Anaheim Ducks
Given that the Ducks are placed sixth in the Pacific Division, their odds of making the playoffs are slim. A gaping hole in what seems to be a lackluster season for Ducks is their goaltending. Not only are both backup goalies allowing an average of 3.64 goals a game, but starter Lukas Dostal is also allowing 2.93 goals a game (GAA), and has more losses than wins on his record. This makes the Ducks have a slim chance to make the playoffs.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres have had a worse than abysmal season so far. They rank eighth in the Atlantic Division and are in need of a huge turnaround to at minimum salvage a respectable season. Both their starting goalies, Ukko-Peka Luukkonen has a GAA of almost three while backup Devon Levi has a GAA of 4.12, both with underwhelming save percentages (SV%) which are both under .900. We can also point fingers at center Tage Thompson who only has 48 points on the season, but still leads the team. The horrid skating and goal scoring could be a determining factor in the Sabres’ bad year. Unless there is a miraculous 180 from the Sabres, the Buffalo Sabres will be longshots to try for the playoffs.
Chicago Blackhawks
Many had high expectations for the Blackhawks this year. I always thought those hopes were too high. Connor Bedard is too young to be able to carry the whole franchise, and this year has demonstrated that. They’re in eighth place in the Central Division and have no hope of getting better. I see them in a tough position for the playoffs.
Detroit Red Wings
Let’s be honest: the Red Wings have not been good this year. They’re sixth in the Atlantic Division with mediocre skating stats. Their goalies have an average GAA over three and okay SV%’s. Detroit needs more from wingers Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. Defenseman Moritz Seider also needs to perform better to have a slight chance at an okay season. The wings are a longshot to make the playoffs and the Stanley.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are 24-23-5 and seventh in the Atlantic, and the skating is decent. Nick Suzuki leads the team in points and assists at 52. Although goalie Sam Montembeault had a great start to the season, he now has a GAA of 2.99. The Canadiens are seeming to need more for the playoffs.
Nashville Predators
The Predators have not been good this year. They've disappointed Nashville, a city seeming to not get enough hockey. They’re seventh in the Central Division, and their skating has needed more, but more than anything they rank 25th in Goals Against per game. Their goalies have played relatively well, except for third stringer Scott Wedgewood. Despite having a loyal fan base, the predators are longshots for the cup.
New York Islanders
If you look at the Islanders’ stats, they are truly horrific. They rank 32nd in power play percentage with 12%, and 30th in penalty kill with 70%. The Islanders’ record reflects a better season than they’ve actually played. Ilya Sorokin gave the Islanders a relatively good start especially when compared to how he’s been playing for the last couple months, but since the new year he’s improved substantially. His SV% has gotten back up above .900 and he’s lowered his GAA by 0.30 points. The Islanders are longshots from the Stanley Cup at best.
New York Rangers
The Rangers, like New York’s other team, have played a poor year. Although star winger Artemi Panarin has had a great year at 33. The rest of the team has struggled. Goaltending has been bad with an average GAA of 3.08. The Rangers rank sixth in the Metropolitan Division, which could be the result of poor goaltending and offense. Defensively, New York has done unexpectedly well as they rank eighth in penalty kill, but 19th in power play. The Rangers have not played the way fans hoped to see, giving them a rocky chance to make the playoffs.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers haven’t had the year they’ve wanted. They’re seventh in the Metropolitan Division, with they’re skaters who haven’t been great. The best part of the season for the Flyers has been winger Travis Konecny, who leads the team in points, goals, and assists. The real weak spot for the Flyers though has been goaltending. The goalies for Philly have an average of 3.33 GAA and a SV% of .884, which is incredibly rough. Their power play has been bottom of the league where they only score 15.5% of the time when they have the man advantage. Although Philly may not be in a spot as bad as the Islanders in power plays, they still have a long way to go, making them a longshot team for the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have had a bad year. The team which I considered a dark horse only a month or two ago is now seventh in the Metropolitan Division. The problem the Penguins have faced so far are goals against per game due to a lackluster defensive effort. They rank 31st in the league with 3.50 goals on average. For many years, center Sidney Crosby has been the face of the league. This year, Crosby has played up to expectations as he caps the team in points. The Penguins’ kryptonite is goaltending and star goalie Tristan Jarry who has been struggling a lot. His GAA is 3.02 , and his SV% .899. This can explain the team ranking 31st in goals allowed. The Penguins are not looking to be in contention for the Stanley.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks are the worst team in the league, for the second year in a row. They are eighth in the Pacific Division, and have a record of 15-33-6. Though this year has been dim, rookie Macklin Celebrini has been a player for Sharks fans to be proud of. He is second in the team in points and goals. Mikael Granlund has also played well throughout the year, but was recently traded to Dallas. After Mackenzie Blackwood was struggling, the Sharks traded him to Colorado, leaving Vitek Vanecek the starter who has been even worse. His GAA is 3.84 (one of the highest in the league) and his SV% .885. They rank bottom 10 in power play percentage and goals against per game. The Sharks are past hoping for a Stanley Cup this year, but fans can look forward to the future, since the Sharks have good potential in young players.
Seattle Kraken
The second newest team in the NHL, the Seattle Kraken, haven’t had a good season to say the least. They are seventh in the Pacific league, which is disappointing since the Kraken made the playoffs last year and were eliminated by the Dallas Stars who went on to the Western Conference championship. Starting goalie Joey Daccord has had a great year boosting a great GAA at 2.45. The team is not accumulating good stats as they’re below average in power plays, penalty kill, and goals against per game. The Kraken are looking into the playoffs from the outside after the great season they had last year.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues didn’t have a good start, but have gotten their acts together while coasting at fifth place in the Central Division. Their goaltending hasn’t been great as the average GAA is three. The skating has also been poor, as the team ranks 25th in powerplay goals and only has 386 total points. Overall, the Blues are not looking to make the playoffs even though they’ve improved as of late.
Utah Hockey Club
The newest addition to the NHL is the Utah Hockey Club. For a first-year team, Utah hasn’t been shabby. They started the year better than they have been, but for a new team, they’ve played well overall. They’re currently fifth in the Central Division and have good players such as Dylan Guenther and Clayton Keller. Although Connor Ingram has struggled, Karel Vejmelka has picked up the pace and took over the starting role. Utah has a promising future, but this year they are not likely to make the playoffs and Stanley.
