NHL Midseason Shockers: Surprising Teams Dominate Conference Standings

With the NHL season on the verge of its halfway level, there are many shocking tales to relish. A justifiable share of shockingly disappointing tales additionally—particularly for the New York state squads—however allow us to put these to the aspect for now. 

Perhaps essentially the most shocking squads are these atop the convention standings.

If anyone predicted on the eve of the season that after Jan. 4 the highest 4 golf equipment within the Western Convention could be the Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild and Los Angeles Kings, they’d have been given extra than simply sideways glances.

That might have gone double if anyone stated the Jap Convention would have a one-two punch of the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs.

However the success of these squads so far is well-earned.

The Golden Knights have been a top-notch membership because the starting of their existence, however with how they pale final season and had been bumped from the playoffs with barely a whimper, this didn’t seem within the playing cards however is occurring due to a dominating season by Jack Eichel and a wholesome Mark Stone.

Winnipeg has confirmed to be extra than simply goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, with Gabriel Vilardi’s breakout season including to a group that has Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele main the assault.

Of the Western golf equipment, the most important shock often is the Wild, who’ve overcome a continuing wave of accidents, which has even hit their prime participant and a professional Hart Trophy candidate, Kirill Kaprizov.

The Kings have been a playoff group for the previous few years and bounced by the Edmonton Oilers within the first spherical of the Stanley Cup playoff in three consecutive seasons however are rolling with a goaltending tandem of Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich due to a balanced lineup.

Talking of groups which have been to the playoffs with nice regularity however take pleasure in far too little success, the Maple Leafs are using excessive regardless of their very own shocking goaltending from Joseph Woll and the oft-injured Anthony Stolarz. Weird is the report with the 10-5-0 report they managed in the course of the two stints with out Auston Matthews. Perhaps their followers who’re clamoring to see Mitch Marner traded away ought to rethink that principle.

Which brings us to the final group amongst this group of what some would say are overachievers: the Capitals. Most figured this season could be all about Alex Ovechkin’s chase for Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring report and little else, with the possible situation that Ovechkin would internet thirty-something objectives and be able to interrupt the mark subsequent season.

Apparently stories of Ovechkin’s demise had been exaggerated. Regardless of lacking greater than a month as a consequence of a damaged leg, Ovechkin has already scored 19 objectives in 23 video games. He has netted 9 objectives in his final seven video games and 4 in 5 outings since getting back from damage, leaving him 23 shy of breaking Gretzky’s mark of 894.

Ovechkin’s prowess is a front-burner story, however is overshadowing how spectacular the Capitals have been as a complete. They boast the league’s second most prolific assault with a balanced lineup, and that’s not the most important key.

Defensively, the Capitals are sixth within the league and their penalty kill is fourth. Frankly, goaltender Logan Thompson was undeservedly snubbed whereas being left off Canada’s group for the 4 Nations Face-Off, however Washington’s potential to maintain the puck out of the online can also be a byproduct of a group dedication to defending. 

For his potential to maintain Ovechkin’s offensive push a key a part of the sport plan whereas sustaining robust defensive play, coach Spencer Carbery deserves way more credit score than he’s receiving.