NHL Roundup: Predators' Struggles and Emerging Stars
The NHL season is in full swing, yet not every team is finding its stride. Among the franchises facing a tough start are the Nashville Predators, who find themselves languishing at the bottom of the standings alongside the Montreal Canadiens. With a record of 5-9-2 and a concerning minus-22 goal differential at five-on-five play, it's clear the Predators are far from reaching their potential.
General Manager Barry Trotz, who made significant offseason moves by acquiring Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei, has yet to see those investments pay off on the ice. The efforts to bolster the team's performance have not translated into victories, leading to frustration for both the management and fans alike.
Across the league, individual performances shed light on who's thriving and who's struggling. Winnipeg Jets' Connor Hellebuyck stands out, leading the NHL with an impressive 12.6 goals saved above average and a .934 save percentage. In contrast, Jacob Markstrom of the Calgary Flames ranks 18th in goals saved above average and 25th in save percentage, showcasing a dip from the league's elite goaltending standards. Further down, Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues finds himself trailing behind Markstrom in both metrics, indicating challenges in net for St. Louis.
Amid these goaltending narratives, the Florida Panthers are enjoying a successful stretch, riding high on a seven-game winning streak. This positive momentum contrasts with other teams' struggles, providing Panthers fans much to celebrate.
On the offensive front, the Dallas Stars continue to shine with Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment contributing significantly, tallying 11 goals and 20 assists. For the Minnesota Wild, Marco Rossi has proved to be a vital asset, recording four goals and nine assists while playing alongside stars Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello.
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers have seen Chris Kreider net eight goals, though he's yet to record an assist, while Adam Fox facilitates play with 12 assists this season. Over in Washington, Dylan Strome displays strong chemistry with Alex Ovechkin, assisting on ten of Ovechkin's goals within his 18 total assists this season.
The Vegas Golden Knights have become a force to reckon with, boasting a 12.0% shooting percentage, second in the NHL. Their offensive prowess is further highlighted by scoring 44 goals on 30.5 expected goals, signaling a team performing above expectations as they pursue another successful season.
The Colorado Avalanche also draw attention with Nathan MacKinnon leading them to a plus-2 goal differential and an impressive 57.3% expected goals share during five-on-five play. However, not all news is positive, as Edmonton Oilers' Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins grapple with underperformance, and Ottawa Senators' Jake Sanderson and Boston Bruins' Charlie Coyle face defensive challenges, reflected in negative goal differentials.
Matvei Michkov's situation is another talking point, as the Philadelphia Flyers opted to make him a healthy scratch for two consecutive games, raising questions among fans and analysts about his future role with the team.
The Pittsburgh Penguins' recent 7-1 loss to the Dallas Stars underscores the volatility and unpredictability inherent in the sport, magnifying the pressures and challenges teams regularly face. Similarly, Connor Bedard has hit a rough patch, failing to score in seven consecutive games for the Chicago Blackhawks, while Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets deals with a modest output of two assists in his last seven games amidst a 38.0% expected goals share.
As the season progresses, the narrative of struggle versus success continues to unfold. For teams and players alike, maintaining momentum or reversing fortunes will be at the forefront of their agendas as they strive for better results in the NHL's competitive landscape.