NHL - Notícias e Comentários Gerais

[Jonas F]

Levamos 5-2 em casa de Minnesota. Meh. Depois daqueles jogos iniciais prometedores, já está a descambar

[Roadrunner]

Levamos 5-2 em casa de Minnesota. Meh. Depois daqueles jogos iniciais prometedores, já está a descambar

 

Não é bem assim. O Dubnyk defendeu tudo e mais alguma coisa e Minnesota tem um estilo de jogo baseado em trapping na zona neutra que facilmente se torna num autocarro de dois andares a jogar no erro do adversário. O jogo torna-se chato de ver e com poucas ocasiões, com uma equipa a jogar como se fosse um jogo de playoff. É por isto que Minny será sempre uma boa equipa de fase regular e uma decepção nos playoffs. Mesmo assim, em condições normais, os Hawks teriam ganho o jogo ontem. Grande exibição do Dubnyk e os Hawks a sentirem alguma falta do Schmaltz.

 

O jogo foi em Chicago, btw.

[Danskin]

Vejam a assistência de hoje/ontem do McDavid para o golo do Maroon... Incrível, parece algo sacado de um videojogo!

[verY]

Buffalo já começou mal, para variar...

[totch]

Vejam a assistência de hoje/ontem do McDavid para o golo do Maroon... Incrível, parece algo sacado de um videojogo!

 

 

Este e o Auston Matthews :heart: :prayer:

 

Buffalo já começou mal, para variar...

 

Por acaso esperava mais da equipa este ano, mas parece que ainda não estão prontos para dar o salto.

[Danskin]

Talentos geracionais, sem dúvida!

[totch]

 

Saudades :cry:

[totch]

Vegas :o

[Jonas F]

Vegas :o

 

Começaram bem. Mas agora que falas nisso, vou partilhar aqui um artigo para Insiders da ESPN publicado no dia 19 deste mês sobre os overachievers e os disappointments até ao momento.

 

NHL - Early-season surprise teams - which trends will continue?

by Rob Vollman on 2017-10-19 02:23:00 UTC

 

The first few weeks of the 2017-18 season are complete, and there are several teams who find themselves in unfamiliar positions at either the top or the bottom of the NHL standings.

 

Although it's important to not read too much into these early results, the underlying numbers can sometimes provide some valuable clues about which teams might be there to stay.

 

Overachievers

Four of the top seven teams in the standings include one expansion team and three of last season's non-playoff teams. While the Tampa Bay Lightning were largely expected to rebound back toward first place in the Atlantic Division, the other three teams are surprises.

 

Los Angeles Kings

For the past six seasons, the Los Angeles franchise has been the king of shot-based metrics. Between 2011-12 and 2016-17, the Kings outshot their opponents by the stunning margin of 21,796 to 17,322 at 5-on-5, for an SAT of plus-4,474 that dominated the NHL. The Boston Bruins were in second place, with plus-2,353.

 

Of course, that shot-based advantage didn't always produce the intended results. Yes, the Kings won the Stanley Cup in two of the first three seasons, but then they missed the playoffs in two of the latter three, which cost coach Darryl Sutter and GM Dean Lombardi their jobs.

 

The Kings have immediately resumed course with new coach John Stevens. They have a 6-1-1 record and good shot-based metrics, and they rank fifth in goals scored per game, 3.63, and first in fewest goal allowed, 2.13.

 

Thriving under the new coaching staff, Dustin Brown is back in the top six for the first time since the 2011-12 season, and he has responded with 11 points in eight games, along with an impressive plus-10 rating.

 

Looking ahead: The Kings should remain in the mix for the Pacific Division crown.

 

New Jersey Devils

Every year, there is one team that overachieves, thanks to all its prospects maturing at the same time. In 2016-17, it was the Toronto Maple Leafs, who surged from 69 points to 95 in the standings thanks to rookies Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Connor Brown, Nikita Zaitsev, Zach Hyman and others. Together, Toronto's rookies combined for 123 goals and 304 points and were worth a combined 33.3 points in the standings, according to the catch-all point shares statistic developed by Hockey Reference.

 

Are the Devils this year's version of the Maple Leafs? New Jersey's rookies Nico Hischier, Will Butcher, Jesper Bratt and Blake Coleman have combined for six goals, 23 points and an estimated 2.7 points in the standings through the first eight games, helping the team compile a record of 6-2-0.

 

The Devils also have several players with less than a full season's worth of NHL experience who are playing substantial roles, including Steven Santini, Mirco Mueller, Pavel Zacha, Stefan Noesen and Miles Wood. There is tremendous upside for New Jersey if the younger half of its lineup continues to develop this quickly.

