Month: August 2023

Carolina Hurricanes {2^nd overall} Eastern Conference, Metropolitan Division

Since 1979 the Carolina franchise has won over 50 games twice and they were the last two seasons, first advancing to the second round, and last year advancing to the Conference Finals and in the past five seasons HC Brind’Amour has led his team to the playoffs each opportunity.

Hurricanes do not score many goals but they had 12 players that scored in double digits last season and they allowed only 213 goals against, three goaltenders earning low GAAs and high save percentages with a defense led by Brent Burns and Shayne Gostisbehere and now Tony DeAngelo.

The Carolina Hurricanes have joined nine other teams this upcoming preseason in scheduling two preseason games in one day, and the ‘Canes begin their 2023-24 season striving for their fourth straight division title with aspirations to advance deeper and more successfully in this year’s playoffs.

New Jersey Devils {3^rd overall} Eastern Conference, Metropolitan Division

New Jersey missed being their division champions by one point, the Devils won 52 games earning 112 points for the best regular season in this franchise’s history then opened the playoffs by dropping the first two games before earning two shutouts and taking the series in seven games.

Two seasons ago goaltender Akira Schmid was 0-4 then this past November he earned his first victory but was fourth on the depth chart and became the backup at the end of the 2022-23 regular NHL season.

Mr. Schmid started last season’s playoffs as the backup and when New Jersey went down 2-0 he replaced Mr. Blackwood in the third game in net winning his first playoff game in overtime and then pitched two shutouts to help New Jersey advance.

New Jersey has all the right things going for them, offense, defense, startling good goaltending with Mr. Schmid and Mr. Vanecek, Centers Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, and with Dougie Hamilton leading the ninth overall defense in the league the future is brightly lit towards their fourth Cup.

Toronto Maple Leafs {tied for 4^th overall} Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division

Toronto has won 50 or more games the past two seasons with last season accumulating the fourth-best goal differential, lost only eight games at home, 5th overall in goals against, advancing in the opening round over Tampa Bay in a six-game series with three overtimes.

Maple Leafs Alternate Captain Austin Matthews who was selected 1^st overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has extended his contract by four seasons, LW Tyler Bertuzzi, journeyman Max Domi, and G Martin Jones are also joining the Leafs in an effort to increase the team’s playoff advancement possibilities.

The Toronto Maple Leafs in 106 NHL seasons have won over 3,000 games, earned their way into the playoffs 72 times, and won the Stanley Cup 13 times, this storied franchise could produce another 50+ win season in 2023-24 and claim their 14^th championship.

Las Vegas Golden Knights {tied for 4^th overall} Western Conference, Pacific Division

The Knights goaltending carousel of injuries from February into the playoffs led to the emergence of Adin Hill who in 14 playoff games earned two shutouts, 11 victories, 2.17 GAA, and a .932 save percentage to help his Knights capture the Cup.

Las Vegas won 51 regular season games winning 25 games at home and 26 on the road earning them the Pacific Division and Western Conference titles then they were even better in the playoffs offensively with Captain Stone, misters Marchessault, Stephenson, and Karlsson scoring goals in double digits.

Winning the Stanley Cup back-to-back is a nearly insurmountable task that only eight teams have accomplished in over 100 years of playoffs with just three of them in the last three decades now Las Vegas has earned their shot to become the ninth team to accomplish this feat.

Edmonton Oilers {tied for 6^th overall} Western Conference, Pacific Division

The Oilers were an offensive juggernaut last season compiling the second-best goal differential with a +65, scoring over 300 goals and scoring 20 more goals than the number one team in the League, and finished the season on a nine-game winning streak.

After two overtime games in the opening round, Edmonton was down 2-1 but then scored 16 goals over the next three games to advance where they met the eventual Cup winner in round two.

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman discussed the pain of the early playoff exits the last two seasons to the eventual Cup winners and how it is not a moral victory but a lesson and experience that will assist them in their efforts toward winning the Cup in the 2023-24 season.