We have reached the quarter pole of the NHL season. Time to hand out some 1st Quarter Grades. Starting with the Eastern Conference.The 2 best teams in the NHL are in the Western Conference, Colorado and Dallas. 
The worst teams in the NHL is also out West, Calgary. The Eastern Conference is in a state of parity or mediocrity. Much of the teams are within a couple points of each other. The usual American Thanksgiving playoff predictor may be worthless this season.
These grades are weighted less on standings and statistics and more on the eye test. They are also based on pre-season expectations either high or low.
ATLANTIC-
Boston B+, Boston has overcome blueline leader Charlie McAvoy’s injury with solid team defense. Superstar David Pastrnak and nuclear hot Morgan Geekie are leading the way offensively. Jeremy Swayman is having a bounce back season in net.
Montreal B, Montreal’s top duo of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield got Montreal off to a hot start. Depth injuries have cooled off the Habs.
Ottawa C-, Ottawa lost their Captain Brady Tkachuk early and have played like a rudderless ship even with him back. High priced goaltender Linus Ullmark, much like the whole team, is consistently inconsistent.
Detroit B, Detroit’s Head Coach Todd McLellan has inspired Captain Dylan Larkin to the best hockey of his career. Lucas Raymond, Alex Debricat and the rest of the Red Wings are playing like they’re sick of missing the playoffs. Unfortunately John Gibson and Cam Talbot have not solved Detroit’s problems in net.
Tampa A-, Tampa is one one the NHL’s top teams after a horrendous start. The Bolts had way too much talent to flounder and have since gone on a long winning streak. Forwards Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel and Jake Guentzal are putting on a show most nights even though their defense has been plagued with injuries.
Florida C-, The 2 time defending Stanley Cup Champs have played this season without their 2 best forwards Sasha Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. Happy hangover vibes and Brad Marchand carried the Big Cats early but a lackluster Sergei Bobrovsky in net has left a post season participation in doubt.
Buffalo D+, Buffalo was not supposed to be good but they’re embarrassing on most nights. The nights the Swords look good make the other nights even more frustrating.Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch are auditioning for the trade deadline.
Toronto C- Toronto has finally bought into playing heavy hockey. The Leafs took 8 weeks to realized Mitch Marner was not even close to being replaced. What’s the bigger question in Toronto ? Is Auston Matthews still a superstar or do we need to get another goalie because 1a Anthony Stolarz and 1b Joe Woll can’t stay healthy?
METRO –
Pittsburgh A, Head Coach Dan Muse has got every Penguins player to play above what was expected of them. Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson are playing like it’s 10 years ago. All of GM Kyle Dubas summer transactions have paid dividends. The much maligned goaltender Tristen Jarry has been stellar in net.
Philadelphia A, Head Coach Rick Tocchet has done more with less than any coach in the NHL. Trevor Zegras’ shootout points inflate their place in the standings but the Flyers still had to get to the shootout.
Rangers C-, Mike Sullivan’s inaugural season with the Rangers has not gone as planned. They have a terrible home record because they can’t score at MSG. The Rangers are disjointed. The Rangers are not playing as a team. Individuals are playing good at times but rarely as a team. They Rangers are mid even with the exceptional play in net form Igor Shesterkin and Johnathan Quick.
Washington B+, Washington has caught their stride after a sluggish start. Alexander Ovechkin appears to be aiming for 1000 career goals. Tom Wilson appears to be aiming for a spot on the Canadian Olympic team. So does goaltender LoganThompson.
Carolina B, Carolina is playing their usual brand of winning yet boring hockey. Rookie Brandon Bussi may finally give Carolia a goalie who can win a big playoff series .
Islanders A, Number 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer has not only made himself front runner for Rookie of the Year he also breathed life into this stale franchise. The Fishermen are now thinking playoffs not rebuild.
New Jersey B-, New Jersey has fallen apart after superstar center Jack Hughes got injured at a steak house. Pre injury they were Eastern Conference favorites now they are trying to hang on to a playoff spot.
Columbus C-, The Blue Jackets were expecting to make the playoffs this season. They need to win the close games they are playing just good enough to lose.
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