By Jordan Long
The NHL is at the All-Star Break, the unofficial halfway point of the season. The reason it’s called that is most teams have played over 41 games which would be the halfway mark of the year. With that, it’s time for my most surprising and disappointing teams in the NHL so far.
The most surprising team is the Anaheim Ducks. Anaheim was one of the worst teams in the NHL last season. They finished with a record of 17-30-9 for a total of 43 points, only the Buffalo Sabers were worse with 37 points.
This year, they look like a playoff team. They sit in 3rd place in the Pacific Division with a record of 23-16-9 for a total of 55 points. They are not the best scoring team, averaging 2.88 goals per game, 18th in the NHL. On the power play they are playing well, setting it up and have scoring chances. When teams try to move the puck out of the zone, Anaheim keeps the puck in the offensive zone. They are screening the goaltender which makes it difficult for them to see it. Anaheim has scored on 25% of their opportunities, 10th in the NHL.
Defensively Anaheim is in the middle of the pack when it comes to goals against giving up 2.77 goals per game, 14th in the NHL. When it comes to the power play kill they are playing well. Skaters take away the puck from the rival teams to kill time off it. Anaheim is also blocking shots and not allowing teams to set it up. They kill off 83.5% of the penalties they take, 7th in the NHL.
The Ducks are a team to look out for in the 2nd half of the season. The way they are playing will be enough to earn them a playoff spot for the first time since 2018. Even if they don’t win a series at least they made it.
The most disappointing team in the NHL this year is the Montreal Canadians. Last year, Montreal advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993. Unfortunately, they dropped that series against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 5 games.
This season nothing is seeming to go right for this team. They are 8-29-7 for a league worse 23 points. At this rate, they will have the best chance of landing the #1 pick in the NHL Draft Lottery. On offense, Montreal is 31st in goals scored, averaging 2.23 goals per game, only Arizona is worse at 2.18 goals per game. Montreal can’t seem to keep the pressure on in the offensive zone. Opponents are taking the puck away to end scoring chances. On the power play, it’s the same story. They can’t set it up. The power play is successful at 14%, second to last in the league. Again, Arizona is the worst when it comes to the power play.
On defense, Montreal allows teams to dictate the play. They spend time in the defensive zone and have a difficult time moving the puck out. They give up scoring chances which usually end in goals. Montreal is dead last in goals against, giving up 3.91 goals per game. On the power play kill they kill off 73.3% of the penalties they take, 30th in the NHL.
Montreal is most likely going to struggle the rest of the way. They aren’t a great team and the stats are showing it. They may even receive the #1 pick in the NHL Draft Lottery which will help them rebuild.
The NHL All-Star Game is on Saturday. Once that is completed, the NHL resumes the regular season on Monday, February 7th. Teams will be vying for playoff position while others are just trying to have better odds to win the NHL Draft Lottery.
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