Bartnick’s look at the Eastern Conference during the first turn | Pro Hockey News

We have reached the quarter pole of the NHL season. Time to share some first quarter figures. 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 are also in the west, Calgary. The Eastern Conference is in a state of parity or mediocrity. Many teams are within a few points of each other. The usual American Thanksgiving playoff forecaster may be worthless this season.

These numbers are weighted less on rankings and statistics and more on the eye test. They are also based on high or low pre-season expectations.

ATLANTIC-

Boston B+, Boston overcame blueline leader Charlie McAvoy’s injury with solid team defense. Superstar David Pastrnak and nuclear hottie Morgan Geekie lead 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 good start. Depth injuries have cooled the Habs down.

Ottawa C-, Ottawa lost their captain Brady Tkachuk early and played like a rudderless ship even with him back. High-priced goaltender Linus Ullmark, like the entire team, is consistently inconsistent.

Detroit B, Detroit head coach Todd McLellan has inspired captain Dylan Larkin to play the best hockey of his career. Lucas Raymond, Alex Debricat and the rest of the Red Wings are playing like they’re tired of missing the playoffs. Unfortunately, John Gibson and Cam Talbot haven’t solved Detroit’s problems in net.

Tampa A-, Tampa is one of the NHL’s top teams after a terrible start. The Bolts had far too much talent to waste and have since gone on a long winning streak. Forwards Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel and Jake Guentzal put on a show most nights, even if their defense has been plagued by injuries.

Florida C-, The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions have played this season without their top two 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 postseason entry in doubt.

Buffalo D+, Buffalo wouldn’t be good, but they’re embarrassing most nights. The nights when the Swords look good make the other nights even more frustrating. Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch audition ahead of the trade deadline.

Toronto C-Toronto has finally started playing tough hockey. It took eight weeks for the Leafs to realize that Mitch Marner wasn’t even close to being replaced. What’s the bigger question in Toronto? Is Auston Matthews still a superstar or should we get a new goalie because 1a Anthony Stolarz and 1b Joe Woll can’t stay healthy?

METRO –

Pittsburgh A, Head Coach Dan Muse has gotten every Penguins player to play beyond expectations. Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson are playing like it was 10 years ago. All of GM Kyle Dubas’ summer trades paid off. Much-maligned goalkeeper Tristen Jarry was great in net.

Philadelphia A, Head Coach Rick Tocchet has done more with less than any coach in the NHL. Trevor Zegras’ shootout points increase their spot in the standings, but the Flyers still had to make it to the shootout.

Rangers C-, Mike Sullivan’s first season with the Rangers didn’t go as planned. They have a terrible home record because they can’t score at MSG. The Rangers are inconsistent. The Rangers don’t play as a team. Individuals sometimes play well, but rarely as a team. The Rangers are in the middle of the table with the exceptional play of net form Igor Shesterkin and Johnathan Quick.

Washington B+, Washington has taken the lead after a slow start. Alexander Ovechkin appears to be aiming for 1,000 career goals. Tom Wilson appears to be aiming for a spot on the Canadian Olympic team. That also applies to goaltender Logan Thompson.

Carolina B, Carolina is playing their usual brand of winning but boring hockey. Rookie Brandon Bussi can finally give Carolia a goaltender that can win a major playoff series.

Islanders A, No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer has not only made himself a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, he’s breathed life into this aging franchise. The Vissers now think that the play-offs will not be rebuilt.

New Jersey B-, New Jersey has fallen apart after superstar center Jack Hughes was injured at a steakhouse. Before the injury they were favorites in the Eastern Conference, now they are trying to hold on to a playoff spot.

Columbus C- The Blue Jackets expected to make the playoffs this season. They have to win the close games they play just well enough to lose.

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