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The action on the ice is getting fast and furious as the campaign is officially into the next phase. Jets are still setting a historic pace, Ovi is chasing Gretz while marchin' the Caps up the Metro' standings, and several teams are beginning to build a core across both conferences. All kinds of different cores, with different atmospheres. Gracefully, the frozones are limited... for now.
We surely still have some clubs under arctic temperatures; most of them are continuing where they left off last season, the Sharks, the Blackhawks... then there is the Predators. All in all, most of the league has been solid to good to open the season, with just six clubs under 15 points. A theme different to the NBA and NFL. We have a handful of clubs that are rising faster than the pact; looking to reach the stratosphere by the time winter begins its' chills.
Winnipeg looks to be hovered by a GRS. Jets logged in the best start to a season in league history, and despite losing two of three by a combined 1-9 score, the Jets are the hottest team in puck. The fact that the Jets have a +31 points differential; AFTER the past two losses is wild. Jets are soaring, with the top three lines shining. Scott Arniel has the perfect structure rockin', and you have to love the play of Adam Lowry manning the third line. Production across the board; and the squad has reaped the benefits.
It's not only the Jets who are scorching early on. Hurricanes and Capitals are just as hot, with the Wild; Panthers; and Stars setting hot atmospheres as well. Greenhouse effects make up the top of the league standings, making the product great as we roll deeper into the fresh campaign. The product is great, the comp' is strong, and the stars are beginning to let their wings spread. Nečas is killing it, rising back to his value to help the Hurricanes swirl their 13-4 winds. Ovechkin is continuing to test father-time in his quest for Gretz, as he currently is tied atop the league in goals (13), to power the surge with Dylan Strome. Can't forget about Kirill Kaprizov, whom is arguably playing like the best skater in Chel to push the Minnesota's 11-6 (11-3-3) start.
"The Thrill" is thrilling to say the least. Kap currently ranks 2nd among all skaters in plus/minus; ranks 2nd in points; is tied-3rd most in goals (13 skaters); and ranks 4th in assists (20). Kaprizov has been sickening good... stone-cold to the bone good. Wild move forward on his command, no doubt. Minnesota will only win more if the cat can continue his elite play; I currently have him atop my Skater Power-Rankings:
We have a lengthy list of things to be impressed about regarding the Capitals. The club made several moves during the off-season to bolster the team from what was an unexpected trip to the playoffs, and are seeing some of the new additions produce out of the opening frame of the campaign. Goalie Logan Thompson being the most impressive as he opens his debut season in DC with an 8-0-1 record. Thompson could be a huge get if his play can continue throughout... he's an obvious upgrade over Kuemper (now in LA), and over Lindgren, who can return to a number-2 role (started highest % of games in net for WAS last season). Thompson has been huge in the net to start, but his value looks up at Dylan Strome and the ageless wonder Ovi. The hottest duo in puck.
Geez, has Strome and Ovechkin been electric to power the top line, and the team. Ovechkin, in year 20, is on one of the best scoring paces of his career as he has already netted 13 goals in 17 games, putting him on pace for over 60 (based on 82 GP)... which would mean he is on pace to pass Gretzky, this season! Ovi has never had a season (discount COVID year) with under 20 goals; that streak looks to be continuing. Ovechkin has 8 goals across the month thus far, scoring a goal in 5 of the last 8 games, including a hatty the other night. Ovi is finding the right windows & areas to shoot, thanks to Dylan Strome, who has been bloody fantastic to open. Strome is knocking on Kaprizov's door for the top skater honor going into December.
Dylan Strome is playing in the stratosphere right now, joining a select few. Strome sits alone in the lead for highest plus/minus among all skaters (+16), and is tied-5th with Kucherov in total points with 26 (among 7 skaters), with 21 of the 26 being dishes- ranking him 3rd in Chel in assists. Strome has assisted on all of Ovechkin's goals but one, this season. On top of his elite passing, Strome has been a top-30 faceoff man thus far, and has a solid 14 blocks. Exceptional in all facets. Capitals can't ask for more from the top-line, and the duo specifically. Arguably, a top performing pairing right now. Lets see how the duo can end the month; the Caps have a strong slate of comp' as they take on the Panthers, Avs, Lightning, and Devils (x2).
Avalanche continue to be one of the rockiest (no pun intended) and inconsistent clubs in the league. That theme is in full-effect again here in the fresh campaign. Gracefully for Avs fans, that inconsistency isn't because of Nathan MacKinnon; he has done a positive flip in comparison to the flicking of the switch of the team winning and losing. MacKinnon has put the poor October start in the rear-mirror, producing with greatly more value in November. Avs may not even be 4-3 this month without his elevation in the logs.
MacKinnon has been a maestro dishin' the puck, and now has his overall game resembling his scoring numbers. MacKinnon has lowered the giveaways, raising his plus/minus potential. In the midst, he is the game's best passer right now, leading the league in assists, points, and is 2nd in power-play assists. The cat has 13 assists in 7 games played this month, with a bloody 5-assists game, and two triple-assists games. MacKinnon has seven multi-assists games this season, and has an assist in 14 of his 18 games played. Avs are obviously just 1-3 in those games. I always judge MacKinnon's game tough, due to his rough play, and giveaway numbers. Which is why he didn't rank on my first three skater power-rankings. Both of those aspects have been improved, thus has his game, and his position in my rankings. MacKinnon is thriving right now, playing elite puck, and the Avs need every damn bit of it.
All in all, the NHL's opening weeks have been consistent and somewhat predictable... in a good way. Still some surprises mixed in, no doubt. Senators and Sabres have been surprisingly good early on out of the Atlantic. Capitals are playing way above expectations. Predators suck, and the Bruins look to have regressed. Many surprises; many assumptions turned true. Avs are still inconsistent. Top-10 is value playing to value. Defending champions are playing to standard. Plus many of the expected top skaters, are playing like top skaters. I am oh so pumped to see how the rest of the month goes with many highlighted matchups to be played. Teams are gaining traction, ready to switch gears into over-drive. My current power rankings (11/15):
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