The NHL season doesn’t have a defined quarter mark, but most teams have now played around 20 games, and that’s a good indication of where they stand. This is especially important as we head into the playoffs and some teams start to take the lead.
With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, the playoff race is already beginning to take shape. Fans of teams with rough records should be concerned, while those supporting rolling squads can feel confident in their path to success. Below you’ll find our letter grades for the performance of all 32 teams so far this season.
The Anaheim Ducks have shown significant improvement from last season, despite a 9-13-0 record. Rookies Pavel Mintyukov and Leo Carlsson have contributed significantly, while Mason McTavish has broken out in his second full NHL season. This squad is not amazing, but the progress is clear, even as last season’s offensive threats, Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras, have struggled.
The Arizona Coyotes have a negative win-loss record, but their positive goal differential has kept them in the playoff race mix. Rookie Logan has promise, and their shooting percentage is inflated, suggesting potential for negative regression.
The Boston Bruins deserve credit for maintaining a strong 14-4-3 start despite the retirement of their top two centers in the offseason. Goaltending has been key, with Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman proving their talent. The addition of Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle has also bolstered the team.
The Buffalo Sabres have failed to live up to rising expectations, entering the season with a record of 10-10-2. The Calgary Flames have struggled to win games due to poor goaltending and lackluster offensive performance, and may be heading toward an in-season sale.
The Carolina Hurricanes, with a record of 13-8-0, have struggled to keep the puck out of their net, despite maintaining elite possession numbers and some strong offensive play. The Chicago Blackhawks have not been impressive, but have met expectations. The Colorado Avalanche, with the best record and winning percentage in the Central Division, have seen a slump in Nathan MacKinnon’s scoring but continue to perform well.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, despite strong young talent, have been chaotic on the ice, while the Dallas Stars’ elite penalty kill and goaltending have kept them competitive. The Detroit Red Wings have posted a stronger than expected record augmented by the addition of Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.
The Edmonton Oilers have shown some life recently but currently deserve a failing grade due to their 8-12-1 record. The Florida Panthers have followed up their Stanley Cup Final run with a solid start, controlling the play and showing physicality on the ice. The Los Angeles Kings are a strong team, leading in expected goal rate and high-danger chance percentage with standout goaltending from Cam Talbot.
The Minnesota Wild are struggling with disastrous goaltending and special teams, with some underperforming top offensive players. The Montreal Canadiens’ points percentage has improved, but significant improvement is still needed. Losing Kirby Dach early in the season has hurt the Canadiens’ chances of a successful season.
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.
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