Finally. After an offseason that felt like it lasted an eternity, regular season NHL hockey is back. While it’s much too early to draw any grand conclusions about any of the 2023-2024 squads, there have been plenty of early storylines to keep us entertained.
Around the NHL
Record Start for Defending Champs
The Vegas Golden Knights have picked up right where they left off in June. Off to a 6-0-0 start, they’re off to the best start ever for a defending Stanley Cup Champion. They’re already 6 points clear of 2nd place in the Pacific Division. Their schedule has been favorable with 3 of their victories coming against the Ducks, Sharks and Blackhawks. You can only play the teams on the schedule though, and the Knights have taken care of business with the schedule that’s been put in front of them.
The concerning bit for the defending champs is that their underlying numbers aren’t as good as their record. They’re treading water in 5v5 xG% despite the relatively easy schedule and have been getting by with very strong finishing and goaltending.
New Look Bruins Keep Winning
The Bruins were supposed to struggle after Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci decided to hang up the skates this summer. Apparently no one told the Bruins. They’re 4-0-0 as they look to start a new chapter.
The Bruins look much like their old selves, in fact, as they’ve tilted the ice heavily in their favor at 5v5. Excellent goaltending has helped ensure that that advantage has translated into wins.
Stick Taps for Travis Dermott
When the NHL announced a ban on pride tape prior to the season, the decision was widely panned as a big step backward for inclusivity. There were rumblings that a number of players planned to use the tape anyway. Travis Dermot became the first player to use it in a game since the ban was announced. The ball is now firmly back in the NHL’s court as we wait to see what, if anything, they’ll do next.
Key Injuries
Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) – The Lightning’s top puck stopper underwent back surgery during the preseason and is expected to miss the first two months of the season. Jonas Johansson has been tasked with holding down the fort until Vasilevskiy returns and it’s not gone great thus far.
Kirby Dach (MTL) – Dach was injured in the Canadiens home opener and will miss the entire 23/24 season with a torn ACL and MCL. It’s a tough blow for the 22 year old who looked like he had taken a step forward last season.
Victor Arvidsson (LAK) – Arvidsson was suffered a back injury during preseason and the Kings have placed him on LTIR. The Kings have depleted their depth via the trades they’ve executed over the past year and losing a proven producer puts added pressure for a prospect to step up.
Who’s Hot
Evgeni Malkin (PIT) – Malkin has 8 points in 5 games to start the season. 6 of those points (4G, 2A) have come at 5v5. Among skaters with at least 50 5v5 minutes this season, he’s 2nd in 5v5 G/60 and 1st in 5v5 P/60.
Jake Sanderson (OTT) – The young defenseman has been an impactful player for the Senators in Ottawa’s good start. Sanderson has 6 points in all situations through 5 games. At 5v5, he has the 3rd best P/60 among defenders with at least 50 5v5 minutes.
Karel Vejmekla (ARI) – Vejmelka has a 0.951 all situations save percentage through 3 games and has yet to give up a 5v5 goal against. The Coyotes could be back in the playoff race this season and the strong start from their #1 netminder has them off on the right foot.
Who’s Not
Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) – The usually dependable Hellebuyck has struggled out of the gate. A good outing against Edmonton Saturday night pulled his SV% up to 0.906 SV% in 4 games after signing a seven year extension on the eve of the season. It’s early, but the Jets need more from #37.
Gustav Forsling (FLA) – Forsling has yet to record a point this season through 5 games. The Panthers have struggled to generate chances with Forsling on the ice as well, as his 2.13 5v5 on-ice xGF/60 is 131st among defenders with at least 50 5v5 minutes. With Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour on the shelf, the Panthers need more from Forsling to keep pace in the Atlantic.
Tyler Bertuzzi (TOR) – One of the Maple Leafs big offseason acquisitions, Bertuzzi just 1 goal through 5 games and he’s still looking for his first 5v5 point. His 5v5 on-ice xGF/60 of 3.47 is 40th among forwards with at least 50 5v5 minutes, so it’s probably a matter of time before the chances start going in.
Division Spotlight: Atlantic
With rebuilds in Detroit, Ottawa and Buffalo seemingly gaining some traction, the four incumbent playoff teams in the Atlantic Division were expected to be less comfortable in their quest for playoff berths this season. Through the first two weeks of the season, their positions look slightly more tenuous. The Red Wings are off to a hot start with a 4-1 record. The Senators are off to a 3-2 start and sit in third place in the division. The Bruins, who were supposed to feel the loss of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are undefeated and look the most comfortable of the division’s incumbent playoff teams. The Lightning have stumbled out of the gate with Andrei Vasilevskiy on the shelf, while the Panthers are off to another lackluster start and the Maple Leafs are just 3-2 to start the campaign. The Sabres haven’t found their footing yet, while the rebuilding Canadiens have a 2-1-1 record. It’s still very early but if the winds of change were blowing prior to the season, they’re gusting a bit harder now.
