Detroit Red Wings: Grading The Atlantic Division

Oct 13, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Teemu Pulkkinen (56) takes a shot in the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

We’re a week into the new season so it’s time to evaluate how the teams in the Atlantic division have started. We use the standard grading system, A to F. If your team got an ‘F’, it’s probably time to start panicking.

Team – Detroit Red Wings

Total Points – 6

Grade – A

After defeating the Maple Leafs and Hurricanes, Tuesdays victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning has seen the team and their lone loss to Carolina, go 3-1-0. I’ve graded the Red Wings an ‘A’ because of how dominant the team has been playing. Coach Blashill’s ethos is definitely working. Carolina almost provided an upset, taking advantage of some sloppy defending when the Red Wings visited the PNC Arena, but were beaten back by a never-say-die attitude. Goalie Jimmy Howard has impressed early on and made a strong bid for the starting role. While they got their revenge Friday night, the Red Wings are still a top team in the Atlantic.

The Red Wings play an original six rival tonight when they take on the Montreal Canadiens.

Next: Detroit Red Wings

Oct 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) looks on against the Dallas Stars during the third period at Amalie Arena. Dallas Stars defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Team – Tampa Bay Lightning

Total Points – 6

Grade – B

The Lightning have scored 14 goals in four games, which is impressive although it could be argued that the team had an easier start than others. Facing off against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins, the Bolts won their opening three games comfortably. The Red Wings, ended that streak last night. Tampa Bay’s defence has to be asking itself some questions – nine goals conceded in four games isn’t good. If the team could tidy things up in front of Ben Bishop’s net, then they’d be looking at an A grade.

The Lightning host the Dallas Stars tomorrow.

Next: Florida Panthers

Team – Florida Panthers

Total Points – 6

Grade – C

It’s been a good week for the Florida Panthers, who scored a combined 11 goals in comprehensive wins over the Flyers and the Hurricanes. The team is currently 3-1-0, their only loss being 1-0 in Philly. Vincent Trochek leads the team with four points (three assists and a goal), while Old-Man-Hockey Jaromir Jagr has scored twice. Jagr has also decided to bring back his famous (or should that be infamous?) mullet.

The Panthers take on the Dallas Stars tonight.

Next: Ottawa Senators

Oct 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki (74) and Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bobby Farnham (24) fight during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Team – Ottawa Senators

Total Points – 6

Grade – C

The Senators have been graded a ‘C’ as although they won their two opening games, those games were against Buffalo and Toronto and the Maples Leafs took the game to a shootout. Mike Hoffman scored the winner in the game. Ottawa fell to the undefeated Montreal Canadiens on Sunday. Tomas Plekanec scored twice in that game in a game that the Sens struggled to control. As long as Ottawa’s best skater is their offensive-minded d-man Erik Karlsson, their grade doesn’t look like improving anytime soon.

Ottawa invite in the Nashville Predators tonight.

Next: Buffalo Sabres

Oct 12, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (15) during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Team – Buffalo Sabres

Total Points – 2

Grade – D

Expectations are always low for the Sabres, so being 1-3-0 after three games isn’t too bad. It’s definitely not worst in the division. 2015 draft pick Jack Eichel has scored two goals in three games, once in the Sabres’ opening loss against Ottawa and then again on Monday in the 4-2 win over Columbus. While Eichel looks promising, the rest of the team haven’t clicked. I’ve graded the team a ‘D’ as their only win is over Columbus, a 0-4-0 team who decided that David Clarkson was a good investment. Hardly a challenge.

The Sabres travel to the Florida to play the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight.

Next: Toronto Maple Leafs

Oct 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Leo Komarov (47) takes a shot against Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) in the third period at Air Canada Centre. Senators beat Leafs 5 – 4. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Team – Toronto Maple Leafs

Total Points – 3

Grade – F

Despite scoring a loser-point by taking the Ottawa Senators to a shootout, the Maple Leafs just plain suck this season. Mike Babcock has some serious rebuilding work to do if he wants these guys to be an actual contender for anything shiny. First the Canadiens beat them in the season opener, then Detroit. A point against Ottawa is something I suppose, but it’s still embarrassing for a team with the history that Toronto has. Neither Reimer or Bernier look particularly confident in net and the shooters are currently at Storm Trooper levels of target hitting.

The Maple Leafs take on the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight, that should be a good one with Kessel being able to seek some revenge on the team that did appreciate him enough.

Next: Boston Bruins

Oct 14, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Boston Bruins left wing David Pastrnak (88) dives on the ice for the puck during the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. The Bruins won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Team – Boston Bruins

Total Points – 2

Grade – F

Ah Boston. Three games in, 16 goals conceded. Times are tough at the TD Garden, first Winnipeg, then the Habs and finally the Lightning. Man-Giant Zdeno Chara missed the first two games, but his return against Tampa Bay made no real impression. Currently the whipping boys of the Atlantic Division, only averaging 2.3 goals per game scored (and 5.3 conceded) will not prove to be a recipe for success in this fast, goal-scoring league.

The Bruins play in Arizona tonight.

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