 

Looking ahead: The Devils are a legitimately improved team that should battle for a playoff spot.

 

Vegas Golden Knights

Although there's no question that this past summer's expansion draft rules were the most favorable in history, Vegas GM George McPhee appeared to have his eye on the future. He accepted draft picks and prospects in exchange for making suboptimal selections, and he traded several of his stronger choices for even more long-term considerations. In the free-agency period that followed, he remained unexpectedly quiet.

 

Despite that short-term sacrifice, the Golden Knights have started their inaugural season with a 6-1-0 record. To avoid getting too excited, it should be pointed out that their soft schedule has included only two teams that made the playoffs last season, including the Bruins before Patrice Bergeron returned to the lineup. Three of the Knights' six wins occurred in overtime, and two more were by a single goal (not including an empty-net goal against the Bruins). With stronger opponents and/or a few bad bounces, they could just as easily have a record of 1-6-0.

 

Looking ahead: The Golden Knights will start to fade as the season progresses and miss the playoffs.

 

Disappointments

 

Long-term basement dwellers such as the Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres have three surprising new roommates this season. Instead of sharing space with the Colorado Avalanche and/or the Vegas Golden Knights, they're with perceived Stanley Cup contenders such as the Edmonton Oilers and the New York Rangers and the defending Atlantic Division champs, the Montreal Canadiens.

 

Is this just temporary, or should one or more of these teams start unpacking their things?

 

Edmonton Oilers

Without Connor McDavid, the Oilers might potentially fall from a Stanley Cup contender to a non-playoff team. However, McDavid is in the lineup and is leading the team with eight points in seven games. Why are the Oilers still off to a disappointing 2-5-0 start? Because in those seven games, they have scored just six goals without McDavid's direct involvement.

 

For teams with a franchise player such as McDavid, the challenge has always been to create a secondary threat. Those who do, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins, can win the Stanley Cup, while those who don't, such as the New York Islanders, can miss the playoffs.

 

With McDavid flanked by Patrick Maroon and either Leon Draisaitl or rookie Kailer Yamamoto, the Oilers are dominating opponents 174-98 in 5-on-5 shot attempts with their franchise center on the ice. However, they have been far more average with second-line players Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (88-82 in shot-attempt differential) or Milan Lucic (83-79) on the ice.

Looking ahead: The Oilers should rally back into a playoff position as soon as the second line gets going.

 

Montreal Canadiens

We've seen Montreal slump before. In the absence of goalie Carey Price in 2015-16 due to a knee injury, the Canadiens fell from 110 points -- and the Atlantic title -- to 82 points and their first sixth-place divisional finish since 1994-95. Upon his return to health in 2016-17, Montreal immediately bounced back to 103 points and regained the division crown.

 

This season, Price has a disappointing .881 save percentage in six starts, which has caused Montreal to tumble down the standings once again, with a 1-6-1 record through eight games.

 

Even if Price were in top form, Montreal has averaged just 1.50 goals per game, which ranks last in the NHL. As a team, Montreal is scoring on 3.9 percent of its shots, compared to 12.6 percent for their opponents. At that rate, the Canadiens could outshoot their opponents by a 3-to-1 margin and still lose.

 

Looking ahead: Everything is going wrong in Montreal right now, but they won't continue to shoot 3.9 percent. This talented team will get back on track.

 

New York Rangers

After their third consecutive 100-point season and their 11th playoff appearance in 12 seasons, the Rangers are off to a 2-6-2 start, which finds them last in the Metropolitan Division. Is their window of Stanley Cup contention finally closing?

 

The Rangers have never been known for strong shot-based metrics, but this season has been worse than most. When adjusted for factors such as the score, home/road split and the type of shot attempt, the New York Rangers rank 29th with a shot attempt percentage of 44.15 percent, according to the data at PuckOn.net.

 

The Rangers have rallied from a slow start before. In 2013-14, the season in which the Rangers last reached the Stanley Cup Final, they began the season with a 2-6-0 record and a 43.04 adjusted shot attempt percentage, which ranked 28th.

 

Looking ahead: There's no reason to hit the panic button ... yet.

[totch]

Os Kings, para mim, não são uma surpresa. Surpresa foi sim vê-los dois anos seguidos sem participar nos playoffs.

[Jonas F]

Os Golden Knights continuam imparáveis :estrelas:

[Jonas F]

Isto vale porrada e tudo :lol: comecei a assistir, visto que sempre tive interesse em ver mas nunca tive oportunidade, que equipas devo ver para me motivar a ver mais ? :mrgreen:

 

Não se a questão ainda se mantém, mas hoje a ESPN tem um bom artigo sobre isso :mrgreen:

 

NHL - The must-watch teams for the 2017-18 season

 

The NHL's first month has brought along all kinds of excitement with scoring up across the league and the standings starting to take shape.

