Welcome to Top-Shelf Takes, a weekly series from staff writer Mary Clarke all about the NHL. Lace up your skates as we dive deep into the epic highs and lows of this little sport called hockey.
It wasn’t that long ago that New Jersey Devils fans were calling for head coach Lindy Ruff’s job. In fact, Devils fans chanted “fire Lindy” during New Jersey’s home opener, a 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, to express their displeasure at the team’s state of affairs.
Oh, what a difference a month makes.
One week into November, Devils fans have completely changed their tune after the team shook off two straight losses to start the season. In their last 10 games, the Devils have gone 9-1-0 and sit third overall in the NHL with a 9-3-0 record. For a team that many — myself included! — wrote off entirely for the 2022-23 season, what the Devils are doing right now defies all logic and reason.
For a Devils team that finished seventh in the Metropolitan last season, this result without a doubt passes any and all best case scenarios New Jersey’s upper management had. Seriously, when the Devils have Jesper Bratt making goals like this, there’s something special going on in New Jersey.
THIS HAPPENED. pic.twitter.com/TRYB2JLb1z
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 4, 2022
Speaking of Bratt, the 23-year-old has been the impetus for the team’s hot start and a big reason why the Devils are fifth in the NHL (3.67) in goals for per games played. Currently, Bratt is on pace for a 113-point season after scoring five goals and 18 points in 13 games played so far, leading the Devils in both categories. All this after coming off the quietest 73-point season in history last year, by the way.
Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier haven’t been slouches either so far, with 12 and 14 points each respectively, but right now it’s Bratt driving the bus for New Jersey.
With the Devils’ offense riding high, what about the rest of the team? New Jersey’s goaltending, which torched them last year after using seven netminders, is actually standing quite tall all things considered. Mackenzie Blackwood’s .880 save percentage is pretty deceiving after a dismal showing against Washington (five goals on 18 shots) but is above .900 if you discard that outlier. And Vitek Vanecek has settled in well with his new team, going 5-1-0 with a .908 save percentage so far.
So, what’s the catch? There’s always one with the Devils, considering they’ve been perennial disappointments and underachievers for the last decade despite some high draft picks and major offseason signings. There’s still room for things to go wrong — it’s early after all — but this Devils team may honestly be legit. You’d like to see the rest of the Devils lineup step up offensively to meet Bratt, Hughes, and Hischier in case they falter, but right now New Jersey is proving the doubters wrong with gusto.
Three stars
3. Flyers bring back the Cooperalls with style
The Flyers invoked the 1980s in a major way with their Reverse Retro jerseys, featuring the infamous Cooperall pants! Sadly, the Cooperalls are warm up only, but Philadelphia rocked the look nonetheless in their regular season debut on Tuesday.
Cooperall content for all. #ReverseRetro | #FueledByPhilly pic.twitter.com/XypDhyQ4y7
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 8, 2022
The Flyers Cooperalls are here… and they are FANTASTIC. pic.twitter.com/Ev7qkpChxF
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) November 8, 2022
2. Jack Eichel’s dominance continues into November
Eichel got off to a hot start in the first month of the season, putting up 10 points in his first 10 games. It seems as if Eichel’s not slowing down anytime soon, as Eichel now has four points (one goal, three assists) in the first three games he’s played in November, with a point streak stretching back to October 28. Guess who’s back, back again?
1. Alex Ovechkin stuns with best assist of the season
Ovechkin is mostly known for his lethal goalscoring ability, but he can still sauce a pass when called for. Folks, this may be the best assist you’ll see this year, as Ovechkin went between the legs to set up Evgeny Kuznetsov on this fabulous goal.
😮💨😮💨😮💨
Just an all-world setup from Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8). pic.twitter.com/aqOlNPjDcb
— NHL (@NHL) November 8, 2022
Ovi’s still got it!
Overachiever of the week
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken got out to a real rough start to the 2022-23 campaign. After going 2-3-2 to begin the season, Seattle has won five of their last six games and now sit second in the Pacific Division ahead of Edmonton and Calgary. Finally, for the first time since the Kraken came into being last season, the team seems to have a glimmer of hope not at all present in their inaugural year.
That being said, will it last? It may be great to see the Kraken finally settle into their own and compete for a playoff spot, but I’m not convinced just yet that Martin Jones can carry the load as Seattle’s starter with Philipp Grubauer not playing well and out with an injury. Time will tell if the Kraken’s resurgence is real or a mirage.
What to watch
Penguins vs. Capitals – Wednesday, November 9
A Metropolitan Division rivalry is certainly not to be missed, especially one featuring Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby going head to head. Both the Penguins and Capitals have underperformed so far this season so this is a must-win for both sides early on.
Golden Knights vs. Sabres – Thursday, November 10
Eichel already made his return to Buffalo last season, but with the former Sabre playing so well, expect this game to be a hotly contested one. Especially since both the Sabres and Golden Knights are actually good this season!
Oilers vs. Panthers – Saturday, November 12
The Oilers and Panthers are two of the NHL’s best offenses this year. Add to that the insecurities of their goaltending and you have yourself a barnburner in the making.
Quick hits
- We’d be remiss not to mention the Mitchell Miller saga with the Boston Bruins that engulfed hockey over the weekend. The Bruins backtracked on the signing of Miller — who was convicted in juvenile court for repeatedly bullying and assaulting a black, disabled classmate in 2016 — after major outcry from the hockey world. Good that the Bruins listened to reason, but this is a situation that should have never happened in the first place.
- Hold onto your hats, folks, as Ryan Reynolds might be buying the Ottawa Senators! That might seem like it’s coming out of nowhere, but Reynolds is Canadian and spent time in the Ottawa area growing up. Pretty cool stuff!
.@VancityReynolds addresses the rumors that he is interested in buying the @NHL @Senators. 👀 #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/oMgaM08NXy
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) November 8, 2022
- Jason Zucker broke out the Jaromir Jagr salute celebration while the Penguins wore their 1990s Reverse Retro jerseys and the former NHLer loved it. Of course, it wouldn’t be Jagr without a funny tongue-in-cheek dig too.
You can watch the 2022-23 NHL season streaming on ESPN+.
