A little over a week and a half into the 2023-24 NHL season, it’s still tough to gauge for most teams where they will end up in the standings in April. Between teams reaching well beyond expectations, and other teams reaching well short, there have been a handful of surprises out of the gate.
By far and away the team most dramatically outperforming expectations is the Detroit Red Wings. Led by Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin, the Red Wings bring a 5-1-0 record into tonight’s game against the Seattle Kraken, looking to extend their winning streak to six games. Detroit had primarily been projected as a fringe playoff candidate coming out of the Eastern Conference this year, but with DeBrincat and Larkin one and two in league scoring, respectively, and the Red Wings leading the entire NHL in GF/G, their offense could easily carry them to postseason hockey.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Edmonton Oilers have failed to deliver on some lofty expectations coming into this season. After finishing sixth in the league standings last year thanks to a generational season by superstar Connor McDavid, as well as losing to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions in back-to-back postseasons, the Oilers were considered the third likeliest team to win the Cup by Vegas oddsmakers. Nevertheless, the team has gotten off to a 1-3-1 start, in large part due to the subpar play of their defensive core and goaltenders.
In a similar vein to the Oilers, the Carolina Hurricanes had incredibly high expectations heading into this season, carrying some of the best defensive depth in the entirety of the NHL. The Hurricanes still have plenty of time to recover from a 3-3-0 start, but they will need their goaltending to bounce back in a big way. After finishing second in the NHL last season in terms of GA/P, Carolina now sits alone in last place to start the 2023-24 campaign. Combining the trio of Frederik Andersen, Antti Raanta, and Pyotr Kochetkov, the Hurricanes goaltending trio holds a 3-3-0 record, with a .833 SV% and a 4.50 GAA.
So there you have it, even though the season is young, there are still plenty of emerging storylines to follow throughout the season. Now it’s time for the vote, which team do you think is off to the most surprising start?
Oilers and Detroit
Oilers still have goalie issues. The real Evander Kane has arrived In Edmonton. What a wonderful teammate he is. LOL
Flyers #1 in the Metro. Most of the “experts” picked them for dead last.
This doesn’t even merit a mention.
Nope! LOL
@Djapana – Flyers are also an early good story, along with the B’s.
Boston. Everyone said that Ullmark and Swayman would regress, and so far they’ve allowed (drum roll) six goals in seven games. It’s still pretty early, of course, but for right now, the rumors of their demise are greatly exaggerated.
@Nha Trang – You tell ’em, Mr. Clemens! :) Boston really is a good story so far, even though Lucic is banged up a little.
Sadly Boston has feasted upon terrible competition. Even Monty has said they haven’t played great, just well enough to pip bad teams. Let’s see them against Vegas, Colorado, even Pittsburgh.
@fightcitymayor – That will be an acid test for them. If they can hold their own, then they will upset some apple carts, as some in the media aren’t going to be convinced unless they’re at the top of the division by the all-star break. One of Boston’s biggest problems is getting Beers to shut up in the booth and not take all the oxygen out of the room.
Pittsburgh’s scaring no one these days. I’d agree with you about sterner tests if those were all home victories, but going undefeated on a west coast road trip’s quality play no matter whom.
Bruins have beat the Blackhawks x 2, Kings, Sharks, Ducks, and Predators. I dont know how surprised anyone should be about the hot start.
I’m going with Vegas. We know they’re a good team, but to be that focused early on after a Cup win is impressive.
They gon win the Presidents and lose in the 1st rd lol
I’m not sure why the oil skid would surprise anyone besides those wearing orange goggles. Suspect D, even more suspect goalie, and no needle movers outside of McDavid & Leon. And when things aren’t going their way, there’s not much urgency to their game.
I would say the canucks start is as surprising as any