Checking in with the Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks – (2-0-0, 4 pts, 6th in the West)
The Ducks are off to a pretty good start this season. They’ve played two games so far, both on the road and won against Vancouver and Calgary. Their defense has been really shaky out of the gate but their offense has been stellar as they’ve won their two games by a 12-7 margin.
The usual suspects (Selanne, Getzlaf, Perry, Koivu) have been doing most of the heavy work for them so far but there’s been one surprise to the season. That surprise is Daniel Winnik, the team leader in goals with 4. Winnik is shooting a ridiculous 66.7% so far on the season (four goals on six shots) so there’s no way he can keep this up.
Former Star Sheldon Souray has also started out the season well with a goal and two assists to lead the defense.
The Week Ahead:
Fri. Jan. 25 – Vancouver @ Anaheim
Sat. Jan. 26 – Nashville @ Anaheim
Tues. Jan. 29 – Anaheim @ San Jose
Los Angeles Kings – (0-2-1, 1 pt, 15th in the West)
The Stanley Cup champs are off to a rough start to the season. They’ve lost all three of their games by a 10-4 margin and Jonathan Quick has looked very beatable. They are 0-19 on the power play and their penalty kill has allowed at least one goal in each game so far this season.
Only two players on the team have more than one point (Kyle Clifford and Jordan Nolan) and they’ve been outshot in each game so far this season. Anze Kopitar did return from injury though during the week so they have their top center back.
The Kings are still missing two defensemen due to injury, Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene. Mitchell should return sometime during the next week of games.
The Week Ahead:
Sat. Jan. 26 – LA @ Phoenix
Mon. Jan. 28 – Vancouver @ LA
Thur. Jan. 31 – Nashville @ LA
Phoenix Coyotes – (1-3-0, 2 pts, 13th in the West)
Like LA, the Coyotes are also off to a poor start to the season. Their losses have come against Dallas, Chicago and San Jose while their lone win came against Columbus.
Mike Smith suffered a lower body injury in game two and missed their last games. Steve Sullivan leads the team with four goals and five points while Oliver Ekman-Larsson is off to a solid start with two goals and one assist.
Besides Smith, there are a few more injuries to note though some may not be significant. Martin Hanzal, Matthew Lombardi and Rostislav Klesla are all dealing with injuries.
The Week Ahead:
Sat. Jan 26. – LA @ Phoenix
Mon. Jan 28 – Nashville @ Phoenix
Wed. Jan 30 – Edmonton @ Phoenix
San Jose Sharks – (3-0-0, 6 pts, 2nd in the West)
The Sharks are off to a fast start to the season and are currently second only to Chicago and it’s been clicking on just about all cylinders for the San Jose.
They’ve scored at least two power play goals in each game and have been working with a deadly efficiency. Joe Thornton leads the league with nine points and eight assists while Patrick Marleau has six goals to lead the NHL. About the only weakness has been the penalty kill as they’ve allowed 5 goals on 14 chances.
They have two players with injury troubles at the moment. Brent Burns and Jason Demers have both not been on the ice yet this season and Burns was just placed on IR. The Burns IR move also allowed the Sharks to sign Scott Gomez, though I’m not sure why they would do that.
San Jose is in the midst of a six-game homestand to help get the season get kick-started.
The Week Ahead:
Sat. Jan 26. – Colorado @ San Jose
Sun. Jan 27 – Vancouver @ San Jose
Tues. Jan. 29 – Anaheim @ San Jose
Thurs. Jan. 31 – Edmonton @ San Jose
