NHL Eastern Conference's Top 5 Players So Far This Season
NHL Eastern Conference: Boston Bruins center Ryan Spooner (not pictured) scores a goal past Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
After two weeks of the hockey season, the standings – and points tallies – are starting to take shape. While there have been some surprises it’s important not to overreact just eight games in. Of course, overreact is exactly what I’m going to do.
The second part of this two-part series leads us to the top 5 players in the Eastern Conference so far. Montreal and Detroit have stormed out of the blocks – to the surprise of most. The Canadiens currently sit as the only team in the league not to lose in regulation.
At the bottom of the Conference, just two points separate last place from the first Wild-Card spot. The streaky Bruins started 3/1/0 and have since lost their last three games – they’ve been incredibly unfortunate with injuries. Luckily, they bounced back on Saturday with a healthy starter notching a shutout. The Capitals started 3/0/1 before losing their next two – including a loss to the rampaging Edmonton Oilers. Washington too bounced back on Saturday with a win over Vancouver.
The Canadiens have had sensational goaltending, while the Maple Leafs are being led by their star rookie.
Let’s dive right into our top 5 players.
Oct 24, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber (6) warms up before the first period against Philadelphia Flyers at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Shea Weber, Montreal Canadiens – 10 points in 9 games
Weber gets bonus points for his start to the season. His summer was shrouded in dismay as the Canadiens shipped out P.K. Subban in favor of the big-bodied blue liner. The trade was immediately met with disappointment, and will most likely prove to be a bad trade in the future. But for now, Weber is showing his resilience with a tremendous start to the season.
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His 10 points leave him joint third (with 10 others) in the points race, and he’s averaging 25:53 minutes per game, the third-most in the Conference. Weber has three multi-point games already this season with four of his 10 points coming on the power play.
Weber can do it all, whether it’s even strength or on the special teams. He’s added a ruggedness to the Canadiens defense, while maintaining a sharpshooter from the blue line. His leadership qualities have obviously been emphasized, arguably the main reason Montreal traded for him.
They’ve started the season off to a flier, as they did last year. Weber’s experience may help them sustain this level of play for longer.
Oct 20, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers center Jonathan Marchessault (81) skates with the puck before a game against the Washington Capitals at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Marchessault, Florida Panthers – 10 points in 8 games
When Jonathan Huberdeau went down with a nasty injury there were worries as to who would step up in his absence. The Panthers need not have worried as Marchessault has picked up the offensive slack. With 10 points in 8 games, he sits tied for third in league scoring.
Averaging 18:03 minutes per game, Marchessault has played on a line with Barkov and Jagr. Winning 53.3 percent of face-offs taken, he’s a reliable option should Barkov be kicked out of the face-off circle.
In just his fourth season in the league, Marchessault looks to be one of the players set for a breakout season. Having not played more than 45 games in a season, he’s an unknown quantity. The Panthers could’ve found themselves a gem. He provides a good balance to the top line – Barkov is an all-around phenomenal player, while Jagr has the experience and obvious qualities.
Five goals from 25 shots is not a sustainable rate, but it’s a promising start to the season for the 25-year-old. If he can score more than 20 goals he will be a key player for the Panthers and could shunt them towards the top of the NHL Eastern Conference.
Oct 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) is congratulated at the bench after scoring a goal during the third period of the Boston Bruins 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins – 10 points in 8 games
Marchand had a career year last season – scoring 37 goals. He then caused havoc during the World Cup of Hockey and was rewarded with a new contract. It’s safe to say the pressure was on him this year.
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9 of his points came in the first four games – but since the Bruins lost Tuukka Rask to injury none of their players have played well. Marchand, along with linemate Bergeron, is one of the players capable of pulling his team out of a funk. While he is more known for his scoring prowess, it’s been his playmaking ability that’s shined so far this season.
The little ball of hate should be expected to have another 30 goal season. He is already an elite player; he scores, kills penalties, agitates and can play on the power play (although he’s been hideously underutilized on the man advantage). Having David Pastrnak as a constant right-winger – something Marchand and Bergeron have lacked in their years together – will provide him with a sniper on the opposite wing.
If Marchand can keep up a solid run of goal-scoring form – he could be a dark horse for the Rocket Richard Trophy.
Oct 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) warms up before playing against the Florida Panthers at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs – 10 points in 8 games
Scoring four goals in his first game sure did help rookie Auston Matthews settle into the NHL. You could immediately see he was one of those players that can elevate the game of those around him – something that doesn’t always happen, despite the hype.
8 of Matthews’ 10 points have come in just three games. Streakiness can be expected in young players. Winning 52.5 percent of his face-offs has been an impressive facet of his game. Experienced NHLers will cheat and use their know-how to win the draws – this doesn’t seem to have affected Matthews.
Toronto was the worst team in the league last year. They already look much better, after only 7 games. This isn’t to say the Maple Leafs are automatically a great team, even less so to pin that on Matthews. There is a young, excitable team brewing in Toronto, and that’s something they can certainly center around Matthews.
He’s an exciting player, and the future looks bright. Matthews’ is a player you hope becomes elite, for the sake of hockey, he could be a terrific asset/role model for the sport.
Oct 20, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) reacts with teammates including goalie Al Montoya (35) after defeating the Arizona Coyotes at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Al Montoya/Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens – 7 wins
OK, OK so I’ve cheated….. Slightly.
It’s impossible to name one without mentioning the other. When Price missed the first three games with the flu, Canadiens fans started panicking. Last season they had an outstanding start, until Price got injured – then the season went off the rails.
While their undisputed started was out nursing his illness Montoya stepped in. From the four games he’s played this season he leads the league with a save percentage of .955 and a goals against average of 1.47. In second place, for both categories, is Price – in his four games played his save percentage is .947 and his GAA sits at 1.51*. Montoya’s only issue at the moment has been on the penalty kill, where he has allowed two of the four goals conceded.
(Stats don’t yet include Saturday night’s 2-1 win where Price stopped 37 of 38 shots)
Combined the two Montreal netminders have faced 246 shots – only Marc-Andre Fleury has faced more. The Canadiens defense isn’t good, but with two confident, capable goaltenders behind them they can focus on their pace and flexibility up front.
* All stats amongst goalies that have played three games or more.
Should Matthews be ranked so high as a rookie? Could any other player break in to the top five? Let us know in the comments below.
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