Four Most Surprising Teams Entering NHL All-Star Break
The 2023-24 NHL season has seen a plethora of thrilling moments with multiple teams going on extended hot streaks and others performing above their predicted expectations coming into the season. Currently, the Edmonton Oilers are riding a league best 14-game win streak, with their win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks have surged to the top of the league standings, with an impressive first-half performance on the ice. As we enter the last weekend prior to the NHL All-Star Break, there are teams that have pleasantly gone above expectations coming into the season. However, there are also teams that have failed to live up to expectations and are searching for a second-half reset heading down the stretch run. Since we have reached the mid-season point, it is a good time to dive in on the most surprising teams thus far this season.
1. Vancouver Canucks
Following three straight seasons of unimpressive and mediocre hockey, the Vancouver Canucks were not on the short list of teams expected to become a surprising contender this season. However, the Canucks have managed to silence the critics, as they have put together an unexpected dominant first-half performance entering the break next week. Currently, the Canucks hold the best-record in the league, with a record of 32-11-4 for 68 points through 47 games played. The turn-around season for Vancouver has been led by defenseman Quinn Hughes, who has remained one of the league's best at his position since his rookie season in 2019-20. Under head coach Rick Tocchet, Hughes has found a new level of aggression on the attack, as he has already surpassed his career-high in goals (8), with 12 goals so far.
Another factor behind the Canucks’ resurgent season involves the dominant goaltending performance that goaltender Thatcher Demko has been providing. Demko’s dominant performance in the net has him as a top contender for the Vezina Trophy (best goaltender). In 34 games played, Demko is tied with Colorado’s Alexander Georgiev for the league’s best in wins with 25. As well, Demko is top-five in save percentage (.922) and top-three in saves (951). With a top-goaltender in Demko and a ferocious offense, which has them leading in goals scored (178), the Canucks will remain a force to be reckoned with heading into the second half.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
Since coming into the league in 2005, captain Sidney Crosby and the Penguins have been one of the league's most consistent and dangerous teams each season. In the Crosby era, the Penguins have won four division titles, four conference championships and three Stanley Cup Championships. However, over the past two seasons, the Penguins have surprisingly failed to meet their high expectations with underwhelming performances on the ice. For the first time since 2006, the Penguins missed out on the 2022-23 playoffs, after finishing fifth in the Metropolitan Division. Even with hopes of looking to rebound from last season’s failures, the Penguins have continued to fall back onto the trends that led to last season’s disappointing ending.
Despite an aggressive off-season by new general manager Kyle Dubas, who traded for defenseman Erik Karlsson and re-signed goaltender Tristan Jarry. Through 44 games played, the Penguins sit in seventh place of the Metropolitan Division, with a record of 21-17-6 for 48 points. The problem for the Penguins has been their lackluster offensive performance during 5-on-5 and powerplay opportunities. Currently, the Penguins are 21st in the league with only 2.98 goals-per-game. Meanwhile, the squad has the second-worst rate on the man advantage, as they have only converted on 13.3% of power-play opportunities. With high expectations for Karlsson, the star-defenseman has had an under-whelming season, with only seven goals and 26 assists through 44 games played. To put it plainly, the Penguins must become more prolific offensively if they are to re-enter the Eastern Conference playoff chase.
3. Boston Bruins
The retirements of centers David Krejčí and Patrice Bergeron, along with the trades and free agency exits of veterans Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno, Dmitry Orlov, and Tyler Bertuzzi, cost the Bruins a great deal of skill this summer. Even if it was natural to anticipate a significant decline in their play, they are still among the NHL's top teams halfway through the season. The Bruins still have some elite players in David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy despite losing important starters, but their goaltender tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman has had the largest influence. They are still one of the greatest goalie teams in the NHL, and they are covering up a lot of potential weaknesses on this club.
Currently, they hold a 29-8-9 record for 67 points and the best mark in the Eastern Conference. However, the Bruins could still use some more scoring depth, as they have seen a decrease in expected goals compared to last season. Entering play on Wednesday, the Bruins have an expected goals percentage of 50.46% for 15th in the league. That percentage ranked sixth in the league at 53.77% a year ago. That decline is hidden by Ullmark and Swayman’s constant mastery. The Bruins should remain a Stanley Cup contender as long as their dynamic goalie duo maintains their dominant performance.
4. Philadelphia Flyers
The only thing that was expected of the Flyers going into the season was that they would be terrible, so you have to give them a lot of credit. They lacked star power, had a weak roster, had traded even more veterans this offseason, and were perceived as rebuilding. However, the Flyers have managed to resurge into contention this season, as they are in second place of the Metropolitan Division, with a record of 25-17-6 for 56 points. Head coach John Tortorella has the team playing hard, exciting hockey and in playoff contention even though they lack offensive weapons on the roster. They play a strong defensive game (their 2.57 expected goals against per 60 minutes ranks 19th in the NHL) and an aggressive offensive style that creates a lot of odd-man rush opportunities.
The fact that Sean Couturier is back after nearly missing two entire seasons due to a back injury is one of the season's biggest positive developments. He has been a significant pickup and has at least given them a viable No. 1 center. In addition, Cam Atkinson, who missed the entire previous season, returned. Though there is still much work ahead of them and this club is far from perfect, no one in Philadelphia will be grumbling about an unexpectedly competitive, incredibly hard-working team that is performing above expectations.
