October Recap
Chicago came out like gangbusters, off to a 9-1-0 start led by Patrick Kane and his league leading 21 points. Minnesota also started strong, with only one regulation loss so far. Backstrom already has two shutouts for them and their D-core is possibly top 5 in the league. The Kings seem to be suffering from a bit of a Stanley Cup hangover so far, just 4-6-1 and down in the basement with the ailing Canucks, in spite of Jonathan Quick already compiling two shutouts. San Jose has been getting great goaltending, both from starter Niemi and backup Stalock, and they are on top of their division with an 8-3-1 record.
Detroit is looking very dominant even with Datsyuk out, leading their division with an 8-2-0 record. Rookie Dylan Larkin has stepped up in his absence, with 10 points in 10 games, while Kronwall has also contributed 10 points from the back end. The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, are struggling mightily, and their goaltending tandem of Bernier and Reimer has been getting shelled without having much run support. They are in last place through one month of the season, and rumours are already swirling about a hostile locker room environment as well. The Capitals have been led to a 6-1-2 record by Alex Ovechkin and his nine goals in nine games. The Islanders sit atop the division though, at 7-2-1, and their top line of Anders Lee, John Tavares and Kyle Okposo have combined for sixteen goals so far. The Rangers are struggling in the cellar, going 3-6-0 to start the year off on the wrong foot. King Henrik has only one win so far while sporting a mediocre .906 save percentage.
Team Stat Leaders:
GF/gm - Chicago (3.9), NY Islanders (3.8), Colorado (3.5)
GA/gm - San Jose (1.5), Washington (1.7), Pittsburgh (1.9)
PP - Carolina (33%), Chicago (31%), Detroit (31%)
PK - Washington (100%), Detroit (97%), St. Louis (91%)
Goalie Leaders:
GAA - Holtby (WSH) 1.47, Howard (DET) 1.49, Rinne (NSH) 1.55
Sv Pct - Niemi (SJS) .949, Holtby (WSH) .943, Lehtonen (DAL) .943
Rookie Leaders:
Points - Larkin (DET) 10, Rask (CAR) 7, Kuznetsov (WSH) 6
Other Stat Leaders:
Takeaways - Filppula (TBL) 15, Hamhuis (VAN) 11, Hamonic (NYI) 11
Hits - L. Schenn (PHI) 68, Borowiecki (OTT) 45, Backes (STL) 41
Blocked Shots - Beachemin (ANA) 37, Carle (TBL) 35, A. Greene (NJD) 35
PIM - Clarkson (TOR) 48, Phaneuf (TOR) 34, Regehr (LAK) 34
FO% - Gordon (EDM) 67%, Barkov (FLA) 67%, Spezza (DAL) 61%
+/- - Saad (CHI) +15, Kane (CHI) +14, Toews (CHI) +14
Injuries:
D Torey Krug (BOS) OUT 1-2 months (wrist)
D Dennis Seidenberg (BOS) DTD (knee)
F Jordan Staal (CAR) OUT 2-3 months (leg)
F Brandon Dubinsky (CBJ) OUT 1-2 months (abdomen)
D David Savard (CBJ) OUT 2-3 months (leg)
F Boone Jenner (CBJ) DTD (hand)
F Johnny Gaudreau (CGY) DTD (hand)
F Pavel Datsyuk (DET) OUT 1-2 weeks (shoulder)
F Jussi Jokinen (FLA) DTD (hip)
D Erik Gudbranson (FLA) OUT indefinitely (knee)
F Tyler Toffoloi (LAK) OUT 1-2 months (knee)
G Darcy Kuemper (MIN) DTD (elbow)
F Mike Fisher (NSH) OUT 1-2 months (ankle)
F Matt Cullen (NSH) DTD (knee)
F Colin Wilson (NSH) DTD (abdomen)
F Viktor Stalberg (NSH) DTD (knee)
F Michael Grabner (NYI) OUT 1-2 months (hernia)
D Michael Del Zotto (PHI) OUT 1-2 weeks (wrist)
F Chris Kunitz (PIT) DTD (eye)
D Jason Garrison (TBL) OUT 2-3 weeks (hand)
D Alex Edler (VAN) OUT 1-2 months (arm)
D Matt Niskanen (WSH) DTD (elbow)