It is hard to believe we are already a quarter into the 2016-17 NHL season. It feels like just yesterday it began. This has by far been one of my favorite seasons in the NHL. I'll admit, I'm biased as my hometown favorite, the Columbus Blue Jackets are having an amazing start to the season. However, so many different things have made the last two months great. From Auston Matthews shining with not one, not two, not three but four goals in his NHL debut game to the craziness of a 10-0 game when the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the undefeated in regulation Montreal Canadians, it's been a great season and I know there is only more to come.
It may be too early to start discussing playoffs but then again, it's never too early. Some teams, as expected, found their way to the top as their playoff chances are seeming somewhat definite unless something absolutely crazy happens. Defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins have started the season 14-7-3 with 31 points out of the possible 48. It is no surprise that Sidney Crosby is having a great season once again. Coming off the 2016 World Cup of Hockey Championship with Canada, Crosby had to sit out the first few games of the season with a concussion. However, this has not slowed him down as he has 16 goals and has only played 18 games this season. He leads the league with goals and you can only expect more to come. The Penguins always seem to be a playoff team and it is looking similar this year as they currently sit second in the Metropolitan division.
The Chicago Blackhawks have also shown they are in it to win it this year. They lead the league with a 16-6-3 record and 35 points of the possible 50. Patrick Kane is one of the stars of the show with 24 points so far this season, including eight goals. However, Marian Hossa and Artem Anisimov lead the team with goals as Hossa has 12 and Anisimov has 10. Duncan Keith has also been assisting in a big way with 17 assists, which is tied for the second most in the league behind Connor McDavid, however he has no goals in 25 games. This team has a lot of energy and as the lead not only their division, but the league, more is yet to come.
The Montreal Canadians have shown to also be solid through the first part of the season. They have lead the league for weeks until the Blackhawks took over the top spot this past week. In 23 games played, the Canadians have a 16-5-2 record and have 34 points of the possible 46 available. The team went ten games without losing in regulation until they traveled to Columbus and lost to the Blue Jackets in a 10-0 game. Notably, Carey Price, who has shown the be an All-Star for this team, was not in goal as Al Montoya played the entire game. Alex Galchenyuk leads the team with nine goals and 22 points. Shea Weber, with this being his first year with Montreal, has eight goals and 18 points. So far, this team looks very solid. However, they have also shown the same playoff potential last year until the Carey Price injury that seemed to have lead to the team missing the playoffs. Carey Price is tied with none other than Sergei Bobrovsky from the Blue Jackets for most wins with thirteen. Good health for this goaltender is helping the Canadiens playoffs hopes and keeps them at the top of the league.
The New York Rangers have also had a good start to the season as the sit on top of the Metropolitan division with a 16-8-1 record. Michael Grabner has 11 goals for the season as Rick Nash has 11. Kevin Hayes has 19 points for the season, ten of which being goals. The Rangers are expected to win in majority of their games. As for the playoff chances, it's possible but at the same time there have been many mistakes which have lead to losses for the Rangers which needs to be improved.
As for more of the shocking portion of the season, you cannot overlook the Columbus Blue Jackets. After starting the 2015-16 season with 0-8 record, improvements were made including hiring former Stanley Cup winning Coach John Tortorella. While the team missed playoffs, improvements were made during the later part of the season which made the future look bring as the new season began. However, the Chicago Blackhawks were the first team that they had defeated after the first two games of the season. This win seemed to skyrocket the Jackets as they have been winning, and in incredible fashion may I add, since. The Jackets have a 13-5-4 record and remain undefeated against division rivals including the Rangers and Capitals who are notably playoff worthy teams. After a seven game, at home win streak and a franchise best November, Sam Gagner has became a great addition for the Jackets as he has recorded 8 goals in 21 games. Cam Atkinson leads the team with 8 goals and 21 points. Our almighty Captain Nick Foligno has 9 goals for the season and has totalled 20 points.
Rookie Defenseman Zach Werenski was announced as the NHL Rookie of the Month of November. Werenski played for the Lake Erie Monsters, the Blue Jackets AHL team, who won the 2016 Calder Cup Championship. The young defenseman beat out Penguins goaltender Matt Murray (7-2-0), Toronto Maple Leafs center Mitch Marner (6-7—13 in 14 GP), Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (7-4—11 in 16 GP), along with several others for the title. He currently ranks fifth among all first-year players with 5-11—16 in 21 total games in 2016-17.
On to another team who has shown playoff potential which has shocked many, the Edmonton Oilers. The team currently sits 11th in the league with a 13-10-2. They have won 28 points of the possible 50 which have been available for them. They currently sit third in the Pacific division behind the Anaheim Ducks (12-8-4 with 28 points) and the San Jose Sharks (15-9-1 with 31 points).
If you do not know who Connor McDavid is, have you been living under a rock? He leads the team and league with 34 points in 25 games. He also leads the team with goals as he has 11. His incredible speed has helped this team as they hope to return to the playoffs and win the Stanley Cup. How long has it been since they won? 10 seasons.
Like I said, it's still really early in the season and it is difficult to have an exact picture of what teams would make the playoffs let alone win the Stanley Cup. However, in a partially biased but also looking at the statistics, the Columbus Blue Jackets surely look like the team who will not be giving up and should return to the playoffs this season and potentially win the Stanley Cup.
