More than halfway through the season, and already so close to the playoffs. With every game, the future becomes clearer, the past more understandable, the present evermore pivotal. Every goal, every penalty, every controversial call, bringing us closer and closer to that first game in the race for the legendary cup. With just about a third of the season left, it’s time to break down where everything is headed in the latest edition of Rink Report.
Top Three Teams
Currently leading the league in overall points are, surprisingly, the Winnipeg Jets with 79. This season has certainly been something of a breakout for the team, whose last seven years or so have been characterized by a steady middle-of-the-pack energy. They consistently seemed to have a decent roster, to make it to the playoffs, and then lose in the first round.
This year, however, things finally turned around. Showcasing, among others, an explosive Kyle Connor and Mark Sheifele on the front end and reliable Josh Morrisey and Neal Pionk on defense, all alongside the current hands-down undisputed best goalie in the league Connor Hellebuyck, the squad has arguably the best all-around roster at the moment. Who knows what unprecedented new heights, or should I say cup bands, can such a combination of talent potentially reach…
However, Winnipeg’s competition is about as fierce as it gets this year. Just two total points behind them are the Capitals, themselves locked and loaded with #2-in-goal Logan Thompson, a solid rest of the team, and of course, the freshly-healed and ever so fierce captain Alex Ovechkin leading the charge.
And who can forget the Edmonton Oilers. Back from an incredibly close postseason run last year, an august preceding months of this season, and naturally hungry for more, the Oilers were actually my personal favorite for a Stanley Cup win this year back at the start of the season. Their goaltending is fine, the back end is fair, but as for the offense… surely nothing is more terrifying than facing an electrified Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, each playing to make perhaps his final potentially conquerable championship.
Hometown Heroes
Just kidding. And don’t even try to check what place the Blackhawks are in in the league standings. Trust me, it’ll ruin your day permanently. Instead, here’s a link to when we won the 2013 cup with two goals in 17 seconds. Enjoy the nostalgia while it lasts.
Looking Ahead
Well, soon, we’ll receive word of the names of those squads that succeeded in advancing to the playoffs. I personally anticipate a close playoff season; the aforementioned top three really all seem as poised as ever to fight for the championship.
Needless to say, there could be a surprise. Were Ovechkin to get injured again, say, that could certainly throw the Capitals’ cup chances into jeopardy. Were the Colorado Avalanche to break out through the Wild Card, which actually is not all that unlikely, in my opinion, that could certainly a Western Conference’s top team’s future into limbo. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to see Cale Makar show the league what an all-star all-around defenseman can do when given the opportunity?
It will definitely be a treacherous road ahead until mid-April for the NHL, but as they say: no risk, no reward. Anything is still possible. Everything is still possible. So players, let’s make the possible a reality. Let’s focus. Let’s make it to the playoffs. And then, let’s triumph.