 

Today more than ever, fans have opportunities to watch teams all over the NHL, rather than just focusing on their home club. Access to more hockey, however, brings about tough decisions. Who should you watch on a nightly basis? Which teams will bring the most entertainment value for your buck?

 

There are different ways to grade excitement level, whether it's by a team excelling offensively or playing wide-open, pond-hockey-style games or simply by having a feel-good story. Thus far there are few teams that stand out above the rest for entertainment value. Let's have a look:

 

Tampa Bay Lightning

Reason to watch: Superstar offensive talent

Key stat: NHL-leading 54 goals

 

If you like offense -- and honestly, who doesn't? -- Tampa Bay is the team for you. The Lightning have scored more than one goal per period this season (3.9 goals per game) and have several of the league's most dangerous offensive talents.

 

Steven Stamkos has answered any questions about how he would come back from a season-ending injury in 2016-17 by scoring an incredible 24 points in Tampa Bay's first 14 games. Surprisingly, the former 60-goal scorer has played the role of setup man with 18 assists. Winger Nikita Kucherov has been the one putting the puck in the back of the net, scoring 13 goals in 14 games. Kucherov has become the league's premier goal scorer, notching 53 goals in his last 88 regular season games and another 11 in 17 playoff games in 2015-16.

 

Stamkos and Kucherov aren't the only players producing for Tampa Bay. Four others have double-digit points, including exciting young rookie defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, who has four goals and seven assists.

 

Edmonton Oilers

Reason to watch: Connor McDavid has the puck all the time

Key stat: 90.6 shot attempts per 60 minutes with McDavid on the ice

 

If you're tuning in to an Oilers game to see what all the McDavid hype is about, it won't take you long to find out. Last year's Hart Trophy winner has gotten off to a strong start with 13 points in 11 games and the Oilers' numbers point to even more to come. McDavid is leading the NHL in on-ice shot attempts per 60 minutes at even strength by a mile. The next best non-Edmonton player (with at least five games played) is Carolina defenseman Noah Hanifin, whose team is taking 80.3 attempts per 60 minutes with him on ice.

 

Unsurprisingly, the Oilers are scoring 3.9 goals per 60 minutes at even strength when McDavid is playing. The league's best skater has the ability to rush the puck up ice and make plays at blinding speeds, giving him scoring opportunities that wouldn't exist for anyone else in the NHL. With McDavid on ice, Edmonton is getting 20 high-danger shots per 60. That's six more than the league's leading rate for any other team.

 

Pittsburgh Penguins

Reason to watch: Defense optional

Key stat: combined 69.1 even-strength shots on goal per game

 

If your favorite team is playing against the Penguins, it might be a good night to tune in. While up-tempo hockey has been a staple of the Penguins' back-to-back Stanley Cup runs, they are taking it to another level this season -- likely to the frustration of head coach Mike Sullivan. Pittsburgh is allowing 34 shots per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 hockey (seventh-most), and allowing 3.5 goals against (second-most). It's been a tough start to the season for No. 1 defenseman Kris Letang, who missed the playoffs with an injury last year, as he's been on the ice for 21 goals against in 258 minutes (4.8 goals per 60 minutes) this season.

 

The good news for the Penguins is that they are getting plenty of opportunities, but haven't had much puck luck in the opening stanza. Sullivan's club is outshooting its opponents, racking up the fourth most shots on goal per 60 of any team in the NHL. As you might expect, that production is driven by star power. With Sidney Crosby on ice, the Pens are producing 40.4 shots on goal per 60.

 

The combination of Pittsburgh's offensive talent and their sputtering defense is making for some wild and entertaining hockey.

 

Los Angeles Kings

Reason to watch: Great goaltending

Key stat: Jonathan Quick's .939 save percentage

 

Offense is back in style in L.A., as the Kings rank 8th in the NHL in goals scored, but their penchant for a strong defensive game hasn't changed, as they are allowing the fewest goals against per game. That starts with goaltender Jonathan Quick, who has been on fire to begin the season.

 

There are few netminders who are more exciting when they're at their best than the Connecticut native. Quick has looked much like the same goalie who led the Kings to a Stanley Cup while posting an absurd .946 save percentage during the playoffs. After several campaigns of only slightly above-average play, we might be seeing the best version of Quick again. That's exciting both for Kings fans and distinguished goaltending connoisseurs.

