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Boston Bruins: Biggest early surprises and disappointments in the NHL

By Chad Zimmermann

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 11: Zdeno Chara
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 11: Zdeno Chara /
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The Boston Bruins find themselves currently 1-2-0, with the two losses coming to a weak Colorado Avalanche team.  The current road trip features games against the Arizona Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights.  Early on this season, what is surprising and disappointing in the league.

If you were to ask any Boston Bruins fan what the team’s record would be through the first three weeks of the season, realistically, many of the answers would be either 7-0 or 6-1.  The team’s first game of the season featured the defending Western Conference champion Nashville Predators.  However, the next 6 games all included teams that missed the playoffs last season (Avalanche x2, Coyotes, Golden Knights, Canucks, Sabres).

However, the Bruins to date have not played like a team that intends to make noise this season.  The lone victory this season, against a good Nashville team, almost went by the wayside at the end of the game.  The team looked completely out of sorts against the Avs in back-to-back games, and were outscored 10-3.  To be completely honest, this team could easily be 0-3-0 based upon the level of play so far.

To me, the current state of affairs for the Bruins is a bit of a surprise.  Sure, there are some current issues that no one could predict going into the season, like the absence of team leaders Patrice Bergeron and David Backes.  But, even taking into consideration their absences, the Bruins don’t look like a team that wants to win games.  Or, more accurately, they don’t look like a team who knows how to win games.  That only comes with time and development of the younger players.  But the veterans need to step up their play to compensate…that’s not happening.

So, we know that the Bruins have been a disappointment.  What are the biggest surprises and disappointments in the NHL currently?

Surprises

LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 10: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate their victory over the Arizona Coyotes, 5-2, after the Golden Knights’ inaugural regular-season home opener at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 10: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate their victory over the Arizona Coyotes, 5-2, after the Golden Knights’ inaugural regular-season home opener at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Vegas Golden Knights are clearly the biggest surprise so far in the NHL season.  No expansion team in NHL history had won their first three games as an organization…until the Golden Knights.  If you look at the team’s composition, they have a three-time Stanley Cup champion goaltender in Marc-Andre Fleury, and two decent forward lines featuring the likes of James Neal, David Perron, and Jonathan Marchessault.

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Is this a team that is going to make the playoffs?  Probably not.  But is it a team that can make some noise, play spoiler, and win some games this year?  Absolutely.  As I predicted in my season preview, I even think they’ll finish ahead of the Vancouver Canucks in the division.

The New Jersey Devils also are a team that is turning some heads.  Cory Schnieder has decided that it is time to play like the elite goaltender that he was always pegged to be.  The Devils are getting scoring from up-and-down the lineup, and young players are stepping up to be game changers.  Will Butcher and Jesper Bratt, both rookies, are currently leading the team in scoring.

The Devils play in an extremely tough division, and their three wins have come against the Avs, the Sabres, and the Maple Leafs.  Not exactly top flight competition (excluding the Maple Leafs).  The team has to play the Capitals, Rangers, Lightning, and Sharks over the next week.  Check in and see where they stand at that point.

Disappointment (other than the Bruins)

NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 12: Dallas Stars goalie Ben Bishop (30) is shown following a second period goal by Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) during the NHL game between the Dallas Stars and the Nashville Predators, held on October 12, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 12: Dallas Stars goalie Ben Bishop (30) is shown following a second period goal by Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) during the NHL game between the Dallas Stars and the Nashville Predators, held on October 12, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Dallas Stars have been one of the best offensive teams in the last few years.  Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin are an incredible duo; throw in the talented Alexander Radulov, this team should score 4 goals per game.  But it’s always been the goaltending that seemed to hold the Stars back from being an elite team.

In the offseason, they brought in Ben Bishop to shore up the goaltending situation, and added Marc Methot to the blueline.  However, the Stars for some reason just don’t seem to be clicking just yet.  The team finds themselves at 1-3-0, and in 4 games, they’ve only scored 8 goals.  Not exactly production needed to compete.  The lone victory came against the Detroit Red Wings, who many have said will be at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings at the end of the season.

Next: Early Morning Ice 10/12/17

I get it, it’s still early in the season.  These teams that I’ve listed as disappoints could easily turn things around for the positive, and hopefullt the Bruins will do just that.  The teams that are surprises could take a nose-dive and end up at the bottom of the standings.  3-5 games into the season, however, can tell you a lot about a team and their desire to win games and make a statement.

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