Highs and Lows: Dissecting the Most Surprising Teams of the 2024-25 NHL Season
The 2024-25 NHL regular season is just over two months old, and there have been plenty of twists and turns that many NHL fans and experts didn’t see coming. That said, some teams have performed above expectations thus far, while others have failed to live up to the high expectations set in the preseason. While it’s not too late for high-performing teams to drop off or for underperforming teams to turn their season around, a few teams have already caught the league by storm. Here are the four most surprising teams as we reach the middle of December.
1. Washington Capitals
Following a strong second half of last season, during which the Washington Capitals claimed the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference before being swept by the New York Rangers in the first round, the Capitals entered this season with uncertain expectations due to numerous roster changes and aging players. Most notably, the Capitals, who added seven new players to their roster this offseason, faced uncertainty regarding how quickly the team would gel and adjust to the major roster changes. However, through the first two months of the season, the Capitals have had little trouble finding success, as they currently hold the best record in the Eastern Conference with a 20-6-2 record for 42 points and the second-best record in the entire league, behind the Winnipeg Jets, who have also had a stellar season. The Capitals’ resurgence this season, following a few years of mediocrity, has been even more surprising given the fractured left fibula injury suffered by team captain Alex Ovechkin on November 18th against the Utah Hockey Club. Since then, the Capitals have shown little sign of slowing down, going 7-2-1 and demonstrating improved depth, led by Connor McMichael, Aliaksei Protas, longtime Capitals defenseman Tom Wilson, Dylan Strome, and more. Their resilience has now made the Capitals a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, a surprise to many going into the season.
2. Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators had one of the busiest offseasons, actively signing several star players in free agency, including Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. Given the Predators' willingness to spend big in free agency, Nashville was projected to be one of the favorites to compete for the Stanley Cup. However, things have not gone according to plan, as the Predators are currently in seventh place in the Central Division with an 8-16-6 record and 22 points, highlighted by their recent eight-game losing streak, which they snapped on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The biggest factor plaguing the Predators this season has been their inability to produce consistent offense. As of December 13th, the Predators have a goal differential of -25 and rank last in the NHL in goals scored per game at 2.27 while ranking 14th in goals against at 3.10. Due to the struggles of the Predators' offense, Nashville’s starting goalie, Juuse Saros, has suffered despite holding a respectable 2.72 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage but carries a 6-13-5 win-loss record. If the Predators hope to turn their season around, they will need to quickly address their offensive issues to have a chance at climbing back up the Western Conference standings.
3. Minnesota Wild
Following a disappointing 2023-24 season, in which the Minnesota Wild missed the playoffs with a 39-34-9 record and 87 points, placing them sixth in the Central Division, this season has been a completely different story. The Wild have emerged as one of the elite teams in the league. Currently, they hold the second-best record in the Western Conference at 19-6-4 with 42 points. The biggest turnaround for the Wild from a season ago has been their improved offensive and defensive play. After posting a -12 goal differential last season, the Wild now rank in the top 10 in goal differential at +16. Additionally, they rank 14th in goals scored per game at 3.14 and are tied for the best goals-against average per game at 2.55. The Wild’s offensive success has been led by fifth-year winger Kirill Kaprizov, who has the fourth-most goals in the league with 18 and the third-most points with 43. Along with Minnesota’s offensive emergence, their goaltending duo of veteran Marc-Andre Fleury and starter Filip Gustavsson has excelled, with Gustavsson holding the second-best win-loss record at 14-5-3 and the fourth-best goals-against average at 2.24. With their improved offense and top-tier goaltending, the Wild will remain a dangerous team for the rest of the season.
4. New York Rangers
Following a 2023-24 campaign that saw the New York Rangers finish the regular season with the best record in the league, thus claiming the Presidents’ Trophy, and despite falling short of the Stanley Cup Final after being eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Rangers entered this season with high expectations and goals once again. Unfortunately, the Rangers have not been able to replicate their success so far. If the playoffs started today, they would not be in contention, holding a 15-12-1 record for 31 points, which places them fifth in the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers have been in the news recently for several reasons, most notably their decision to trade former captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks last week after a tumultuous end to his tenure in New York.
Head coach Peter Laviolette remarked on the decision, stating, “I think our team needs a direction. We're not playing well right now. I think when you're not having the success that you want, there has to be a direction that moves differently. This was the decision.” With Trouba struggling offensively in recent seasons, the Rangers hope this move will re-energize the locker room and motivate the team for the rest of the season. They aim to return to their winning ways, largely led by 2022 Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin. The goaltender recently signed an eight-year, $92 million extension, putting to rest any speculation about him leaving in free agency after this season. If the Rangers can get back on track and rediscover their rhythm from last season, they will remain a dangerous team that no one wants to face when firing on all cylinders.
