Sustainability:

Hot Starts in the NHL

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

11/9/2021

       With the NHL early season in full swing there are several teams that have jumped out to quick starts. As these teams have quickly separated themselves and in some cases rewrote record books for early season success. The Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Edmonton Oilers are the three teams that will be focused on in this piece. As these three clubs have raced out to an early lead atop the NHL standings. This piece will look to provide a few facts surrounding these teams hot starts to the season. While discussing the sustainability of these club’s success going forward.

A.    Florida Panthers: 12 games played, 10-1-1 record, 21 points

-        For the Florida Panthers their record along with their statistics show them to be the best team in the NHL thus far. They have a league best +21 goal differential, while having scored the most goals in the league with 49 tallies already. The Panthers are led by the likes of 2021 Selke Trophy winner and Captain Alexsander Barkov, who leads the team in points with 13. They have gotten contributions across their roster as well with 9 different players with 3 or more goals already this year. Add the fact that they have gotten elite goaltending from their tandem of Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight and you have a team with the best record in the league.

Sustainability: As far as the Panthers chances to sustain their elite level play, they are the most likely to continue this run of the three teams. They are a team with stars like Barkov, defenseman Aaron Ekblad, and winger Jonathan Huberdeau. Along with quality depth up and down the lineup like forwards Sam Reinhart, Anthony Duclair, and defenseman Brandon Montour. They are getting a healthy and top level Bobrovsky in net and Spencer Knight is proving to be arguably the best backup in the sport. They are a well- oiled machine with all the parts needed to win a Stanley Cup. Now they may come down to earth a bit, but they are well positioned in all areas to be a top Cup contender.

B.    Carolina Hurricanes: 10 games played, 9-1-0 record, 18 points

-        The Hurricanes own the second most points in the league at 18 with the soon to be discussed Edmonton Oilers. They own a +19-goal differential second to only Florida and have allowed the fewest goals in the league at just 20. The Hurricanes are a team with a balanced offensive attack, coupled with a strong defensive acumen. Their offensive leader is Andrei Svechnikov with 7 goals and 14 points. They have 4 other players with at least 3 goals and have just one player in their entire lineup with a negative plus/minus. Speaking to how every player contributes offensively, while they are all responsible defensively. Plus, the fact they have seen off-season signee Frederik Andersen find his top goaltender form again, posting an 8-1-0 record, 1.83 goals against average (GAA), and .939 save percentage. Carolina is continuing to build off their success the last 2 seasons and is set to make a deep playoff run.

Sustainability: Carolina’s chances to sustain their success are very viable due to looking back at their recent seasons. They continue to excel in their aggressive forechecking style and have added more offensive punch with their acquisitions over the past two years. If players like Vincent Trocheck continue to put up points to support their top line in the scoring department. As well as Andersen continuing to play well in goal to solidify that position. The only thing that could hurt them is injuries to their defense which will test their organizational depth.

C.    Edmonton Oilers: 10 games played, 9-1-0 record, 18 points

-        Edmonton as mentioned is tied with Carolina for second most points in the league. They have a +17-goal differential, scoring 45 goals, second to only Florida for most in the NHL. Edmonton is led by arguably the best scoring duo in the sport in Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. As they currently are one and two in scoring in the NHL, with Draisaitl having 23 points and McDavid 22 points. The offseason addition of Zach Hyman has helped add some needed secondary scoring punch as he has 7 goals already this season. In goal Mikko Koskinen has established himself as the team’s number one goalie with a 2.54 GAA and .920 save percentage. Solidifying yet another question mark Edmonton had coming into the season.

Sustainability: Now of these three teams Edmonton is the team I have the most concern about their ability to sustain this hot start. While they do have two of the most dynamic offensive players in the sport, secondary scoring is still a question. Outside of Hyman and Jesse Puljujarvi scoring has been inconsistent from the rest of the lineup. They will need players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who has still yet to score a goal to step up. Also, it will be key to watch and see if Koskinen can remain healthy and sustain his play for a full season and through a playoff run.

            All three of these teams are off to great starts and must remain consistent to continue these winning trends. Between the three as I stated I believe Edmonton is most likely to fall back to earth a bit. While Florida I see as the most likely of the three to be atop the league this NHL season. It will be interesting to see if all them remain hot or if cold streaks are ahead. Either way they are the headliners for what looks to be a very intriguing NHL season.