 

Vegas Golden Knights

Reason to watch: Underdog story

Key stat: 8-4-0 in first 12 games

 

Historically speaking, expansion franchises have been very, very bad in their first season. In 1974-75, the Washington Capitals won just eight games. The best expansion franchise of the modern era (1993-94 Panthers) had a winning percentage under .500. So Vegas' blazing hot start has been a pleasant surprise. For one reason or another, every player on the Golden Knights' team was left exposed for the expansion draft, whether it was because of their contract or not being highly valued by their previous team.

 

Watching the mishmashed group of underappreciated players win games has offered a unique type of drama that doesn't come along often. Whether Vegas can actually continue to win is a question mark. They've had a horrible run of goalie injuries, and rank 25th in Corsi for percentage.

 

Toronto Maple Leafs

Reason to watch: Playing style and offensive talent

Key stat: Second in the NHL in goals scored

 

Since head coach Mike Babcock took over the Maple Leafs, they have been an aggressive offensive team, rushing the puck up ice and taking risks with defensemen jumping into the play. At least on the offensive side, their aggressiveness has paid off.

 

Of course, a major part of their scoring production is the highly skilled roster. The words "sophomore slump" mean nothing to Auston Matthews. Last year's Calder Trophy winner has 10 goals in 14 games and has tacked on another eight assists. Matthews has an incredible combination of size, speed, effort and power that is proving to be unstoppable.

 

Watching him alone is worth the price. But the Leafs have skill up and down the lineup. Defenseman Morgan Rielly is producing like the Leafs have long hoped he would, scoring 11 points thus far, while veteran Patrick Marleau has added another layer to Toronto's attack with five goals this season. There's more to come for the Leafs, who haven't yet seen skilled winger Mitch Marner (one goal) kick into high gear.

 

Dallas Stars

Reason to watch: Red-hot power play

Key stat: 30.8 percent power-play percentage leads the NHL

 

It appears the Stars are back after a rough 2016-17 season that saw them finish second to last in the Central. They currently sit in second place in the division, partly because of their explosive power play. There are few teams that can put as much talent on the ice at once as the Stars, whose first power-play unit includes Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Alexander Radulov, Devin Shore and John Klingberg. That's three of the top offensive talents in the game and a defenseman who produced 58 points two seasons ago. Seguin already has four power-play goals and Benn has three.

 

The Stars' power play can move the puck at lightning-quick pace and score from all angles. With power play opportunities up from 6.0 to 7.3 per game league-wide this season, viewers might see more opportunities for Dallas to put on an awesome display of skill with a man advantage.

 

@ The NHL's must-watch teams

Editado 6 Novembro 2017 por Jonas F

[Jonas F]

NHL expectations vs. reality ratings: Who's better, worse and what's next

 

Having reached the quarter mark of the 2017-18 season, it's time to review our preseason expectations of each team, see how they match up with reality and project what to expect the rest of the way.

 

Anaheim Ducks

Expectation: In the hunt for a sixth consecutive Pacific division crown

Reality: Tied for fourth-last in the Western Conference

 

Injuries have hit the Ducks hard, especially on the blue line and to the team's top two centers, Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler, who have been replaced with journeymen Chris Wagner and Derek Grant. Consequently, the Ducks rank 29th with an adjusted Corsi for percentage of 45.11, according to Puck On Net.

 

Looking ahead: The Ducks will struggle to stay within striking distance of the playoffs even after Getzlaf and Kesler return in the new year.

 

 

Arizona Coyotes

Expectation: A noticeable improvement but still outside the playoff picture

Reality: Tied for last in the NHL

 

New coach Rick Tocchet struggled early, the new and improved top four took time to jell, new goalie Antti Raanta has struggled with injuries, and too few of the team's abundance of young talent took a meaningful development stride forward. Arizona ranks last in most statistical categories.

 

Looking ahead: The Coyotes are 4-2-1 in their past seven, but this might already be another lost season.

 

Boston Bruins

Expectation: Fighting for the last wild-card spot

Reality: Fighting for the third Atlantic division spot

 

The Bruins were hit hard by injuries to several top forwards, and Tuukka Rask has struggled in goal, but they have been saved by backup Anton Khudobin and the team's depth of young talent.

 

Looking ahead: The Bruins will continue to battle for the last playoff spot.

 

Buffalo Sabres

Expectation: Competitive but outside the playoff picture

Reality: Tied for last in the NHL, with one win in their past 10 games

 

Devastating injuries to an already questionable blue line have left first-time NHL coach Phil Housley in an almost impossible situation. The Sabres are competing with Arizona for last in most statistical categories.

 

Looking ahead: Buffalo could become the NHL's first team to finish 31st.

