Around the NHL: Week 1
The NHL season started overseas in Czech Republic with the NHL Global Series and blossomed into a week of action packed games. The week concluded in another classic between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames in the first Battle of Alberta of the season.
Here are some of the biggest storylines thus far.
The Final March
As a veteran core in Pittsburgh starts to see its age hit the tip of the iceberg, the looming question ‘Is this the final march?’ seems to be the biggest storyline.
The Penguins are trying to write off that storyline by not writing back, but rather by winning games in large fashion. They started their 2022-2023 campaign off 2-0 with 6-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes and another 6-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Lighting.
Sunday Scaries or Tank for Bedard?
With Sunday having no games this week, fans of the Devils, Blue Jackets, Senators, Canucks, Sharks, Wild and Coyotes can officially hit the early season panic button. All seven teams are winless to start this campaign and need to find their identity quick.
A couple of teams, especially the Devils and Coyotes, should really start to consider tanking for Connor Bedard, the highly talented prospect of the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League to add to their already large prospect pools.
Surprising Starts
The Detroit Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers have both turned some heads with early 2-0 starts to the season.
The young Red Wings core under the leadership of captain Dylan Larkin defeated both the Canadiens and Devils by three goals. Hockeytown was electric and octopuses were being tossed all over the ice this week rejuvenating the spirits of fans along with play from the talented young core.
John Tortorella was signed to be the new bench boss in Philly during the offseason, and after videos of a grueling training camp surfaced over social media, his team started off strong with two wins and no losses.
This strong start and the Philadelphia Phillies playoff run is starting to bring waves of electricity to the City of Brotherly Love.
The “Ancient” Teams
As young talent starts to invade the NHL, there are still some teams full of ancient artifacts.
The Washington Capitals, who have the second highest average age behind the Pittsburgh Penguins, are no longer looking like the team they have been in previous years.
Alex Ovechkin, the best goal-scorer of his generation, only has one point in three games which has led to the 1-2 start for the Caps. Tom Wilson and Nicklas Backstrom are both out to start this season due to injuries sustained in the postseason last year. The return of these two forwards could be the spark that reignites the flame in Washington.
The Boston Bruins are the seventh oldest team in the league currently and will only get older when they cut their roster down from 26 skaters to 23.
Despite their age, they have started the season strong with a 2-0 record. The reinstatement of long-time Bruin David Krejci has brought production to the lineup with key forward Brad Marchand absent due to injury.
Marchand is not the only key Bruin missing from the squad, key defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk are both out as well. All three players have played large roles in the past few seasons for the B’s and will most definitely provide instant impact when they return to the lineup.
Rookie Leaders
Matty Beniers is leading all rookies in points to start the season which could lead him to a victory in the Calder Trophy race at the end of the year. Even with his early lead, fans need to keep their eyes on Mason McTavish, Kent Johnson, Elmer Soderblom and Alexander Holtz and the big seasons they could have.
Although this guy will not light up the scoresheet with points, Logan Thompson, rookie goaltender of the Vegas Golden Knights may be the real winner of the Calder Trophy this year. He is the number one goalie for the team and has posted two wins, a .947 SV% (save percentage) and a 1.50 GAA (goals against average). Stats like this will catapult him to the top of the race if he can maintain them through the 82 game season.
Hayden Lewis is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email lewis1818hayden@gmail.com.
