When you start the season 12-2-2, you've earned the right to be called Stanley Cup favorites. Such is the case with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have earned 30 of a possible 36 points to begin the campaign.
That part makes sense.
What is more curious, however, is that Las Vegas oddsmakers have listed the Pittsburgh Penguins as the second favorite along with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Penguins are 9-7-3 and play awful away from home, so to be sitting as the second favorites almost a quarter into the year doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But, then again, the club still does employ the services of a couple of guys named Sid and Geno, so we really shouldn't be all that shocked that Pittsburgh is among those currently favored to take home Lord Stanley's mug.
Here is the complete list of updated odds for 2018 Stanley Cup winner. Hedge your bets accordingly:
Over the last handful of years there have been some constants with the Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron will win faceoffs, Brad Marchand will piss off the opposition, and Tuukka Rask will pester opposing shooters.
For the most part, this still remains the case today, albeit with one asterisk; Rask has not been the stellar goaltender that fans have come to expect.
Since collecting the Vezina Trophy during the 2013-14 campaign, Rask's play has been quietly declining. He remains a steady option for the Bruins and doesn't deserve to be run out of town, but many of the underlying numbers are quite telling.
Since being named the league's top goaltender three seasons ago, Rask has put up a respectable 105-69-28 record in 210 games, but claims a save percentage of .917 and a goals-against average of 2.39. Those totals are just the 22nd- and 18th-best, respectively, among all goaltenders to play at least 50 games - fair, but not elite. His even-strength save percentage over that time sits at .923, good enough for only the 26th spot.
Of course, there is the quality of shots Rask has faced over the last three years. Once again, the numbers are alarming.
Category
Stat (Rank)
LDSV%
98.41 (8th)
LDSA
2 331 (2nd)
MDSV%
91.43 (45th)
MDSA
1 482 (2nd)
HDSV%
75.62 (56th)
HDSA
730 (12th)
Among the 60 goalies to play at least 2,500 minutes at 5-on-5.
Here you can see Rask has faced the second-most low-danger and mid-danger shots among qualified goalies, but while his low-danger save percentage ranks high, the better the quality of chances, the lower Rask ranks - much lower.
Among all 60 goalies to play at least 2,500 minutes Rask has the 45th- and 56th- ranked mid-danger and high-danger save percentages at 5-on-5, respectively.
What makes these numbers so troublesome is how they compare to the three-year span from 2011-12 to the 2013-14 campaign.
During those three years, Rask boasted the top save percentage and even-strength save percentage at .929 and .938 marks, respectively, while also accumulating a 2.03 goals-against average, good enough for third overall.
The shot-quality metrics were also much more in his favor during that time.
Category
Stat (Rank)
LDSV%
97.96 (21st)
LDSA
1 326 (17th)
MDSV%
92.03 (26th)
MDSA
816 (23rd)
HDSV%
84 (2nd)
HDSA
425 (26th)
Among the 47 goalies to play at least 2,500 minutes at 5-on-5.
What's most startling here is that Rask - unlike in recent years - actually thrived in high-danger situations, stopping the second-highest percentage of high-danger shots in the league.
It's worth noting that Rask faced far fewer shots against across the board during this time, which is due in part to the fact Tim Thomas played the majority of games during the 2011-12 season.
All things considered, it's quite evident that Rask has seen a drop in his play. That being said, the Bruins are no longer the team they once were. Zdeno Chara has begun to show his age, the team's defense corps is not nearly as strong, and overall, the team no longer thrives playing a defensive brand of hockey.
All of this can impact Rask's play, but it can't explain it all. This season, Rask is off to a 3-6-2 start in 11 games, owning a 2.79 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. Consequently, the Bruins sit just four points above the Eastern Conference basement.
At just 30 years old, Rask should not be seeing this type of regression solely due to aging. He remains under contract for the next three seasons and will make $7 million per year; that's elite money for a goaltender that no longer should be considered as such.
The 25-year-old paced the league in scoring with six goals and seven points in four games, including his first career hat trick to help his club earn a split on its Eastern road trip. Zucker has been a lone wolf in the Wild's goal-scoring department over the last three games, tallying the team's last six goals.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov earned yet another weekly star honor after recording two goals and five assists in three games. He continues to lead the league with 16 goals. His strong showing also helped him and forward Steven Stamkos become the first teammates since the 2005-06 season to reach the 30-point mark before their club's 20th game of the year.
Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby rounds out the three stars after going a perfect 3-0-0 with a .952 save percentage and a 1.27 goals-against average. The week included a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins that saw the 28-year-old become the second-fastest goalie in NHL history to record 200 wins.
The following five players have been counted on more than ever before this season, and all five have risen to the occasion. Here's a look at how they've each become invaluable members of their respective teams.
John Carlson, Capitals
Heading into Sunday's games, Carlson was the NHL's average time on ice (ATOI) leader, having played an astounding 27:13 per night - nearly five more minutes than his career average. Washington's offseason departures of defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk, Karl Alzner, and Nate Schmidt have forced Carlson to step up, and he's delivered.
The 27-year-old is on pace for a career-high 62 points and has the second-best giveaway-takeaway ratio of his career. In the midst of a contract season, Carlson is set for a huge payday if he can keep up this pace.
Anze Kopitar, Kings
Kopitar already has a Selke, a Byng, and two Stanley Cups, but this year he's playing like he wants a Hart Trophy. He's also averaging a career-high 22:21 time on ice, second most among NHL forwards.
With the Kings' leading goal-scorer from a year ago, Jeff Carter, having only played six games due to injury, Kopitar has picked up the slack. Despite being a playmaker throughout most of his career, he's on pace for his first 40-goal season.
Sean Couturier, Flyers
Seven years into his NHL career, Couturier is finally showing the offensive side of his game that put him into the discussion to be chosen first overall at the 2011 NHL Draft.
Used primarily as a shutdown center prior to this season, Couturier vaulted to the top of the Flyers' depth chart when Claude Giroux shifted from center to left wing. While playing on a line with Giroux and Jakub Voracek, Couturier has amassed 10 goals and nine assists. He's never scored more than 15 goals or reached 40 points in a season.
Deryk Engelland, Golden Knights
There's late bloomers, and then there's Deryk Engelland. The 35-year-old blue-liner's ATOI of 19:12 is nearly four minutes more than his career average. For the bulk of his career, his hands were primarily used for throwing haymakers, but this year he's used them to collect nine points through 16 games - just eight points shy of his career high.
As a longtime resident of Las Vegas, perhaps Engelland just needed to play a bit closer to home to find his offensive touch. While it's doubtful he maintains this pace, his success has nonetheless been a great story in the early going.
Vladislav Namestnikov, Lightning
Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov have been making all the headlines, but the third member of the NHL's most potent line is quietly enjoying a huge breakout season.
Namestnikov is playing over four more minutes per night than his career average, and has made good use of the extra time, tallying eight goals and 10 assists in 17 games. Surely, he wouldn't have these numbers if not for his stud linemates, but the leaps he's made in his game can't be overlooked.
Finland and Russia came out on top in a pair of tournaments in preparation for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
On Sunday, Team Finland defeated Team Canada to secure its third victory in as many games at the Karjala Cup to finish with a 3-0 showing.
Mika Pyorala, who spent the 2009-10 season with the Philadelphia Flyers, was Finland's top scorer, picking up four points.
Mikhail Grigorenko, a former first-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, laced up for Team Russia and led the tournament with six points. Team Canada's top scorer was Gilbert Brule, who last appeared in the NHL with the Arizona Coyotes. Brule finished with two points.
Team Canada's roster included a handful of former NHLers, including Wojtek Wolski and Mason Raymond.
Here's how the final standings shook out:
Rank
Team
W
OTW
OTL
L
Pts
1
Finland
3
0
0
0
9
2
Russia
2
0
0
1
6
3
Sweden
2
0
0
1
6
4
Canada
1
0
0
2
3
5
Czech Republic
1
0
0
2
3
6
Switzerland
0
0
0
3
0
Meanwhile, Team Russia took the top spot in the four-team Deutschland Cup, posting a perfect record over three games.
Artyom Fyodorov, who suits up for the KHL's Salavat Yulaev Ufa, led the tournament with six points. Mark Arcobello, who previously played for five NHL squads, led the Americans with two points in three games.
Team USA, whose lineup featured former Sabres captain Brian Gionta, went winless in the tournament, losing its final game to Germany on Sunday.
