sbnation
Just over two weeks into the NHL campaign, the league has already delivered plenty of surprises. While a long season remains, early patterns are starting to separate the contenders from the pretenders, and fans of some teams are already reaching for the panic button.
Two of the most captivating stories so far are the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers. Both clubs, which were expected to be far from playoff contention, have stormed out of the gates. They now sit in the top 10 after being ranked 29th and 23rd, respectively, in the preseason poll. Whether they can maintain this pace is still up for debate.
Hurricanes Find Another Gear
The Carolina Hurricanes appear even stronger than their Stanley Cup-winning form, defying the usual post-championship regression. After a sluggish 0-2 start, they have rattled off six consecutive victories, including wins against quality opponents.
Carolina's identity has long been built on balanced scoring rather than relying on a few superstars, typically seeing five or six players finish with 60-plus points instead of multiple point-per-game threats. This season, they are accomplishing both. Sebastian Aho has 13 points in eight games, while Andrei Svechnikov has 11. Both players, once criticized for underachieving, now look like elite NHL talents. The Hurricanes have six players on pace for over 60 points, with Aho and Svechnikov threatening to surpass 100 points each. This new level of play makes them a fearsome opponent.
Oilers on a Mission
In Edmonton, the Oilers are playing with urgency, fully aware that their championship window is narrowing. Connor McDavid effectively gave the team a two-year ultimatum when he signed a contract designed to pressure the franchise into immediate contention, or risk losing him in 2027-28.
The undefeated Oilers currently sit atop the Western Conference, and the rise of Vasily Podkolzin as a scoring threat has added a new dimension to their top lines. With superstars like McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard leading the way, complemented by emerging young talent, Edmonton is a team to watch.
Stars' Offensive Woes
Dallas remains solid defensively, but their inability to score is alarming. Getting only two goals each from Mikko Rantanen and Jason Robertson is unacceptable given their salaries and defensive shortcomings. Scoring is supposed to be their primary contribution, and it is simply not happening.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger has been stellar, posting a .944 save percentage and a 1.20 goals-against average, yet he holds a 2-2 record because the team cannot find the net. This must change quickly, or it will be a long season in Dallas.
Flyers in Freefall
Philadelphia's season has been a disaster. After a playoff run last year, many believed the Flyers would take a step forward, especially with Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov poised for breakouts. Instead, the team has been woeful.
They cannot score, their passing is mediocre, their defense is poor, and Daniel Vladar has regressed in goal. The Flyers are winless, with a minus-21 goal differential, ranking 32nd in goals for and 31st in goals against. There is little positive to say about their start.
Originally reported by sbnation.