How the West could be lost after Edmonton’s poor opener, and other thoughts: Duhatschek notebook

The Athletic’s very first NHL Power Rankings for the 2023-24 season have been unleashed and are now available for your viewing pleasure. Can a team bounce back from an embarrassing 8-1 defeat in their season opener and still go on to hoist the Stanley Cup? The answer is a definite “maybe.” However, if it does happen, it would be an unprecedented feat. But let’s not forget that imperfect beginnings have a rich history in the NHL. Just look at the St. Louis Blues, who were pummeled 5-1 by the Winnipeg Jets in their opener back in the 2018-19 season, yet still managed to capture the Cup. According to the NHL, winning a championship after a seven-goal loss in the first game has never been done before. Only seven teams in the history of the league have managed to win the Cup after losing their opener by at least three goals, and none have achieved the feat after a four-goal loss. Take a look at the chart below for a breakdown of teams that made a comeback after a significant loss in their opening game:

| SEASON | TEAM | OPPONENT | SCORE |
| — | — | — | — |
| 2018-19 | Winnipeg Jets | 5-1 |
| 2015-16 | Dallas Stars | 3-0 |
| 2010-11 | Phoenix Coyotes | 5-2 |
| 2005-06 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 5-2 |
| 1987-88 | Detroit Red Wings | 4-1 |
| 1979-80 | Philadelphia Flyers | 5-2 |
| 1971-72 | New York Rangers | 4-1 |
| 1948-49 | Boston Bruins | 4-1 |
| 1937-38 | New York Americans | 3-0 |

This will surely be something that the Edmonton Oilers will need to process over the next 72 hours after their humbling defeat against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. Will the Oilers be able to ignite a fire within themselves and have a feeding frenzy led by their star player Connor McDavid? Time will tell. But this loss has shed light on the two major concerns that will shadow the Oilers throughout the season. Firstly, can their goaltending tandem of Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner be strong enough to carry them through four playoff rounds? Last season proved otherwise. And secondly, does their defense, ranked from one to six, possess the ability to support the team’s talented forwards? The absence of Mattias Ekholm in the opener due to a lingering hip issue was a significant blow to the Oilers. Ekholm, who joined the team prior to last year’s trade deadline, completely transformed their blue line. While the Oilers may not have had the same depth and strength on defense as the Vegas Golden Knights, Ekholm provided stability and the capacity to shut down opponents physically. Without him, the Oilers are faced with real challenges on defense.

Fortunately, the beauty of an 82-game regular season is that there is plenty of time to iron out these issues. Teams will rise and fall, and opportunities for reinforcements through trades will present themselves. The perfect puzzle does not need to be fully assembled on Day 1. However, if Oilers Nation had hoped for the momentum of a solid exhibition season to carry over into the opener, they were sorely disappointed.

On the other hand, let’s take a look at the Winnipeg Jets, who also suffered a loss in their opener against the Calgary Flames. While the Jets’ defeat counts just as much as the Oilers’, it had a slightly different feel to it. Overall, the Jets outperformed the Flames and were unlucky not to secure a strong lead early on. Much credit goes to Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who is keen on proving himself after a subpar 2022-23 season, marked by an increase in goals against average and a decrease in save percentage. Markstrom’s strong presence in the net, combined with his confidence and anticipation, made it difficult for shooters to find an opening. In comparison to last year, where he appeared less imposing and self-assured, Markstrom’s performance in the opening period against the Jets was a notable improvement. He successfully weathered the storm of shots fired at him and even after letting in a disappointing goal, the team rallied behind him and ultimately secured a regulation victory with a late goal from Elias Lindholm. The game was further elevated by a touching tribute to Chris Snow, the team’s assistant GM who sadly lost his battle with ALS in September. The ceremonial opening faceoff was conducted by Snow’s family, and the Jets gave their all to ensure a memorable and victorious tribute.

Last season, the Jets narrowly clinched the final playoff spot ahead of the Flames, mainly because of their exceptional performance in overtime and shootouts, while the Flames struggled in these situations. If the playoff race becomes a heated battle once again, the result of this opening night matchup could significantly affect the final standings.

In other Jets news, the team made headlines with the signing of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele to identical eight-year, $59 million contract extensions. This unexpected move sent shockwaves through not only the Western Conference but the entire NHL just one day before the start of the 2023-24 season. Many teams that may have considered Hellebuyck as a potential trade deadline option now need to explore alternative plans, as the goalie’s long-term commitment to the Jets has solidified his position in the team. This also applies to the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, and Los Angeles Kings, who were relying on their respective goaltenders as potential future options. Scheifele’s signing also eliminates the possibility of him being scooped up by teams like the Boston Bruins or Carolina Hurricanes, who may have been eyeing him as a reliable second-line center. While player swaps are common occurrences near the trade deadline, top-tier centers and goaltenders remain scarce commodities.

What struck me the most about these signings is the evolving role of an NHL general manager, which now encompasses the ability to effectively communicate and make compelling sales pitches. Face-to-face meetings and demonstrating value to players have become crucial elements in contract negotiations. For instance, the Flames managed to keep Mikael Backlund from entertaining other offers by making him captain and showing him how highly they regarded him. Similar trends are seen in Ottawa, where long-term deals have been granted to several key players, and in Buffalo, where defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power recently committed to long-term contracts worth a significant amount. It’s clear that players value not just financial arrangements but also the sense of being valued by their team. These aspects are often overlooked but can greatly impact a player’s decision-making process.

So, as we delve into the new NHL season, filled with twists and turns, unexpected victories, and surprising defeats, let us remain captivated by the indescribable charm and uncertainty that only hockey can offer.

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Sarah Anderson

Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.