We are in December, but we are also approaching mid-season in the National League.
There are clubs that disappoint, others that impress… But at the time of writing these lines, it is almost impossible to predict the identity of the team that will win the Stanley Cup in six months.
Despite everything, I decided to play the game and talk about five clubs which, in my eyes, have a chance of making it to the end. Here we go!
Edmonton Oilers
It started off badly for the Edmonton Oilers.
The team had difficulty getting going after losing the last final to the Florida Panthers and it took time to see the Oilers return to their good habits.
But now, over the past month, everything has returned to normal in Edmonton.
The two-headed monster has awakened, the defense is playing tighter and Stuart Skinner – even if he is not always perfect – is doing the job in front of his net.
On paper, the Oilers have what it takes to make it all the way.
I would perhaps like to see Stan Bowman (GM) go and get reinforcements on the right of the defense, but otherwise… The Oilers really have a nice club.
And that's without counting Evander Kane, who is currently injured:
There is a chance of seeing Kane return at the beginning of March, but it could also happen in April.
The forward should, however, be able to participate in the playoffs and if that happens, the Oilers will be one to watch in my eyes.
New Jersey Devils
In the 2022-2023 season, the Devils have been really good.
They finished the campaign with a record of 52 wins, 22 losses and eight other losses in overtime… Which allowed them to have 2nd place in the Metropolitan division.
Despite everything, they lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
The Devils had a difficult season in 23-24, but there are two reasons: the club was hurt like no other and the goaltenders didn't do the job.
They tried to salvage their season by trading for Jake Allen, but it was already too little too late.
But here, everything runs like clockwork in New Jersey.
The Devils are well established at the top of the general standings of the National League, they score a lot of goals without giving away too many, the club's special teams are working wonderfully… And in front of the net, Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom are really solid.
The club relies on young players and when you look at it, there aren't a lot of players who have playoff experience… But in terms of talent, the Devils have what it takes to do damage.
Especially when Jack Hughes is in good shape.
Winnipeg Jets
Few could have predicted that the Jets were going to be this good this season.
It sure helps when Connor Hellebuyck plays like the best goalie in the world… But hey.
The Jets are all fired up: they are the team that has scored the most since the start of the campaign and there are no passengers in the group.
The club's big guns are productive and everyone participates in the Jets' success:
The problem with the Jets… is that in the playoffs, the team often collapses.
And that’s partly because of Connor Hellebuyck. He has difficulty staying calm, he often gives up bad goals and it always hurts the club.
But if Hellebuyck is able to keep up the current pace, the Jets will have a chance. Because since the start of the season, the goalkeeper has been more than smoking:
- 21-5-1 record (four shutouts)
- Efficiency rate of .927
- Goals against average of 2.07
Difficult to do better.
The Colorado Avalanche
This choice is perhaps a little surprising in the eyes of some because things haven't been going very well for the Avalanche since the start of the season.
The club is 20-15-0 after playing 35 games and there are problems on defense because the team is giving up way too many goals.
But if I don't exclude the Avalanche from the group, it's because I have my reasons. And my reasons are: Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen.
Hockey is a team sport, but the three star players at Colorado are capable of carrying the club on their shoulders.
MacKinnon and Rantanen are having an exceptional season, as they each crossed the 50-point plateau (in 35 games) and Makar continues to be just as excellent.
There, it remains to be seen if Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood can solidify things in front of the net.
The Avalanche have traded all three goalies (Alexandar Georgiev, Kaapo Kahkonen and Justus Annunen) since the start of the season because they were atrocious, and things have been much better since the « Wood-Duo » is in place.
The Avalanche has too much talent to leave the team out of the portrait.
And if Valeri Nichushkin can stay calm, that will help too.
The Toronto Maple Leafs
I know, I know…
In Montreal, there is no one who is supposed to vote for the Toronto Leafs in this type of exercise.
But at the same time, the Leafs are so good this year!
Led by the brilliance of Mitch Marner, who is having quite a season, the Leafs are installed at the top of the Atlantic Division (record of 21-11-2) and overall, the team seems to be really solid.
It is especially the acquisition of Chris Tanev in defense that changes everything.
The Leafs are super good in their zone, they don't allow a lot of goals to the opponent and they finally have a general on the blue line who can guide the other defenders.
We may hate the Leafs… But we also have to admit it: on paper, the club really has an interesting alignment.
Add to that the fact that both goalkeepers have been excellent since the start of the season.
Anthony Stolarz is injured at the moment, but Joseph Woll is there for him backer and that makes a difference.
We know that it's always more difficult for the Leafs in the playoffs. But this year, maybe it's the right one…
Prolongation
You'll notice that there are three Canadian teams among my five choices.
It's time for the Stanley Cup to return to Canada: the last time was in 1993… When the Canadian beat Wayne Gretzky and the Kings to lift the 24th Stanley Cup in its history.
It's been too long.
