What We Know About Canada's NHL Teams So Far
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We have hit two weeks into the NHL season for the Canadian teams. Time is always undefeated and just steadily speeds along. The Calgary Flames, by far, have gotten off to the best start at 6-1. Sadly, there is still the Vancouver Canucks. At 0-5-2, the Canucks and Bruce Boudreau still cannot escape their issues. Then, there are Winnipeg, Montreal, and so much more.
Let’s dive into this. After all, it is getting frosty up there.
Calgary Flames
Calgary stands on top of the Pacific Division at 5-1 after efficiently disposing of the Pittsburgh Penguins this week. The Flames might be more balanced than last season. If Jacob Markstrom can get past his fear of the Edmonton Oilers, the Flames will be or should be an odds-on favourite to go the deepest in the playoffs.
For those wondering, Toronto had an insurmountable lead in the numbers on Canadian sites. Now, Calgary is at 10.36. These teams are second and third in the odds of lifting Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Pundits have been quick to jump on Calgary and for a good reason. Keep in mind that it is early. Oh, Calgary and Edmonton play on Saturday night.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs must like the movie “Groundhog Day.” Another slow October start has them at 4-3 while on a West Coast trip to California. Next up is the San Jose Sharks, a team the Leafs lost to last October. Their defense has started to look better as they held Vegas to three goals. The offense averaged 2.71 goals per game.
Ontario sports betting players are concerned, and betting sites are taking note. Their numbers are lengthening for the Stanley Cup. Is Canada finally learning? Maybe.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers won two out of three last week. Don't worry too much. At 3-3, the Oilers are still in an OK position. In its 6-3 comeback win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton did not need a single point from Connor McDavid. That is the first time in his career that the Oilers scored four or more times without a single point from “the world’s best player.”
Edmonton will be tested a bit tonight in St. Louis and then continue their three-game in four night stretch in Chicago, then make a stop for the “Battle Of Alberta Part Two” on Saturday night. It figures to be a challenging week for McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Co.
Vancouver Canucks
Bruce Boudreau and the Canucks might be on borrowed time. Their 0-5-2 start has them four points out of a playoff spot already. That does not sound like a lot, but the team has already played seven games. Against Carolina, Vancouver played better but was outshot 15-3 in the third period. They managed to squeeze out a goal but still lost 3-2.
This may be what Vancouver has become. Are they a bad team that went on a good run last year? Now, this is a question that has an unknown answer. Worse, Quinn Hughes is now out week-to-week with an injury. Brock Boeser and even Bo Horvat have been banged up in the past week. Furthermore, their defense cannot stop anything late in games. Honestly, Thatcher Demko can only do so much. He has given up three or more goals in every start.
They play Thursday in Seattle before settling in for another four-game homestand. At some point, home has to feel like home. Maybe. Otherwise, changes will have to be made.
Ottawa Senators
Ottawa's 2022-23 season will play out. The Senators are one fun team when they are scoring goals. After losing two straight, Ottawa has reeled off four victories. In those four wins, Ottawa has scored 22 goals.
With games against Florida, Tampa Bay, and Minnesota, the good times may continue, at least from an offensive standpoint. Alas, entertainment means good to bet.
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal is a young team just finding itself in the hockey world. Wins and losses do not mean quite as much. However, the Canadiens are a respectable 3-4.
Their usually inept power play is clicking at an even worse 4.8% in the early going, and they are getting solid goaltending. Add in some timely and youthful goal-scoring, and that is Montreal.
Martin St. Louis and Kent Hughes have the team pointed in the right direction. It will just take time.
Winnipeg Jets
Despite some exciting decision-making, Scott Arniel has Winnipeg at 3-3, right around where the Jets were expected to be. Rick Bowness is still battling the effects of COVID-19 and will be phased into his work as head coach.
Winnipeg’s goal differential is -1 and was expected to be around zero for the early portion of the season. Nik Ehlers being out several weeks does put a crimp on their offense. Right now, their special teams’ numbers are most alarming (10.6% Power Play, 73.3% Penalty Kill). How long can their even-strength play carry them? That is the question mark. We will find out.
Next week we will keep on rolling, and do not forget “Coaches Hot Seat” column comes out again this Friday. Thanks for reading.
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