The NHL season is now one week old, and needless to say it has been exciting, and full of crazy, interesting games. At the top of the standings board are some teams than many did not expect. Are these teams for real, or are they pretenders?
In the Atlantic Division the Toronto Maple Leafs have bolted out of the gate with a 3-1-0 start. Now this may not be a surprise to all, but it is a surprise to many. The surprise for most is the offensive consistency that the Leafs have been playing with. The defense has definitely been the weak point of their success. They have allowed ten goals, and Paul Ranger has had some moments where he has struggled. The injury to Mark Fraser has also not helped things either. In net both Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer have shown signs of brilliance. It looks early on the Bernier will gain the top spot. The fact that the two are pushing each other for the top spot is a huge positive for the Leafs. The main bright spot is the offense. Scoring thirteen goals in the first four games puts them on 3.25 goal pace. That will help them win a lot of games.
So are the Leafs for real or will they be fighting for a playoff spot come end of the year? As much as many want to believe that they are a lock for the playoffs. The cold hard fact is the Leafs still are not ready to take the step up to the elite NHL team level. The fact that the Leafs lack defensive consistency will be a thorn in their side. The goaltending looks solid, but the real question is can the offense keep up this scoring pace? Odds are that they won’t, and this will result in the Leafs fighting down the stretch to make the playoffs.
In the Central Division the Colorado Avalanche are the talk of the league. They were pegged by many to be the laughing stalk of the league. They have been anything but that, except the night coach Patrick Roy lost his mind on Anaheim Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau. The Avalanche have rattled off a 3-0-0 record in the first week of play. The biggest highlight of the Avalanche has been the play of the defense, and the spectacular play of goaltender Semyon Varlamov. The Avalanche have only allowed three goals in three games and Varlamov looks like his coach Patrick Roy did years ago in net. The offense has been highlighted by the play of the number one draft pick Nathan MacKinnon. He has looked anything but a rookie posting 4 assists in his first three games. Another Avalanche player on a tear is PA Parenteau who has netted three goals and added one helper. Its hard to believe that the Avalanche can keep up this pace of outscoring there opponents 11-3. This is shocking! The fact is this will not last, but based off what has been shown it is evident that the Avalanche will probably finish much higher than the basement. Instead of being there it is more realistic to think that they will be in the battle for a final playoff spot. They have been impressive, and very fun to watch.
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.