After just a few weeks into the 2013-14 season NHL fans across the world have already witnessed some amazing hockey. From coast to coast, the new conference alignment is making the competition a bit more heated. This is great for us hockey fans, but a little nerve wracking for the NHL teams fighting for a playoff spot. With the new playoff requirements there is little room for error among teams. These past two weeks and those upcoming are important for teams as they look to start ahead of the other contending clubs in hopes of sparking a playoff berth in April.
So far, some teams have jumped ahead with great leads, whereas others have started very, very slowly.
Western Conference
Central Division
The Central is one of the most competitive divisions in the NHL this season. Between Colorado, St.Louis, Nashville, Dallas, Winnipeg, Minnesota, and Chicago, there is plenty of competition for the playoff slots. Colorado has currently jumped out on top in the Central with a perfect record of 5-0-0 and point total of 10 (as of 10/13/13). New Head Coach Patrick Roy has lead his youthful and talented squad to a great start this season. With the fire and intensity he brings to the Avs, I suspect the Avs to keep this hot streak intact for the next week or so. They may lose a couple, but I believe them to stay within the top four of the division for awhile.
St.Louis trails Colorado by just one game as they remain 4-0-0 with 8 points (as of 10/13/13). They are hungry for a legitimate run at the Cup after being ousted from the playoffs the past few years. They seem to be clicking well and will continue to be a force in the Central Division. The Blackhawks follow with 7 points and have looked great as well. Minnesota, Winnipeg, Dallas, and Nashville trail the top three teams in the Central in descending order. Minnesota and Winnipeg are tied with 6 points while Dallas and Nashville are tied with 4. Although it is still too early to tell, I believe Minnesota and Winnipeg will continue to duke it out for fourth place in the Central Division.
Pacific Division
In the far West, teams remain in a tight battle for the top three spots. San Jose sits high in the Pacific as they remain 5-0-0 (as of 10/13/13). The Sharks have shown early success as they did last season. Only this time they have a young talented forward to thank. That forward is Toma Hertl, a 19 year-old that put up 4 goals against the Rangers early last week and has continued scoring since. Watch for Hertl and the Sharks as they seek to dominate the Pacific. Anaheim, Calgary, Phoenix, and Las Angeles all follow San Jose’s lead and all are tied with 8 points.
Vancouver and Edmonton bottom out the Pacific with Vancouver’s 6 points and Edmonton’s 3. Edmonton better start earning points early because in this division there is no easy way to the top. I don’t believe the close competitiveness will go away soon as these teams have shown promising starts in the early season. However, in the next couple weeks I do expect to see LA, Vancouver, and Phoenix to start threatening the lead behind San Jose and Anaheim.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic
The Atlantic is one of the most, if not the most, competitive division in the NHL today. It hosts four of the original six teams: Boston, Detroit, Montreal, and Toronto. Now, can you guess what teams are leading in the Atlantic? Well at the top is Toronto with a record of 5-1-0 and 10 points (as of 10/13/13). The Leafs have come off to a great start even without some players like David Clarkson (suspended for 10 games for coming off of the bench to engage in a fight). They have added key players to fill the roles of those that have departed the team and those players are playing up to their potential so far.
Keep an eye on the Leafs, I think they are going to keep this point streak going. Following Toronto is Boston, Montreal, Detroit, and Tampa, all tied with 6 points apiece. Ottawa and Florida follow with 4 points and Buffalo finishes with a terrible record of 0-5-1 resulting in just 1 point. This division is going to be in complete mayhem over the top playoff spots.
I believe that Boston, Montreal, Detroit, and Toronto will continue to battle for the top four positions for the majority of the season. Tampa can fight for 4th but will have to also compete with Ottawa as they hope to do the same. I think Ottawa will also be right there and will have the chance to beat out one of the top four to claim a playoff spot, but not at the rate they have started off so far. If Florida or Buffalo get past 7th and 8th this season for more than a week I will be very surprised.
Metropolitan
The “Metro” is also comprised of good competition, although, I do find it to be the weakest division in the new alignment. Pittsburgh tops the Metro with 8 points and a 4-1-0 record (as of 10/13/13). Sidney “Crybaby” Crosby continues to lead his team to success early this season. Although the Pens are missing star forward James Neal, they have still managed to put up goals and stay atop the division. Following Pittsburgh is Carolina.
The Canes have 6 points so far and have a record of 2-2-2. They have entered the season with some new additions that will hopefully pan out for them. However, if captain Eric Staal and the gang do not start putting up consistent points, the Canes may find themselves at the bottom of this division.
The New York Islanders follow Carolina with 5 points, Columbus follows with 4, New Jersey with 3, and New York Rangers, Washington, and Philadelphia tied with 2 points each. I expect the Pens to stay on top while the Islanders, Columbus, and Carolina remain in the top four for the next week or so.
The Rangers, Flyers, Caps, and Devils really need to pick it up. I think the Caps are going to bounce back before any of the others do, but who knows! Anything can happen. I would really like to see the Rangers bounce back from their brutal start. they have sustained a few injuries already, one noteably to star forward Rick Nash. Although it’s nothing too serious, Nash is greatly missed on the ice. Look for the Rangers to fight their way to the top over the next few weeks.
Frank Markasovic
Sports Editor
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