Five things we learned in the first five days of the NHL season
The Buffalo Sabres looked awful to start the season.
We are now five days into the NHL season. What we have seen is some fierce play, high scoring, and high energy overall. The Blackhawks and Maple Leafs are off to really hot start scoring 15 goals each in their first two games before facing off in an epic game where Toronto came back from being down 3-1 in the third period. The St Louis Blue are off to a blazing hot start as well going 3-0 the first five days of the season, where sans some third-period breakdowns they have beaten down the three teams they have faced. On the other end of the spectrum, seven teams are without a win, looking lost in the process.
Outside of wins and losses, we have learned a lot through five days of the season. Here are five key takeaways from the last five days:
- New York is not in a hockey state of mind. Three teams with six total points. Buffalo has looked the most dreadful amongst the three teams. They have scored only seven goals through three contests and allowed fifteen goals. Evander Kane has looked dynamic but sports a 0 plus-minus while Jack Eichel has looked dreadful posting a -3 with only one goal. The Islanders have allowed 101 shots through three games. Outside of Jon Tavares, the team lacked star power going into the season, and three games in that has been affirmed. Jordan Eberle can provide star power, he just needs to step up his game. The Rangers are sporting an above average power play and a well below average penalty kill to start the season. King Henrik bounced back after a dreadful start, shutting out the Canadiens on Sunday. Mats Zuccarello and Mika Zibanejad have looked solid, but beyond that, the team has lacked scoring early in the season.
- It may be a long season for the Stars and Sharks. Wholesale changes occurred in Dallas in the offseason where they shed both starting goalies from last season and made a change behind the bench. Ken Hitchcock should be able to build a great defense with the team as it is designed, but scoring was not an area of concern going into the season. A week into the season it appears it may be a concern. The Stars have managed just three goals through two games, which needs to be much better if it is going to do well in the power-packed Central division. The Sharks are off to an equally rough start. Martin Jones has not looked good thus far, and the team cannot seem to find the back of the net.
- That Vegas defense is legitimate. Vegas is off to a great start going 2-0, led by a really solid defensive effort. Fleury has looked great, sporting a .973 save percentage. The top defensive line of Garrison and Miller have looked active, and have been blocking a bunch of shots. Vegas started the season with two road games and return home tonight for their home opener. If they are going to make noise in the Pacific they will need to be better on the power play.
- Star power has been on display to start the season. Led by Alexander Ovechkin with seven goals in six periods, star power has been on full display this season. Evander Kane, Bradon Saad, Wayne Simmonds and Mika Zibanejad have four goals apiece. Superstars Connor Mcdavid and Auston Matthews have looked great as well this season. In addition to these great displays of offense, team play has been great this season as there are a handful of players with four or more assists. All of this has led to a really exciting start to the season.
- Rule changes and ref focuses have made a big impact on the season thus far. There were two main changes that went into effect this season that were almost guaranteed to make an impact early in the season. These two changes are that failed challenges now result in a minor infraction and that face-off violations also elicit a minor penalty. So far this has cut back on offside reviews and has sped up the game on face-offs. The most dramatic change seems to be a more strict enforcement of the equipment rules and a higher rate of slashing/ hooking calls.
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- First Five Days
- NHL Season
