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Last week, the 2023-24 NHL season kicked off with a tripleheader on ESPN. One week later, whos looking the most promising?
Eastern Confrence:
Metropolitan Division:
Hurricanes: With the #1 spot on the Metropolitan, the ‘canes have a big expectation to perform as they did last year. So far, they haven’t looked as they did last year, starting off the season at 3-4-0 with the 5th place in the division currently.
Penguins: After a disappointing end of the season last year, which placed them in 5th and snapped their 16 year playoff streak, the pens haven’t gotten off to a strong start, starting off two places behind the hurricanes at 2-4-0.
Devils: Last year had some success for the Devils, where they finished 52-22-8 at #2 in the metropolitan, now stand in that same spot at this time, with a record of 3-1-1 currently, and they’re looking just as good as they did last year.
Rangers: Led by their incredible goalie, they got the #3 spot in the metropolitan last year, with a record of 47-22-13, currently are looking better than they have last year, as they are currently number one in the metropolitan with a record of 4-2-0.
Islanders: Barely clinching the playoffs over the penguins with a 2 point lead over them, they had a record of 42-31-9 and the #4 spot in the division, this year they aren’t looking too good as of right now, being 6th in the division now with a record of 2-2-1.
Capitals: With it’s proximity to Williamsburg, this is the most popular team in the city, last year though, they did not perform to their standards with a record of 35-37-10. Now currently sit at last in the metropolitan, with a record of 1-3-1.
Flyers: 2022 was a good year for Philadelphia sports, with the Phillies making the world series, the eagles making the super bowl, and the 76ers making it to the Semifinals. The Flyers on the other hand, didn’t have a good year, as they placed second to last in the division with a record of 31-38-13. This year though, the Flyers are off to a hot start with a record of 3-2-1, placing them at 3rd in the division.
Blue Jackets: With an absolutely atrocious year, the Jackets finished last in the division with a record of 25-48-9. This year, they have started off much better, currently placed at 4th in the metropolitan, with a record of 3-2-1.
Atlantic Division:
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Bruins: Wow. All i can say is wow. Last year was quite literally, a historic year for the Bruins, breaking the record for most points in a season with 135 points and a record of 65-12-5. This year they have started off, quite literally, perfect, with a record of 6-0-0
Maple Leafs: The Leafs had a great year last year, but it ended as all of their years do which is choking in the playoffs. Last year they had the #2 spot in the division with a record of 50-21-11. This year, they have a decent start at 3rd in the division, with a record of 4-2-0
Lightning: The lightning have been one of, if not the best, team in the 2020’s so far. Last year did not live up to the hype the first two years of the decade though, as they finished 3rd in the atlantic. Currently, they are in 4th with a record of 3-2-2.
Panthers: The Panthers, like their other Florida counterpart, made the playoffs, with a record of 42-32-8. This year, they’ve gotten off to a decent start, winning 3 of their first games, for a record of 3-3-0, which lands them a spot at 6th in the division currently.
Sabres: The Sabres, who just barely missed the playoffs by only one point, had a record of 42-33-7, which landed them at 5th in the division. Today, the Sabres sit at last in the division, with a record of 3-4-0, the Sabres are obviously looking to place better than that this year and hope to do better than they did last year, and make the playoffs.
Senators: The Senators finished the season last year with 86 points, with a record of 39-35-8, placing them at 6th in the division. Currently they’re in 7th place in the Atlantic, with a record of 3-4-0. The senators made the playoffs for the last time in 2017, and now are looking to go further.
Red WIngs: The Detroit Red WIngs haven’t been relevant in a while, and they showed that last year placing 7th with a record of 35-37-10. This year, they’re looking like they could finally be relevant again, with a record of 5-2-1, placing them at second in the atlantic.
Canadiens: Ah the Montreal Canadiens… won the most stanley cups ever but are terrible currently. Last year, they had a record of 31-45-6, placing them at dead last in the division, and second worse in the whole conference. This year, they’ve started off at 5th in the division with a record of 4-2-1, so things could soon be looking up in Montreal…