 

Calgary Flames

Expectation: A legitimate playoff team but not a home seed

Reality: Tied for the final wild-card position

 

Calgary is an average team boosted by a single player, Johnny Gaudreau, who has scored or assisted on almost half of the team's goals and has twice as many points as any other Flame except linemate Sean Monahan.

 

Looking ahead: Thanks to Johnny Hockey, Calgary should maintain a better-than-even chance of making the playoffs.

 

Carolina Hurricanes

Expectation: Fighting for the last wild-card spot

Reality: Four points back of the last wild-card spot

 

The Hurricanes rank fourth in the NHL with an adjusted Corsi for percentage of 53.46, but their 15.6 power-play percentage ranks 28th, their 77.8 penalty-killing percentage ranks 22nd, and their .899 save percentage ranks 25th.

 

Looking ahead: It will be an uphill struggle, but the playoffs are within reach if their percentages improve.

 

Chicago Blackhawks

Expectation: Ranged from Stanley Cup contender to simply a solid playoff team

Reality: Barely hanging on to the last wild-card spot

 

After opening the season by crushing Pittsburgh and Columbus by a combined score of 15-2, the Blackhawks have been a fairly average team, with an even goal differential in the time since. Corey Crawford has been outstanding in goal, and Chicago ranks fifth with an adjusted Corsi for percentage of 53.41.

 

Looking ahead: Although no longer Stanley Cup favorites, the Blackhawks should remain a solid playoff team.

 

Colorado Avalanche

Expectation: Draft lottery team

Reality: One point back of a wild-card slot in the West

 

Colorado has a thin blue line, under-performing goaltending and an adjusted Corsi for percentage of 47.08 that ranks 27th. Trading Matt Duchene for picks and prospects early this season could be an indication that they are planning to rebuild anew.

 

Looking ahead: Colorado should start to fade into a draft lottery position.

 

Columbus Blue Jackets

Expectation: A solid playoff team

Reality: First in the Metropolitan and 7-1-0 in their past eight games

 

Columbus ranks third in the NHL with an adjusted Corsi for percentage of 53.74 and third with 2.36 goals allowed per game, thanks to another Vezina Trophy-caliber season from goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

 

Looking ahead: Columbus could be a Stanley Cup contender, if it can find some more scoring.

 

Dallas Stars

Expectation: Opinions were mixed, but the Stars were generally seen as a playoff team once again and even a Stanley Cup dark horse.

Reality: Currently in a wild-card position

 

The Stars are a top-heavy team. Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov, Jamie Benn and defenseman John Klingberg have combined for 87 points, almost as many as the rest of the team, which has 95. They'll need more of a secondary scoring threat to remain in the playoff mix.

 

Looking ahead: Dallas is a wild-card team but with potential for far more.

 

Detroit Red Wings

Expectation: Conventional wisdom had them last in the Eastern Conference, but some statistical models had them in the wild-card mix.

Reality: Fourth in the Atlantic division

 

Detroit is an otherwise average team boosted by special teams success. Their power-play percentage of 21.8 ranks eighth, and their penalty-killing percentage of 84.1 ranks fourth.

 

Looking ahead: The pessimists were wrong about Detroit, which is a legitimate wild-card contender.

 

Edmonton Oilers

Expectation: Conventional wisdom had them as Pacific division champions and Stanley Cup contenders, but statistical models had them fighting for a wild-card spot.

Reality: The Oilers are tied for 29th overall

 

Lack of scoring depth is often cited as the cause of Edmonton's disappointing season so far, but the Oilers are also without their top defenseman, Andrej Sekera, who is recovering from knee surgery, and they rank 27th with a team save percentage of .897.

 

Looking ahead: To make the playoffs, the Oilers will have to play at an even greater pace than they did last season the rest of the way.

 

Florida Panthers

Expectation: Competitive but outside the playoff picture

Reality: Tied for 29th overall

 

The Panthers will need every break to get into the wild-card race, but first-time NHL head coach Bob Boughner is struggling to get the special teams working. Florida has a power-play percentage of 15.9, 26th in the NHL, and a penalty-killing percentage of 75.6, 28th in the NHL.

 

Looking ahead: The Panthers will remain outside the playoff picture.

 

Los Angeles Kings

Expectation: Just outside the wild-card race

Reality: Tied for first in the Pacific division

 

Everything has been going right for Los Angeles, including a bounce-back season from Anze Kopitar, great goaltending, a league-best 89.3 penalty-killing percentage and a surprising comeback season from Dustin Brown. However, the Kings are 3-6-1 in their past 10 games.

 

Looking ahead: The Kings might not hang on to the top spot, but they should make the playoffs.

