TAMPA, Fla – As the first month of the season comes to a close, four playoff teams from last spring find themselves on the outside looking in. With Halloween here, it is time for a look at which of the teams who missed the party in 2009-10 are only disguised as contenders.
A look inside the early stats can provide some clues. Last year seven of the playoff teams from the east were in the top 16 in penalty kills and five were among the shots against average per game leaders. Here is a look at how the early front runners stack up against those numbers. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING; second in the East with (13) points finished 12th in 2009-10. There are some very promising signs for the Lightning, special teams play, the Bolts have the fourth best power play in the NHL and ninth best penalty killing unit. They lead the league with 3.56 avg. goals for per game, and Steven Stamkos is off to a blistering start with 18 points in 9 games. Vinny Lecavalier and Ryan Malone have only 5 points each and Simon Gagne has no points and is a -8. Assuming these three will turn things around and Steven Stamkos shows every sign of picking up from where he left off in 2009-10 the long term prospects look good for the Bolts CONTENDER TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS; fifth in the conference (11) points, finished last in the East in 09-10. The Leafs have tightened up on the defensive end with the 4th best shots against average in the NHL this season. But their 2.56 goals for per game average is only 25th in the NHL and the penalty kill ranks 21st. Defense and special teams wins come playoff time but many times it today’s NHL it is offense that gets you to the party. Phil Kessel and Clarke MacArthur are the only Leafs in among the top 50 scorers in the NHL. If the Leafs can continue to hold the shots against down that will help but without more punch the Leafs look like a PRETENDER NEW YORK ISLANDERS; sitting at #7 in the East, last year they were 13th. The Islanders have the league’s third best power play and ninth best penalty kill. They are 14th in SAA and a surprising sixth overall in goals for per game. The Islanders season appeared over before it started with devasting injuries to Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo. But John Tavares has six goals in seven games and Rick Dipietro seems healthy again. Dwayne Roloson has a better save percentage than Ryan Miller and Martin Brodeur? This could be the best disguised team in all of sports! The current numbers say contender, but the chances of all of these trends continuing say PRETENDER CAROLINA HURRICANES; e ighth in the conference, 11th 2009-10. The Canes have the 25th ranked penalty kill and rank only 27th in shots against. The Canes are winning the close games with all but one win by only a goal. Carolina started even slower in 2009 and almost closed at the end. Cam Ward looks sharp and the Canes will score call them CONTENDER Next up? If Carolina and Tampa are in who does that leave out? A look at the four playoff teams off to slow starts and who is likely to turn it around. Contact joe.malta@prohockeynews.com
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