Another week has gone by in this long 2013-14 NHL season, and what a week it has been! Teams across the NHL have been vying for points in order to climb to the next spot in the rankings or to hold on in hopes of maintaining a playoff position.
Some teams like the San Jose Sharks and the New York Islanders have been on a downward slump. Dropping out of 1st place in the Pacific Division, San Jose is now ranked 3rd behind Anaheim and Phoenix. San Jose is close in contention with Phoenix seeing as Phoenix has 26 points in 18 games and San Jose having 25 in just 17 games played. However, the fellow Californian team in Anaheim holds a commanding 31 points in 19 games over the whole division.
The New York Islanders have fallen from the top in their respected division as well. They are now ranked 6 in the Metropolitan Division with only 15 points. Pittsburgh leads with 22 points as Washington follows with 19, NY Rangers with 18, Carolina with 16, and New Jersey also with 15. John Tavares and the gang better start to turn things around or else the Islanders may find themselves trying to dig their way out of a deep, deep hole.
Aside from the slumping teams, there are still teams that are surging with success. Among those teams are Colorado, Anaheim, Tampa Bay, and Chicago.
As previously mentioned, Anaheim has taken a significant lead in the Pacific Division. They are on a 5-game winning streak (as of 11/10/2013) and have earned a record of 15-3-1 with a total of 31 points. Their offense has dominated teams across the board and is lead by captain Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks are currently tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for most goals scored at 66 goals. The Ducks remain a highly competitive team after playing 19 games so far this season.
Colorado is still amazing NHL fans with their start to the season as well. They are now tied with Chicago with 28 points but have also played 2 games less than the Blackhawks have, giving them the potential advantage. Colorado still holds the highest Goal Differential rating with a +26, showing that not only can their offense produce significantly, but their defense and goaltending have been spectacular as well. With that kind of success it will be hard to stop the Avs this season if they keep this up.
Tampa Bay is also streaking down the right path so far this season. They now hold the top spot in the highly contested Atlantic Division. Although they do not hold a significant lead above the rest, they have found themselves on a 4-games winning streak that has helped propel them to the top. If they hold on to this success long enough they may just get a chance at holding a decent lead over the other point-hungry contenders below in the standings. I do not see them staying at the top for too long, however with the offensive capabilities between Lightning legends like Steven Stamkos and Martin St.Louis, anything is possible.
Lastly, we have the streaking Hawks in Chicago. Since last week, the Hawks have found themselves on a 3-game winning streak. It’s nothing special, however as we know with Colorado, every point counts. Plus, this streak has the potential to turn itself into something more long-term. Best-case scenario, the Hawks might keep winning and advance in the standings above Colorado for the first time this season. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Blackhawk News
As previously stated the Hawks have finished the week with a 3-game wining streak. Those three wins came from victories over the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, and the Edmonton Oilers.
With wins over Winnipeg and Dallas the Hawks have gained a point advantage in the Central Division. Nashville, Dallas, and Winnipeg are all tied with 18 points while St.Louis and Minnesota are tied at 24 points. The Hawks still remain tied with the Avs at 28 points (as of 11/10/2013).
Coach Q has continued to change up the lineup in Chicago to find that line-to-line chemistry.
He has decided to keep forward Brandon Pirri up with Michal Handzus remaining injured.
Brandon Pirri has registered 2 points in the past 3 Blackhawks’ victories. The youngster scored a goal against Winnipeg and added a nice assist against Edmonton.
I feel there could be a lot more to come out of this kid and I hope to see it, because I feel that this is his tryout while Handzus is injured.
Another face has returned to the lineup, only this time in a new position. Defenseman Sheldon Brookbank has been added to the lineup for the Hawks not as a defenseman, but as a forward.
I am not sure why this move is necessary, especially since Brookbank has yet to contribute anything while being moved to forward.
I would much rather see another young forward get a shot at the lineup, but I guess we just have to trust Coach Q.
Needed Improvements
The Hawks’ Penalty Kill has been garbage lately, a complete turnaround from last season’s PK. The Hawks currently have the 2nd worst Penalty Kill in the NHL right now. Even the Buffalo Sabres, the worst team in the league right now, have a better PK than the Hawks do! With a PK% of 74.5%, the Hawks better look to shape up on the Penalty Kill or they can start losing some must-win games.
Frank’s Three Stars of the Week
1st: Patrick Sharp
2nd: Patrick Kane
3rd: Duncan Kieth
Sharp: Patrick Sharp has contributed 7 points in the last 3 games for the Blackhawks. An outstanding achievement that has been recognized by the NHL that, in turn, named him among the Three NHL Stars of the Week. With 6 assists and 1 goal, Sharpie deserves my No.1 Star of the Week.
Kane: Patrick Kane has also shown some impressive offensive numbers in his last 3 games with 2 goals and 2 assists and a +5 rating.
Kieth: Duncan Keith, as a defenseman, has also been contributing offensively. He has notched 1 goal and 2 assists in his last 3 games with the Hawks.
Frank Markasovic
Sports Editor