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Reflections on a month of hockey

We’re one month into the NHL season and things are not as most fans would expect: The Flyers are leading their division, the Rangers have scored the fewest goals in the league, and the best goalie in the league is Pascal Leclaire from Columbus! Now you’re probably asking yourself, who is Pascal Leclaire? In his first three seasons in the NHL, Leclaire had one shutout in 56 starts. This season he has FOUR shutouts in just seven starts; that means he’s averaging one shutout just about every two starts and he’s got the Blue Jackets winning quite a bit.

In their first 11 games, the Rangers are last in the NHL in goals scored after buying the offensive talents of Chris Drury (Buffalo) and Scott Gomez (New Jersey). So far the Rangers have just not found a line that works and Gomez has just three points in those 11 games. Don’t worry, Rangers fans; it’s a long season.

Philadelphia fans, on the other hand, should be very excited after their team’s 7-3 start: a complete turnaround from last year when the Flyers had the league’s worst record. The Flyers have been cruising past teams night after night behind former Sabres Daniel Briere (13 points) and Martin Biron (7-2, 2 SO, and a .948 save percentage).

The league’s best team last season, Buffalo, has fallen from its pedestal, but the Sabres are not far from the top and are beginning to regain their form. After a shaky 0-2 start the Sabres are now 5-5 and their offense is starting to look like they did last year (the Sabres posted 53 shots against the Capitals on Oct. 13).

Speaking of falling from grace, the defending champs, the Anaheim Ducks, are 4-7-2? Quite the unexpected start. Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere is off to a 1-3 start, and with Conn Smythe winner Scott Niedermayer not coming back anytime soon, the Ducks may be in for a long season.

Now for the teams that are where they should be. The Ottawa Senators are off to a great start, looking to avenge last year’s Stanley Cup Final loss. The Senators are 9-1 behind goalie Martin Gerber. Gerber, who lost his starting position last season to Ray Emery, is now back to his starting form posting a .940 save percentage and a 7-1 record. Of course the Sens’ offense is being led by the trio of Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza, who have combined for 39 points in 10 games.

The Detroit Red Wings (10-2-1) are currently the best team in the NHL ‘ big surprise. Henrik Zetterberg leads the NHL in points with 22 and has at least one point in each of the Wings’ first 13 games. Chris Osgood has filled in for starting goalie Dominik Hasek with little trouble; thus far Osgood has posted a .932 save percentage, a 1.5 goals against average and a 6-0 record.

With plenty of season left, things are certainly going to get more interesting. Stay tuned for more NHL updates coming soon.

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