 

Minnesota Wild

Expectation: In the mix for the Central division title

Reality: Two points out of the last wild-card spot

 

Statistically, the Minnesota Wild are a pretty average team in most regards, without any standout area or individual players. The exception to that is a top pair of Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon upon whom the Wild heavily rely to play the tough minutes.

 

Looking ahead: The Wild should remain a factor in the Western Conference wild-card race.

 

Montreal Canadiens

Expectation: A solid playoff team

Reality: Tied for 12th in the Eastern Conference

 

Not much has gone right for Montreal this season. Most notably, Carey Price has struggled in goal, which isn't ideal for a team that ranks second-to-last with 2.36 goals per game. However, it's quite remarkable that a team with the third-worst goal differential of minus-20 is still within two points of a playoff spot.

 

Looking ahead: Montreal has the talent to perform far better than this.

 

Nashville Predators

Expectation: Mainstream opinion had them winning the Central division title, but statistical models had them fighting for a wild-card spot.

Reality: Second place in the Central division

 

With a 10-1-1 record in their past 12 games, the Predators have lifted themselves from a tie for 19th overall to a tie for third. They rank third in both the power play, at 25.8 percent, and killing penalties, at 84.3 percent. Pekka Rinne's .928 save percentage is just shy of his career high of .930, set in 2010-11.

 

Looking ahead: The more optimistic views appear to be correct.

 

New Jersey Devils

Expectation: Competitive but last in the Metropolitan division

Reality: One point back of first in the Metropolitan division

 

It's always hard to set expectations for a team on which half the lineup has less than one full season of NHL experience, but the Devils have outperformed even the most optimistic projections. However, their modest goal differential of plus-4 and their significant out-performance of their shot-based metrics both suggest that their results have been boosted by a few good bounces.

 

Looking ahead: The Devils will fade, possibly out of the playoff race, as the season progresses.

 

New York Islanders

Expectation: Just outside the wild-card race

Reality: One point back of first in the Metropolitan division

 

With a 7-1-0 record in their past eight games, the Islanders have lifted themselves into legitimate playoff contention. Their league-leading 11.8 shooting percentage has helped them average 3.67 goals per game, which also ranks first.

 

Looking ahead: Given that just four points separate first place in the Metropolitan from the last wild-card spot, the Islanders will have to stay hot to make the playoffs.

 

New York Rangers

Expectation: An Eastern Conference wild-card playoff team

Reality: One point out of a wild card spot

 

Statistically, the Rangers are an average team in almost every regard. However, that might not be good enough for a playoff spot in the tough Metropolitan division.

 

Looking ahead: It could be a nail-biting season for the Rangers, who have missed the playoffs only once since the 2005 lockout.

 

Ottawa Senators

Expectation: On the losing end of the playoff wild-card race

Reality: Tied for third-to-last overall

 

A puzzling six-game skid in which they were outscored 21-8 has dropped Ottawa from sixth overall to a tie for 29th. The Senators now have an .892 save percentage, which ranks 28th.

 

Looking ahead: There's no need to panic -- yet.

 

Philadelphia Flyers

Expectation: A small step out of the wild-card race

Reality: Last in the Metropolitan division

 

Winless in nine games, the Flyers have knocked themselves well out of a playoff spot in the ultra-competitive Metropolitan division. Jakub Voracek, Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere have combined for 103 points -- 10 more than the rest of the team combined. They need to build a secondary scoring threat.

 

Looking ahead: The Flyers could miss the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1993-94.

 

Pittsburgh Penguins

Expectation: First overall and a third consecutive Stanley Cup

Reality: Hanging on to the last wild-card spot

 

Sidney Crosby got off to a slow start, with just 13 points in the first 19 games, and a league-worst minus-14. Crosby is tied for the league lead with 12 points in seven games since then, but the Penguins are still struggling to put up points.

 

Looking ahead: Despite their perceived vulnerability right now, the Penguins should not be taken lightly.

 

San Jose Sharks

Expectation: Conventional wisdom had them fighting for a Western Conference wild-card spot, but they were beloved by statistical models.

Reality: Third in the Pacific division

 

San Jose's games are very low-scoring, averaging the fourth-fewest goals per game (2.61) and the fewest goals against (2.17). If defense wins championships, then watch out for the Sharks, who rank second to the divisional rival Kings in save percentage, .924, and in penalty-killing percentage, 88.3.

 

Looking ahead: With a little more scoring, the Sharks could win the division.

 

St. Louis Blues

Expectation: One of the Western Conference wild-card playoff teams by mainstream opinion but a possible division champion in statistical models

Reality: Second overall in the NHL

 

By any measure, the Blues are one of the top two teams in hockey right now. In terms of shot-based metrics, they rank first with an adjusted Corsi for percentage of 55.05.

