My January 15th and 21st posts gave some thoughts and observations regarding this hockey season as the All-Star Break approaches. Now, here come a few more:
Juggernauts
Over the course of an 82-game season, most teams will undergo some changes and experience both good streaks and bad. And at the time those changes and streaks are occurring, it's easy to place either too much or too little emphasis on them. But eventually they should cancel each other out and the teams that qualify for the playoffs will have earned it, and then the post-season will reveal who the best team really is.
Today, looking at the entirety of the season up to now and ignoring current streaks, there are three clubs that have looked like true contenders the whole time: the defending champion Blues, defending runners-up Bruins, and 2017-18 champion Capitals.
Of course these clubs are not perfect -- perfection is impossible -- but they have been consistent tours de force whose many strengths far outweigh their scant flaws. That, combined with their proven playoff chops, means they should be considered the best bets to be on top come June.
However...
...just 'cause they currently deserve the "season-to-date juggernaut" label date does not mean they will still deserve it when the regular season draws to a close in 2+ months. Nor does it mean it's a sure thing that one of them will ultimately be who drinketh from the grail.
These teams' play could falter, or their strengths might not be able to outweigh their weaknesses all the way to the end. Plus, perhaps even more to the point, 'tis not as if they are the only contenders out there.
Colorado, Dallas, Tampa Bay, and Carolina all look formidable... anybody who takes his eye off the Pittsburgh Penguins does so at his peril... Vegas and Calgary are likely to rediscover their mojo before long, and Nashville too... and it seems like every year at least one unhyped and underdiscussed squad surprises the experts by rising up and making a run (I'm lookin' at you this time around, Florida and Philly and even Columbus).
Timex
Speaking of how you should never take your eye off the Pittsburgh Penguins, that franchise reminds of the saying from those old Timex commercials: "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking."
For years now the Pens have been extremely thin on the blue line, while also seeming to always get socked with key injuries to their forwards and goalies; and this season is no different, seeing as how Sidney Crosby (arguably the best hockey player ever) missed 26 games due to injury and Jake Guentzel (coming off a career-best 40-goal campaign) is expected to miss four months due to shoulder surgery he underwent on New Year's Eve. However the Pens remain constantly in contention, even winning two Cups in the last four calendar years; and this season is no different seeing as how they currently occupy second place in the Metropolitan Division and have the fourth-best record in the 31-team NHL.
Yes Crosby missed those 26 contests, but he is producing more than a point per game, and is averaging more primary assists per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 than anyone else in the league. Oh, and across those 26 games Crosby missed, Evgeni Malkin piled up 38 points. And with Bryan Rust now on Malkin's wing, Rust is suddenly averaging 1.19 PPG after having averaged 0.45 for his entire career beforehand. Meanwhile, backup goaltender Tristan Jarry is playing so well that he's stolen the starting gig from decorated Matt Murray.
And do I need to remind you that this team underwent a significant downgrade during the offseason when they replaced potential Hall of Famer Phil Kessel (82 points last year) with Alex Galchenyuk (41 last year)? But like I said above, they nonetheless have the fourth-best record in the league.
The Pens, like a Timex watch, are a finely tuned machine that does its job right all the time. They cannot help but excel, because excellent is what they are.
Juggernauts
Over the course of an 82-game season, most teams will undergo some changes and experience both good streaks and bad. And at the time those changes and streaks are occurring, it's easy to place either too much or too little emphasis on them. But eventually they should cancel each other out and the teams that qualify for the playoffs will have earned it, and then the post-season will reveal who the best team really is.
Today, looking at the entirety of the season up to now and ignoring current streaks, there are three clubs that have looked like true contenders the whole time: the defending champion Blues, defending runners-up Bruins, and 2017-18 champion Capitals.
Of course these clubs are not perfect -- perfection is impossible -- but they have been consistent tours de force whose many strengths far outweigh their scant flaws. That, combined with their proven playoff chops, means they should be considered the best bets to be on top come June.
However...
...just 'cause they currently deserve the "season-to-date juggernaut" label date does not mean they will still deserve it when the regular season draws to a close in 2+ months. Nor does it mean it's a sure thing that one of them will ultimately be who drinketh from the grail.