Rank
Team
W
OTW
OTL
L
Pts
1
Russia
3
0
0
0
9
2
Slovakia
2
0
0
1
6
3
Germany
1
0
0
2
3
4
United States
0
0
0
3
0
As the Winter Olympics draw nearer, the competing nations will continue to construct their final rosters over the coming months.
On the back of the unfortunate news that Anton Slepyshev was placed on injured reserve, the Oilers called up their prized 2016 first-round selection from the Bakersfield Condors.
For Puljujarvi, his promotion to the big club came after a questionable second professional season in North America, one that has seen him post just one goal and five points in 10 AHL games.
Last season, Puljujarvi tallied one goal - scored in the first game of the season - and eight points in 28 games with the Oilers before being sent down to the Condors in January for the remainder of the campaign.
Puljujarvi went the remainder of the year notching a respectable 12 goals and 28 points in 39 games. However, with a dip in production to begin his second stint in the AHL, it's clear there remains some skepticism regarding the 19-year-old's game.
"I think the talent is OK, but you get better by finding open spots, working hard," Mike Griffith of the Bakersfield Californian told theScore. "If he's all everyone wants him to be, I would think he would find a way to be dominant. How much is mental? I don't know. I think last year he probably was a little mentally burnt out and stuff. His numbers were OK last year, but they weren’t 'wow this is the next big thing.'"
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
The call-up also comes at an interesting time for the Oilers. After a dreadful start to the season, the team had raddled off three wins in their last four games prior to Saturday, but had only averaged two goals per game over that span.
It's the lack of offense that explains the decision, and head coach Todd McLellan insists Puljujarvi will be given a chance to make an impact. Playing alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Milan Lucic, the hope is he can aid the team with what historically has been his biggest strength - creating offense.
"We'll likely play him in the top six and we look for his shot and ability to score," McLellan said Friday, according to Paul Gazzola and Chris Wescott of EdmontonOilers.com. "We'll see if he's been able to work on some of the things we asked him to defensively and his checking skills."
Through the first month and a half of the season, all signs suggest Puljujarvi has taken the Oilers' constructive criticism to heart, making improvements to his overall game.
"I think his wall play has improved, but from last year it almost had to, there was nothing but going up," said Griffith. "He's a big guy, but I don't think he ever battled that hard on the wall last year. I think his wall play has certainly improved this year."
This was also quite evident Saturday afternoon in Puljujarvi's first game since being called up. He tallied one of the Oilers' two goals in a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers, finishing with five shots and two hits, recording 15:37 of ice time.
So, while his offensive numbers in the AHL may not have been great to begin the year, it is evident that Puljujarvi has developed his overall skill set. Griffith notes that Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli has also been impressed with what he's seen out of the Fin this season.
Meanwhile, it's worth noting that a certain Oilers star faced similar hardships before becoming a mainstay in the lineup.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
After being plucked third overall in 2014, Leon Draisaitl was sent down to the Western Hockey League after recording just two goals and nine points in 37 games with the Oilers.
The following season he started with the Condors, tallying just one goal and one assist in six games before being recalled by the club after an injury to Jordan Eberle. He made an immediate impact - remaining with the club - finishing the year with 19 goals and 51 points in 72 games. The rest is history.
"If I can make a comparison, he's (Puljujarvi) been here a lot longer than Draisiatl's six or seven games," said Griffith. "He (Draisaitl) had a definite 'wow' factor and he only got called up because of injuries. They weren’t planning to call him or (Darnell) Nurse up then. That was the pre-change of all the hierarchy there in Edmonton too and those guys were supposed to be down there probably until December or something, but there was injuries and whatnot and boom, never to come back."
For Puljujarvi, it's now time for him to follow in the footsteps of Draisaitl. On a team many have coined potential Stanley Cup favorites, there will only be so much time allotted for players to get up to speed and get the hang of things.
Puljujarvi has been gifted a rare and sizable opportunity to show he can still be the same dynamic player that turned heads during the 2016 World Junior Championship. On Saturday he made a great first impression in his return, but as coaches will tell you, you're only as good as your next game. It will be up to Puljujarvi to maintain his strong play if he plans to permanently cement his spot with the big club.