 

Looking ahead: The Blues could contend for the President's Trophy and the Stanley Cup.

 

Tampa Bay Lightning

Expectation: First in the Atlantic division by mainstream opinion but more middle-of-the-pack in statistical models

Reality: First overall in the NHL

 

Fueled by top-line duo Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, who have combined for 71 points in 24 games, lights-out goaltending from Andrei Vasilevskiy and the second-best adjusted Corsi for percentage in the league, 54.31, the Lightning have positioned themselves as the team to beat.

 

Looking ahead: Tampa Bay is the favorite for the President's Trophy and the Stanley Cup.

 

Toronto Maple Leafs

Expectation: A playoff home seed and a dark horse Stanley Cup contender

Reality: Second place in the Atlantic division

 

The Maple Leafs rank fourth with 3.50 goals per game and sixth with an adjusted Corsi for percentage of 52.58. In any other division, they might have a shot at the crown.

 

Looking ahead: The team's preseason assessment remains correct.

 

Vancouver Canucks

Expectation: Fighting Vegas for last in the Pacific division

Reality: One point out of a wild-card spot

 

First-time NHL coach Travis Green's youth movement got the Canucks out of the gate with a 6-3-1 start, but they have fallen to 5-7-3 since then.

 

Looking ahead: Although improved, Vancouver might simply lack the talent to remain in the wild-card mix much longer.

 

Vegas Golden Knights

Expectation: Not horrible but certainly near the bottom of the league

Reality: Tied for first place in the Pacific

 

Almost unbeatable at home, Vegas has weathered constant goaltending injuries to climb its way to the top spot in the division. It's remarkable that James Neal has 19 points in 23 games, but it's even more remarkable that four of his teammates can match or exceed that total.

 

Looking ahead: This won't last forever. The questions are when and how far the Knights will fall.

 

Washington Capitals

Expectation: In the mix for the Metropolitan division title once again

Reality: In a wild-card position

 

Up against the cap ceiling, the Capitals had some tough decisions to make about whom to keep and whom to let go. Now merely an average team, Washington has fallen from a plus-84 goal differential in 2016-17 to minus-3 so far this season.

 

Looking ahead: The Capitals might be playing the first round of the playoffs on the road for a change.

 

Winnipeg Jets

Expectation: Conventional wisdom had them just short of the Western Conference wild-card race, but some statistical models had them as a solid playoff team.

Reality: Tied for third overall

 

After years of waiting, all of the team's young talent is finally coming together. However, great goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck is partly covering up the fact that the Jets' shot-based metrics are merely average. They rank 15th with an adjusted Corsi for percentage of 50.17.

 

Looking ahead: The Jets should remain in the playoff picture.

 

 

Fonte: NHL expectations vs. reality ratings: Who's better, worse and what's next

 

 

:mrgreen:

[Hawkeye]

Vejam a assistência de hoje/ontem do McDavid para o golo do Maroon... Incrível, parece algo sacado de um videojogo!

 

 

És dos Oilers? Fogo Danskin, eu a pensar que eras um tipo porreiro :mrgreen:

[Jonas F]

Editado 14 Dezembro 2017 por Jonas F

[totch]

:heart:

[p0k3r]

Este natal foi generoso :mrgreen:

 

 

:heart:

[totch]

:)

[Wembanyama]

Pessoal mais entendido da NHL, esta época não acompanhei tanto mas não é no mínimo surpreendente uma equipa nova como os Golden Knights estarem no topo da Conferência Oeste, neste momento?

[totch]

Pessoal mais entendido da NHL, esta época não acompanhei tanto mas não é no mínimo surpreendente uma equipa nova como os Golden Knights estarem no topo da Conferência Oeste, neste momento?

 

Simplesmente fantastico. Ninguém esperava por isso.

 

Sou da opinião que eles têm um dos melhores treinadores da Liga, mas não deixa de ser surpreendente. São um colectivo muito forte. Acredito que boa parte da motivação reside no facto que se trata de uma equipa composta por jogadores "rejeitados" pelo antigo clube e onde grande parte tem contrato até este ano. Acredito que têm algo a provar, mas não deixa de ser surpreendente, pois trata-se de uma equipa sem nenhuma estrela, excepto talvez o GR Fleury que esteve muito tempo parado por causa de uma lesão. Este ano ja utilizaram uns 5 GR e isso não os impediu de continuar a vencer. Uma historia fantastica.

[totch]

 

f*da-se, massive respect :prayer:

 

Quem me dera se em Montréal fossem assim.