These teams' play could falter, or their strengths might not be able to outweigh their weaknesses all the way to the end. Plus, perhaps even more to the point, 'tis not as if they are the only contenders out there.
Colorado, Dallas, Tampa Bay, and Carolina all look formidable... anybody who takes his eye off the Pittsburgh Penguins does so at his peril... Vegas and Calgary are likely to rediscover their mojo before long, and Nashville too... and it seems like every year at least one unhyped and underdiscussed squad surprises the experts by rising up and making a run (I'm lookin' at you this time around, Florida and Philly and even Columbus).
Timex
Speaking of how you should never take your eye off the Pittsburgh Penguins, that franchise reminds of the saying from those old Timex commercials: "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking."
For years now the Pens have been extremely thin on the blue line, while also seeming to always get socked with key injuries to their forwards and goalies; and this season is no different, seeing as how Sidney Crosby (arguably the best hockey player ever) missed 26 games due to injury and Jake Guentzel (coming off a career-best 40-goal campaign) is expected to miss four months due to shoulder surgery he underwent on New Year's Eve. However the Pens remain constantly in contention, even winning two Cups in the last four calendar years; and this season is no different seeing as how they currently occupy second place in the Metropolitan Division and have the fourth-best record in the 31-team NHL.
Yes Crosby missed those 26 contests, but he is producing more than a point per game, and is averaging more primary assists per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 than anyone else in the league. Oh, and across those 26 games Crosby missed, Evgeni Malkin piled up 38 points. And with Bryan Rust now on Malkin's wing, Rust is suddenly averaging 1.19 PPG after having averaged 0.45 for his entire career beforehand. Meanwhile, backup goaltender Tristan Jarry is playing so well that he's stolen the starting gig from decorated Matt Murray.
And do I need to remind you that this team underwent a significant downgrade during the offseason when they replaced potential Hall of Famer Phil Kessel (82 points last year) with Alex Galchenyuk (41 last year)? But like I said above, they nonetheless have the fourth-best record in the league.
The Pens, like a Timex watch, are a finely tuned machine that does its job right all the time. They cannot help but excel, because excellent is what they are.
Young Bloods
The grizzled Alex Ovechkin ain't planning on surrendering his "greatest shooter ever" claim any time soon, but there are plenty of youngsters nipping at his heels. As I type these words, 23-year-old David Pastrnak leads the league with 37 goals while 22-year-old Auston Matthews is tied with Ovechkin in the #2 spot at 34 apiece. Of course Pastrnak and Matthews have both been outstanding shooters all along, but this season they have graduated from outstanding to lethal. The same can be said for Colorado Avalanche C Nathan McKinnon, who, at the ripe old age of 24, currently occupies the #3 spot with 30 goals to his name.
If you're counting, that is four players who have already put the biscuit in the basket 30+ times before the All-Star Break even arrives. Just three years ago, the 2016-17 campaign ended with Sidney Crosby's 44 goals for the entire season being tops in the league, and only two other players managing to even get to 40... so, yes, when it comes to scoring rates, the times they have a-changed.
If you are really into bean-counting players' ages, the next three goal-scorers after McKinnon are Jack Eichel, Connor McDavid, and Leon Draisitl, who are 23, 23, and 24 respectively. Then comes Artemi Panarin at a positively ancient 28, followed by Patrick Kane (31!) who is in turn followed by 23-year-old Kyle Connor. All told, this means that seven of the top ten goal-scorers in the NHL are under the age of 25.
My Lightning Indulgence
It's hard to believe, but I have barely mentioned my favorite team in these three hockey posts I've churned out this month. Rest assured, that will change soon because I have a lot to say about this edition of the Tampa Bay Lightning!
If you are really into bean-counting players' ages, the next three goal-scorers after McKinnon are Jack Eichel, Connor McDavid, and Leon Draisitl, who are 23, 23, and 24 respectively. Then comes Artemi Panarin at a positively ancient 28, followed by Patrick Kane (31!) who is in turn followed by 23-year-old Kyle Connor. All told, this means that seven of the top ten goal-scorers in the NHL are under the age of 25.
My Lightning Indulgence
It's hard to believe, but I have barely mentioned my favorite team in these three hockey posts I've churned out this month. Rest assured, that will change soon because I have a lot to say about this edition of the Tampa Bay Lightning!
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