into the 23-24 NHL season and you could argue that things have gone as expected so far with the Bruins, Rangers, Avalanche and Golden Knights leading their respective divisions. Here's a look at some news and notes from around the league as we approach the end of October.
Capital punishment?
Washington currently brings up the rear in the Metropolitan Division having collected just three of a possible 10 points through five games. The Capitals essentially stood pat in the offseason leaving their veteran corps intact for one more run at the Stanley Cup. You have to figure they'll be sellers if things continue to go poorly. Alexander Ovechkin's chase for the all-time goal-scoring record has hit a speedbump as he has produced just one goal this season. He did fire 14 shots on goal in Tuesday's loss to the Maple Leafs and found the back of the net once so perhaps a sign of things to come from the Great 8.
Winged wheel keeps on turning
The Red Wings have been one of the upstart teams in the early going this season, jumping out to a fast 5-1-1 start. In fact, Detroit leads the league in scoring with 34 goals. Alex DeBrincat looks like he's found a home in Detroit (he was born in nearby Farmington Hills) as he has compiled 13 points through seven games with his new team - his third different team in as many years. Of note, the Red Wings won't play a game outside of the Eastern time zone until December 11th, when they begin a two-game road trip in Dallas.
The end of an era?
It's probably far too premature to say given the ups and downs of a long 82-game NHL season but the Penguins once again look like they're nearing the end of their Stanley Cup window with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at the forefront. That's not to say those two veteran stars have struggled but simply that the Pens don't seem to have the right mix, yet again, as they look to return to prominence. Pittsburgh has dropped four of its first six games and looked outmatched against one of the league's better up-and-coming teams in the Stars on Tuesday (similarly to how Pittsburgh looked against Detroit last week). The Pens have produced only 17 goals in six games.
Oil shortage
Entering the campaign, Edmonton was considered to be a top contender to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in June but things have not gone well for the Oilers so far, on multiple fronts. Edmonton checks in just 1-4-1 out of the gates and recently lost superstar Connor McDavid to an injury that could keep him out of the lineup for a number of weeks. In their first game without McDavid the Oilers dropped an ugly 7-4 decision in Minnesota on Tuesday. Scoring isn't likely to be an issue as long as Leon Draisaitl remains healthy but Edmonton's back-end has proven to be extremely leaky as it has yielded 27 goals this season. Only Carolina has given up more (33). A four-game homestand is on deck so perhaps that will help the Oilers settle down as November approaches.
Toothless Sharks
How bad have the San Jose Sharks been so far this season? Not only have they managed to collect just one point in six games but they've lit the lamp only eight times while allowing 23 goals - good for a league-worst -15 goal differential. You would have to go back four games to find the last time San Jose managed to score more than a single goal and that came in a 6-3 defeat against the struggling Hurricanes. Already 0-2 on their current road trip they'll have to navigate three games in four nights on the east coast beginning Thursday in Tampa.
Capital punishment?
Washington currently brings up the rear in the Metropolitan Division having collected just three of a possible 10 points through five games. The Capitals essentially stood pat in the offseason leaving their veteran corps intact for one more run at the Stanley Cup. You have to figure they'll be sellers if things continue to go poorly. Alexander Ovechkin's chase for the all-time goal-scoring record has hit a speedbump as he has produced just one goal this season. He did fire 14 shots on goal in Tuesday's loss to the Maple Leafs and found the back of the net once so perhaps a sign of things to come from the Great 8.
Winged wheel keeps on turning
The Red Wings have been one of the upstart teams in the early going this season, jumping out to a fast 5-1-1 start. In fact, Detroit leads the league in scoring with 34 goals. Alex DeBrincat looks like he's found a home in Detroit (he was born in nearby Farmington Hills) as he has compiled 13 points through seven games with his new team - his third different team in as many years. Of note, the Red Wings won't play a game outside of the Eastern time zone until December 11th, when they begin a two-game road trip in Dallas.
The end of an era?
It's probably far too premature to say given the ups and downs of a long 82-game NHL season but the Penguins once again look like they're nearing the end of their Stanley Cup window with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at the forefront. That's not to say those two veteran stars have struggled but simply that the Pens don't seem to have the right mix, yet again, as they look to return to prominence. Pittsburgh has dropped four of its first six games and looked outmatched against one of the league's better up-and-coming teams in the Stars on Tuesday (similarly to how Pittsburgh looked against Detroit last week). The Pens have produced only 17 goals in six games.
Oil shortage
Entering the campaign, Edmonton was considered to be a top contender to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in June but things have not gone well for the Oilers so far, on multiple fronts. Edmonton checks in just 1-4-1 out of the gates and recently lost superstar Connor McDavid to an injury that could keep him out of the lineup for a number of weeks. In their first game without McDavid the Oilers dropped an ugly 7-4 decision in Minnesota on Tuesday. Scoring isn't likely to be an issue as long as Leon Draisaitl remains healthy but Edmonton's back-end has proven to be extremely leaky as it has yielded 27 goals this season. Only Carolina has given up more (33). A four-game homestand is on deck so perhaps that will help the Oilers settle down as November approaches.
Toothless Sharks
How bad have the San Jose Sharks been so far this season? Not only have they managed to collect just one point in six games but they've lit the lamp only eight times while allowing 23 goals - good for a league-worst -15 goal differential. You would have to go back four games to find the last time San Jose managed to score more than a single goal and that came in a 6-3 defeat against the struggling Hurricanes. Already 0-2 on their current road trip they'll have to navigate three games in four nights on the east coast beginning Thursday in Tampa.
