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; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Dale Weise (22) reacts with teammates after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Team – Montreal Canadiens
Total Points – 10
Grade – A
It’s no surprise that the Habs have been graded an A. The team is 5-0-0 for the season so far. Wins over the Maple Leafs, the Bruins, the Senators and the Penguins have given Montreal a solid start. The only blot on the team’s otherwise spotless record is that they haven’t recorded a shutout yet. Something that Michal Therrien and his goaltending coaches are no doubt working on.
The Canadiens host the Detroit Red Wings tonight.
Next: Tampa Bay Lightning
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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