Editado 8 Fevereiro 2018 por totch

[Carmelo Anthony]

https://scontent-frt3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27657449_2060352447314328_3782001797709412011_n.jpg?oh=69be49e9a860aa6ae93fa772cecbc83d&oe=5B1BC9BD

 

f*da-se, massive respect :prayer:

 

Quem me dera se em Montréal fossem assim.

 

 

É um dia triste para qualquer fã dos Rangers mas ao mesmo tempo é bom ver que à frente do franchise está alguém que percebe que o tempo desta equipa chegou ao fim.

 

Termina uma era para os New York Rangers. Foram 7 presenças consecutivas nos Playoffs e uma janela de oportunidade, que esteve aberta durante alguns anos, para vencer a Stanley Cup, com idas a finais de conferência e ao confronto com os Kings na final da competição em 2014. É muito tempo, tanto que vai ser estranho para mim, que me habituei a ver os Rangers em acção a cada postseason, a entrar num processo de rebuild em vez de reajustamento.

 

É curioso que no MSG coabitem dois franchises com comportamentos diametralmente opostos. Os Knicks, tal como os Rangers, necessitam urgentemente de refazer as suas equipas, sem mais dramas, sem shortcuts. Os Rangers escolheram esse caminho, os Knicks. Os Rangers escolheram-no da melhor maneira possível. A missiva dirigidas aos adeptos é todo um compendio de classe, honestidade, frontalidade e abertura total perante aqueles que seguem a equipa. Chapeau para o front office! :handclap:

 

Quanto ao rebuild propriamente dito, espero algumas saídas dolorosas, tal como deixa antever a carta. Nash, McDonagh, Zuccarelo, Stepan, Grabner, pelo menos estes assim por alto, deverão sair. Talvez o McD seja o mais valioso do grupo, até porque outros, como o Nash por exemplo, têm non trade clause o que obriga a acertar com o jogador um destino de eleição. Também o Zucc deve dar para um pick jeitosa (vai custar tanto! Fan favorite :heart: ). O Lundqvist já disse que pretende continuar, todavia seria sempre complicado encontrar colocação com o contrato que tem.

 

Fecha-se uma era, outra se inicia. É um processo doloroso mas ao mesmo tempo excitante. Pelo menos certamente mais esperançoso que o dos vizinhos de balneário… :-|

Editado 9 Fevereiro 2018 por Carmelo Anthony

[totch]

 

É um dia triste para qualquer fã dos Rangers mas ao mesmo tempo é bom ver que à frente do franchise está alguém que percebe que o tempo desta equipa chegou ao fim.

 

Termina uma era para os New York Rangers. Foram 7 presenças consecutivas nos Playoffs e uma janela de oportunidade, que esteve aberta durante alguns anos, para vencer a Stanley Cup, com idas a finais de conferência e ao confronto com os Kings na final da competição em 2014. É muito tempo, tanto que vai ser estranho para mim, que me habituei a ver os Rangers em acção a cada postseason, a entrar num processo de rebuild em vez de reajustamento.

 

É curioso que no MSG coabitem dois franchises com comportamentos diametralmente opostos. Os Knicks, tal como os Rangers, necessitam urgentemente de refazer as suas equipas, sem mais dramas, sem shortcuts. Os Rangers escolheram esse caminho, os Knicks. Os Rangers escolheram-no da melhor maneira possível. A missiva dirigidas aos adeptos é todo um compendio de classe, honestidade, frontalidade e abertura total perante aqueles que seguem a equipa. Chapeau para o front office! :handclap:

 

Quanto ao rebuild propriamente dito, espero algumas saídas dolorosas, tal como deixa antever a carta. Nash, McDonagh, Zuccarelo, Stepan, Grabner, pelo menos estes assim por alto, deverão sair. Talvez o McD seja o mais valioso do grupo, até porque outros, como o Nash por exemplo, têm non trade clause o que obriga a acertar com o jogador um destino de eleição. Também o Zucc deve dar para um pick jeitosa (vai custar tanto! Fan favorite :heart: ). O Lundqvist já disse que pretende continuar, todavia seria sempre complicado encontrar colocação com o contrato que tem.

 

Fecha-se uma era, outra se inicia. É um processo doloroso mas ao mesmo tempo excitante. Pelo menos certamente mais esperançoso que o dos vizinhos de balneário… :-|

 

Tão isto :prayer:

 

So isso é meio caminho andado para fazerem as coisas nas calmas com pés e cabeça.

[ventura21]

Maltinha, de onde posso mandar vir camisolas a preços mais simpáticos? Aos anos que ando para arranjar uma dos Ducks.

[totch]

 

:prayer: :heart: