NHL Top 10: Nov. 11
1. Vegas Golden Knights (12-2-0) 22 Points
After falling short of making the postseason last year, the Golden Knights have come out swinging in the 22-2023 season under new head coach, Bruce Cassidy.
Cassidy has played his cards right and gambles with a depth-filled four lines each and every game. Vegas has seven 10-point scorers in 13 games, including Jack Eichel who has been on a rampage following his neck surgery last November. The Knights are backed by a 1A/1B goaltender tandem between stud rookie, Logan Thompson (.934 SV%) and Adin Hill (.925 SV%)
2. Boston Bruins (11-2-0) 22 Points
Who would’ve thought that the Bruins would be where they are in the standings with such an old aging core? Probably nobody.
David Pastranak, who is on a UFA at the conclusion of this season, has been tearing up the league, scoring 20 points in 13 games. Captain Patrice Bergeron continues to provide consistent production on the top line in his 19th season with the Bruins.
Fans feared that the team’s production would be slowed without defenseman Charlie McAvoy and winger Brad Marchand to start the season, but the Bruins have been skating with a breath of fresh air under new head coach, Jim Montgomery.
3. New Jersey Devils (10-3-0) 18 Points
New Jersey has fallen well short of making the postseason since 2018, but seems to have found new life in their current campaign, led by winger Jesper Bratt who has remained in the league’s top-10 scorers since the beginning of the season.
Recently acquired goaltender, Vitek Vanecek has held it down between the pipes for the Devils, who have struggled in recent years with goaltending. The production of the Devils’ identity line, the “BMW” line has greatly increased with Nate Bastian, Michael McLeoud, and Miles Wood scoring a combined 20 points in 13 games.
4. New York Islanders (9-5-0) 18 Points
Following quite the quiet offseason in New York, not much was expected of the Islanders heading into this season.
The playmaking of Matt Barzal alongside with the consistent goalscoring of Anders Lee and Brock Nelson have proved critics wrong and has been crucial to the Isle’s success as of late. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin continues to make a statement for New York’s best goaltender, sitting on a .933 save percentage after 10 games played. Perhaps Barry Trotz was the issue in Long Island.
5. Seattle Kraken (8-4-2) 18 Points
Seattle may not have any superstars or flashy players, but it does play as a well-oiled machine and roll with four deep lines.
Goaltender Martin Jones has returned to his old self, showing glimpses of his time in San Jose where the Sharks went to back-to-back conference finals. Seattle continues to climb their way up the league rankings in their sophomore season and leads the league with 20 different players registering at least one point.
6. Winnipeg Jets (8-3-1) 17 Points
After long-time Jets’ head coach, Paul Marice stepped down following seven seasons of underachieving, Rick Bowness has come in and implemented a new winning culture in the Winnipeg locker room.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has held it down in net this year for Winnipeg, boasting a .938 save percentage. Much of the Jets’ roster has stayed the same since last season, but have improved their overall play under Bowness.
7. Carolina Hurricanes (8-3-1) 17 Points
Scoring is coming in bunches in Carolina with Martin Necas tearing up the stat sheet with 17 points in 12 games, and Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov both with over a point per game average.
Goaltending remains worrisome in Carolina, so if the Canes want to stay in the top 10, Brent Burns and the rest of the defense will have to continue to lock it down.
8. Dallas Stars (8-4-1) 17 Points
Vezina frontrunning goaltender, Jake Oettinger has been the Stars’ shining star in net, leading the league with a .952 save percentage and has helped Dallas to tie with Winnepeg for the least amount of goals allowed in the league.
Newly re-signed defensemen, Jason Robertson continues to grow into an elite two-way player, while the core of Joe Pavelski, Jamie Benn, and Tyler Seguin continue to produce for head coach Peter DeBoer.
9. Detroit Red Wings (7-3-3) 17 Points
Despite a rough start to the Red Wings’ season, Detroit has found a way to climb its way back up the standings and finds itself at the number nine spot of this week's rankings.
Sophomore-year players, Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond have picked up right where they left off after last season, and newly acquired goaltender Ville Husso holds it down in the blue paint with a .941 save percentage.
10. Toronto Maple Leafs (7-4-3) 17 Points
The Maple Leafs have arguably one of the best first lines in hockey, with Auston Matthews centering Mitch Marner and Alexander Kerfoot. The line pairing averages around 2.5 points per game and Matthews specifically provides a scoring threat from all over the ice due to his electric speed and puck handling.
Critics feared goaltending would be an issue for Toronto to start the year but Ilya Samsonov, who was acquired from the Capitals in the offseason has been solid through eight games played with a .921 save percentage.
Owen Gelber is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email omg5144@psu.edu.
