Overtime Heroics NHL Roundup: Halloween Special

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have gotten off to a pretty good start so far. With an 8-6 record, the Ducks are currently sitting third within the Pacific Division and eleventh overall.

The “scariest” element of the Ducks play so far can be attributed to their stellar goaltending tandem. Both John Gibson and back up Ryan Miller have posted outstanding numbers so far with a .920 and a .929 save percentage (SV%) respectively.

So long as the high level of play from the pair continue, the Ducks could position themselves well for a playoff spot later in the season.

Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes are becoming an incredibly exciting franchise to watch. Through their first ten games, the Coyotes managed to score an average of three goals or more per game, whilst also remaining very strong on the defensive front.

However, one of the most exciting (and scary) things about the Coyotes has to be their sweater game. The desert residents arguably have the best jersey in the league in the form of the famous Kachina alternate.

The team currently sit at a 7-3-1 record.

Boston Bruins

When discussing cup contenders, the Boston Bruins are one of the first teams to be mentioned. After losing out to the St Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup final, the Bruins have come into this season with a point to prove.

The team currently sit at an impressive 9-1-2 record, placing them at the top of the Atlantic division.

The scariest element of the Bruins game thus far has to be attributed to the infamous #63. Whether you love him or you hate him, Brad Marchand is a terrific player. In twelve games (GP), Marchand has managed to amass 7 goals (G) and 14 assists (A), for a total of 21 points. He also has showed no signs of slowing down.

Buffalo Sabres

In a very similar manner to last season, the Buffalo Sabres have gotten off to a hot start. The team currently sit at an impressive 9-2-2 record, placing them second in the Atlantic Division.

One of the scariest things surrounding the Sabres is memories of the past. The Sabres ended up topping the NHL early last season with a 17-6-2 record, before seeing things quickly come crashing down. The team went on to win just sixteen more of their remaining fifty-two games.

The challenge for the Sabres is to maintain this current pace and ensure that a monumental collapse does not happen again.

Calgary Flames

Things have not exactly gotten off to the “hottest” of starts for the Calgary Flames this season. The team – currently sitting at a 6-6-2 record – have been marred with inconsistency to start off.

One of the scariest elements of the Flames game thus far has been inconsistencies. There has been very few games where the team has managed to put together an impressive 60 minutes of play and this can be seen within their results.

However, it is far too early to hit the panic button, as the Flames still have a lot of time to work out their issues.

Carolina Hurricanes

Someone had better issue a storm warning, as the Carolina Hurricanes are out to prove a point again this season. The “Bunch of Jerks” have started this season much like they ended the last, with a lot of determination.

One of the most scary things about the Carolina Hurricanes is the environment surrounding the team itself. The team has significantly embraced its quirky public persona – through the performance of the storm surge – and they are using this to their full advantage.

The camaraderie displayed by the team shows a closeness like very few others. The Hurricanes currently sit at an 8-3-1 record, placing them near the top of the NHL. If this level of play continues throughout the regular season, the Canes could be placing themselves within very good standing to take a run at the Cup.

Chicago Blackhawks

The once storied Chicago Blackhawks have had a rough time in the last few seasons. After not making the playoffs last season, and being in the midst of a rebuild, the Blackhawks were looking to return to their old form.

However, the “rough” narrative has continued into the beginning of this season. The Blackhawks are currently 3-6-2 through their first 10 games. Things just don’t seem to be clicking for the Blackhawks at this current moment and the decision to bench Brent Seabrook for a second consecutive game seems to have ruffled a few feathers.

However, the one positive element that the Blackhawks have under their belt. This is ultimately what can be deemed the “scariest” thing about them. Goaltender Robin Lehner.

Considering the circumstances, Lehner has played pretty well when in net for the Blackhawks. In his four starts, Lehner has a 2-2 record with a whopping .936 SV%. As Lehner was in the Vezina discussion last year and seems to be showing similar form, this may be one of the Blackhawks few saving graces.

Colorado Avalanche

Towards the start of the season, the Colorado Avalanche had set themselves within the cup contention narrative. During the offseason, the team were able to resign Mikko Rantanen and add players like Andre Burakovsky.

The team were showing some great promise, getting off to an 8-2-1 start. However, injuries have hit the Avalanche early with captain Gabriel Landeskog out indefinitely with a lower body injury, and Rantanen also suffering an ankle injury.

The “scary” element facing the Avalanche is how long they will remain out of the line up. With two thirds of the Avalanche’s top line out, the team cannot afford for both to be out long term.

Columbus Blue Jackets

After sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Playoffs, the Columbus Blue Jackets were on an all-time high. Fast forward a few months, and the Jackets are now without one of their star forwards and starting goaltender.

One would have expected this to be a significant knock back for the Blue Jackets, placing them almost within rebuild territory. However, this is not the case.

Whilst the team have gotten off to a modest 5-4-2 start, they have not slipped out of the playoff conversation. And this can be placed down to one thing – sheer determination.

The scariest thing about this Blue Jackets team this season is that they are playing angry. Much like the New York Islanders after losing John Tavares last season, the Jackets are playing with a chip on their shoulder. They had been counted out from the start and the team are aiming to prove us all wrong.

Should this narrative continue, the Blue Jackets could place themselves within a good spot later in the season.

Dallas Stars

Going into the season, many of us had the Dallas Stars pegged as a contender for the playoffs (at the very least). With the addition of players like Joe Pavelski, one would have expected the Stars to be good this season.

However, things have not gone to plan thus far. The Stars are currently sitting at a 5-8-1 record, one of the worst in the NHL right now. So what is going wrong for the men in green?

Simply put the Stars are yet to find the chemistry they need to make the magic happen. Inconsistent play is troubling the roster and it is a shame to see as the team deserve better.

However, one positive and probably the one of the “scariest” elements in the team right now is goaltending. Both Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin are putting up respectable numbers in the crease with a .916 and .901 SV% respectively. Whilst these are not earth shattering numbers, they are enough to mitigate the poor play of the team which can only help them later in the season.

Round Up

Overall it has been a pretty solid mix for the first ten teams within this article. Some have gotten off to great starts, and others are currently struggling. However, it will be interesting to see where they end up as the season develops.

Ten more teams will be evaluated in the next instalment of this series.

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