Just like any other sport, the NHL has had some unexpected powerhouses come into the forefront of the league. The Wild and Jets are two examples. Both of these teams were expected to make the playoffs, but both teams have become some of the best in the league. Others that were supposed to be powerhouses have been mediocre, such as the Bruins and the Predators. Which team needs to be worried about where their season is going?
Dallas Stars: Low
The Stars should be in first place in the Central right now, but the amazing starts from the Jets and the Wild have the Stars sitting in third with a 14-8-0 record. Still, the Stars have little to worry about moving forward. The Stars have a great goaltender in Jake Oettinger, who is 12-4 to start the season. Oettinger holds a goals against average of 2.47 and a save percentage of .912, which are great numbers so far. Superstar forward Jason Robertson hasn't had the start to the year he wanted, scoring 13 points in 22 games. Even so, the Stars are getting scoring from other players in the lineup. Matt Duchene leads the team in points with 27 in 22 games. Duchene also leads in goals and assists. Mason Marchment has had a breakout start to his fifth season in the league with 23 points in 21 games.
The Stars definitely want to see more production from Robertson and star defenseman Miro Heiskanen. Heiskanen has 12 points in 22 games, which is good, but for a player of his caliber, the team may want to see more. Robertson is a very streaky scorer, and the Stars have been looking for him to get more consistent. If he's not able to do that, the Stars may not go as far as some people think. It wouldn't be surprising to see one or both of these players turn around their season however, so Stars fans have little to worry about.
New York Rangers: Moderate
The Rangers are an interesting team. They started out hot as one of the best teams in the league, but are currently in a five-game losing streak. The Rangers are on the brink of beating the Canadians at the time of posting, but no doubt Rangers fans and the team have wanted to see more.
Artemi Panarin has had another outstanding start to the year, but he has been cooling off as of late. But, Panarin still leads the Rangers in goals and points, with 12 goals and 26 points in 22 games. The person second on the team in points is Will Cuylle, who has had a breakout year so far. Cuylle has 19 points in 22 games, and has secured himself and his linemates a spot in the top six of the Rangers forward core. However, the Rangers top-paid players haven't shown themselves so far this season.
Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad are two players the Rangers have relied on to be point-per-game players for years. This season, the two have failed to produce. Zibanejad has 15 points in 22 games, while Kreider has nine in 19 games. Kreider has missed some games due to back spasms, but did return for the game against the Canadians. Regardless, the Rangers have put out some feelers regarding some trades on these players, but it would be surprising to see either one go. Even so, the Rangers need to see more from these two if they want to reclaim their spots in the top two lines.
Nashville Predators: High
The Predators have been cold for the entire start of the season, and currently sit second-to-last in the Central with a 7-12-5 record. Things could've look different if the Predators won those five overtime games, but here we are. The Predators were the team that "won the offseason" by signing some of the biggest free agents available, including Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. However, those two haven't brought in the production many have been expecting. Both players have 12 points in 24 games. Not good enough. Roman Josi has had a great start to the season, as he is currently leading the team in points with 20 in 24 games. However, no team wants their defenseman leading the team in points. Filip Forsberg has carried his weight, leading the team in goals with nine. However, the core forwards of Stamkos, Machessault and Ryan O'Reilly need to start scoring more points if the Predators want to make it to the postseason.
Goaltender Juuse Saros has played good in net, but his record doesn't show it. He is 6-10-4 between the pipes so far this season, with a GGA of 2.60 and a .912 save percentage. Nashville has really disappointed so far, and things will need to turn around quickly, or they'll find their playoff spot in the hands of someone else.