Bartnick's 1st Quarter Eastern Conference Grades
We have reached the quarter pole of the NHL season. Time to
hand out some 1st Quarter Grades. Starting with the Eastern
Conference.The 2 best teams in the NHL are in the Western
Conference, Colorado and Dallas. The worst teams in the NHL is
also out West, Calgary. The Eastern Conference is in a state of
parity or mediocrity. Much of the teams are within a couple points
of each other. The usual American Thanksgiving playoff predictor
may be worthless this season. These grades are weighted less on
standings and statistics and more on the eye test. They are also
based on pre-season expectations either high or low.
ATLANTIC:
Boston B+, Boston has overcome blueline leader Charlie
McAvoy’s injury with solid team defense. Superstar David
Pastrnak and nuclear hot Morgan Geekie are leading the way
offensively. Jeremy Swayman is having a bounce back season in
net.
Montreal B, Montreal’s top duo of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield
got Montreal off to a hot start. Depth injuries have cooled off the
Habs.
Ottawa C-, Ottawa lost their Captain Brady Tkachuk early and
have played like a rudderless ship even with him back. High
priced goaltender Linus Ullmark, much like the whole team, is
consistently inconsistent.
Detroit B, Detroit’s Head Coach Todd McLellan has inspired
Captain Dylan Larkin to the best hockey of his career. Lucas
Raymond, Alex Debricat and the rest of the Red Wings are
playing like they’re sick of missing the playoffs. Unfortunately
John Gibson and Cam Talbot have not solved Detroit’s problems
in net.
Tampa A-, Tampa is one one the NHL’s top teams after a
horrendous start. The Bolts had way too much talent to flounder
and have since gone on a long winning streak. Forwards Nikita
Kucherov, Brandon Hagel and Jake Guentzal are putting on a
show most nights even though their defense has been plagued
with injuries.
Florida C-, The 2 time defending Stanley Cup Champs have
played this season without their 2 best forwards Sasha Barkov
and Matthew Tkachuk. Happy hangover vibes and Brad
Marchand carried the Big Cats early but a lackluster Sergei
Bobrovsky in net has left a post season participation in doubt.
Buffalo D+, Buffalo was not supposed to be good but they're
embarrassing on most nights. The nights the Swords look good
make the other nights even more frustrating.Tage Thompson and
Alex Tuch are auditioning for the trade deadline.
Toronto C- Toronto has finally bought into playing heavy hockey.
The Leafs took 8 weeks to realized Mitch Marner was not even
close to being replaced. What’s the bigger question in Toronto ?
Is Auston Matthews still a superstar or do we need to get another
goalie because 1a Anthony Stolarz and 1b Joe Woll can’t stay
healthy?
METRO :
Pittsburgh A, Head Coach Dan Muse has got every Penguins
player to play above what was expected of them. Hall of Famers
Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson are playing like
it’s 10 years ago. All of GM Kyle Dubas summer transactions
have paid dividends. The much maligned goaltender Tristen Jarry
has been stellar in net.
Philadelphia A, Head Coach Rick Tocchet has done more with
less than any coach in the NHL. Trevor Zegras’ shootout points
inflate their place in the standings but the Flyers still had to get to
the shootout.
Rangers C-, Mike Sullivan’s inaugural season with the Rangers
has not gone as planned. They have a terrible home record
because they can’t score at MSG. The Rangers are disjointed.
The Rangers are not playing as a team. Individuals are playing
good at times but rarely as a team.They Rangers are mid even
with the exceptional play in net form Igor Shesterkin and
Johnathan Quick.
Washington B+, Washington has caught their stride after a
sluggish start. Alexander Ovechkin appears to be aiming for 1000
career goals. Tom Wilson appears to be aiming for a spot on the
Canadian Olympic team. So does goaltender LoganThompson.
Carolina B, Carolina is playing their usual brand of winning yet
boring hockey. Rookie Brandon Bussi may finally give Carolia a
goalie who can win a big playoff series .
Islanders A, Number 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer has not
only made himself front runner for Rookie of the Year he also
breathed life into this stale franchise. The Fishermen are now
thinking playoffs not rebuild.
New Jersey B-, New Jersey has fallen apart after superstar
center Jack Hughes got injured at a steak house. Pre injury they
were Eastern Conference favorites now they are trying to hang on
to a playoff spot.
Columbus C-, The Blue Jackets were expecting to make the
playoffs this season. They need to win the close games they are
playing just good enough to lose.
