NHL Midseason Shockers: Surprising Teams Dominate Conference Standings

With the NHL season on the verge of its halfway level, there are many stunning tales to relish. A fair proportion of shockingly disappointing tales additionally—particularly for the New York state squads—however allow us to put these to the facet for now. 

Perhaps probably the most stunning squads are these atop the convention standings.

If anyone predicted on the eve of the season that after Jan. 4 the highest 4 golf equipment within the Western Convention can be the Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild and Los Angeles Kings, they might have been given extra than simply sideways glances.

That might have gone double if anyone stated the Japanese Convention would have a one-two punch of the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs.

However the success of these squads so far is well-earned.

The Golden Knights have been a top-notch membership for the reason that starting of their existence, however with how they pale final season and have been bumped from the playoffs with barely a whimper, this didn’t seem within the playing cards however is going on because of a dominating season by Jack Eichel and a wholesome Mark Stone.

Winnipeg has confirmed to be extra than simply goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, with Gabriel Vilardi’s breakout season including to a staff that has Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele main the assault.

Of the Western golf equipment, the most important shock often is the Wild, who’ve overcome a continuing wave of accidents, which has even hit their high participant and a reputable Hart Trophy candidate, Kirill Kaprizov.

The Kings have been a playoff staff for the previous few years and bounced by the Edmonton Oilers within the first spherical of the Stanley Cup playoff in three consecutive seasons however are rolling with a goaltending tandem of Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich because of a balanced lineup.

Talking of groups which have been to the playoffs with nice regularity however get pleasure from far too little success, the Maple Leafs are using excessive regardless of their very own stunning goaltending from Joseph Woll and the oft-injured Anthony Stolarz. Weird is the document with the 10-5-0 document they managed in the course of the two stints with out Auston Matthews. Perhaps their followers who’re clamoring to see Mitch Marner traded away ought to rethink that concept.

Which brings us to the final staff amongst this group of what some would say are overachievers: the Capitals. Most figured this season can be all about Alex Ovechkin’s chase for Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring document and little else, with the doubtless situation that Ovechkin would internet thirty-something targets and be able to interrupt the mark subsequent season.

Apparently studies of Ovechkin’s demise had been exaggerated. Regardless of missing more than a month due to a broken leg, Ovechkin has already scored 19 targets in 23 video games. He has netted 9 targets in his final seven video games and 4 in 5 outings since getting back from harm, leaving him 23 shy of breaking Gretzky’s mark of 894.

Ovechkin’s prowess is a front-burner story, however is overshadowing how spectacular the Capitals have been as an entire. They boast the league’s second most prolific assault with a balanced lineup, and that isn’t the most important key.

Defensively, the Capitals are sixth within the league and their penalty kill is fourth. Frankly, goaltender Logan Thompson was undeservedly snubbed whereas being left off Canada’s staff for the 4 Nations Face-Off, however Washington’s potential to maintain the puck out of the online can also be a byproduct of a staff dedication to defending. 

For his potential to maintain Ovechkin’s offensive push a key a part of the sport plan whereas sustaining sturdy defensive play, coach Spencer Carbery deserves way more credit score than he’s receiving.