In today's piece we will take a look the first month of the NHL season. There have been some hot starts by teams and individual players. There have also been some poor starts by others. First up will be team statistics through the first month.
Team Statistics:
Wins – Anaheim -10
Losses – Buffalo – 9
OT/Shootout losses – Colorado – 5
Longest current win streak – St. Louis – 4
Longest current losing streak – Columbus – 5
Points – Anaheim – 20
Powerplay percentage – Pittsburgh – 41.9%
Penalty kill percentage – Detroit – 94.7%
Through the first month of the season teams like Pittsburgh, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Anaheim and Chicago are off the type of starts most expected. These teams either lead or are near the top of their respective divisions.
On the flip side, there have been some pleasantly over achieveing team in the mix as well. Most people would agree teams like Nashville, New Jersey and the New York Islanders were expected to be improved.
The biggest surprise in the early season would have to be the Calgary Flames. The Flames are 7-4-2 on the season good for 16 pts and tied for second in the pacific division They have a ton of young talent, a stable goaltending situation and a former Stanley Cup winning head coach. This is a team that works hard for every inch of ice and never gives up. Whether they can sustain this for the long haul is yet to be seen.
The other big surprise is Columbus. A playoff team last season, the Blue Jackets lead the NHL in losses through the first month. The Jackets have had their share of injuries through the early going but if they are to remain a playoff contender year in and year out, they must find a way to overcome them.
Player Statistics:
Goals – Perry – 11
Assists – Voracek – 13
Points – Crosby – 18
Powerplay goals – Malkin – 5
Shorthanded goals – Toffoli – 3
Wins – Miller – 8
Losses – Smith – 6
Goals against – Andersen – 1.60
Save percentage – Andersen – .941
Saves – Quick – 324
It's no surprise Sidney Crosby is pacing the league in scoring. When healthy, the Penguin captain is either at the top or very close to it. Goals leader Corey Perry has proven to be a lethal goal scorer throughout his career. The biggest surprise on the list might be Philadelphia's Jakub Voracek.
Voracek is tied with Tyler Johnson of Tampa for the lead in assists and two points behind Crosby, in solo second, in scoring. The only game Voracek has not scored in was the team's 4-0 shutout loss to Chicago.
Ryan Miller has had an early season rebirth in Vancouver. The Canucks netminder leads the league in wins with eight. It is Miller's first season north of the border and the change seems to be suiting the longtime Sabres goalie well.
Anaheim's Frederik Andersen has left the fan base no excuses to question the departure of Jonas Hiller. The tweny five year old Danish goalie is second in wins, first in save percentage and first in goals against. The tandem of Andersen and American John Gibson provide the Ducks with a solid 1-2 punch between the pipes.
The first month of the season has provided some great games, great individual performances, surprises and excitement. Here's hoping the remainder of the season will continue to do the same.
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074
