For the first time in several seasons, the race to win the President's Trophy, which is awarded to the team with the best regular season record in the NHL, has been in turmoil.
By this point last season, the Boston Bruins had essentially clinched that honor with their historic hot start, with the Florida Panthers (who eventually won) and Colorado Avalanche doubling for that honor. It wasn't that long into the 2021-22 season that this happened. -Team racing.
And it was Tampa Bay that scored 128 points in 2018-19 (this exercise omits the two seasons shortened due to COVID-19) and clinched a President's Trophy berth by the new year.・It was Lightning. Day.
However, the 2023-24 regular season followed a completely different script.
Sure, there are a few teams that have established themselves as the class of the league through the first half of the season, but no one has broken out from the pack just yet.
As of this writing, the Boston Bruins lead the circuit with 52 points from 36 games, but there are four teams with at least 50 points (New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets), and five more within six points of Boston.
With so many teams still in the race and so much runway left this season, it's possible to make a convincing case for a long-term bid to win the Presidents Trophy. can.
For those looking to get their heart racing, let's take a look at three teams worth taking a punt on.
Panthers (20/1)
In my opinion, the Cats are the class of the Eastern Conference.
They are deep up front, stable on the blueline, and have a reliable goaltending tandem.
Plus, the Panthers look like a team that could get heated in the second half.
Florida State ranks fifth in the NHL in expected goal percentage and third in high-danger scoring percentage, but its actual performance lags behind that.
The Cats have had some bad luck in front of goal, with their best player Matthew Tkachuk yet to hit his stride this season.
If these two things improve, this team should jump up the rankings.
Hurricane (1/25)
The season got off to a slow start for the Hurricanes, but they have recently bounced back with a 7-1-3 record in their last 10 games.
It's no coincidence that Carolina's recent surge came at the perfect time, with goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov finding his game and stabilizing a scoring situation for the Canes who were in desperate need of saves.
If Kochetkov can hold the fort long enough for Frederik Andersen to get healthy, there's good reason to believe Carolina can get enough heat to put together a stellar second half.
Do you want to bet on the NHL?
Edmonton Oilers (66/1)
Let's make noise like crazy.
The Oilers fired head coach Jay Woodcroft in an effort to add spark to a team that went 3-9-1 in the season opener and was one of the favorites to win the award.
They have a lot of work to do – 12 points and 19 teams adrift at the top of the league – but they already have a record of 17-6-0, with six wins on the spin during his former Rangers days. I'm getting better. Minor league coach Kris Knoblausch.
Edmonton's statistical profile has always been elite, and it was just a matter of Connor McDavid getting healthy and the goaltender finding some form.
Both of those things are happening, and it wouldn't be a huge shock if this team continues this pace.
There are reasons for this, but playing with these numbers is very appealing. Especially since we just saw this team go 30-7-7 after New Year's Day in 2022-23.
