[rhaums]

[B]Eastern Conference[B]

Boston 7-14-1 (16th in East)
With Pastranak and DeBrusk on the injury list, Boston's lack of depth has been very clear. Marchand (22 GP, 6G, 13A) and James van Reimsdyk (21 GP, 12G, 8A) have been good, but Boston is lacking the sheer dominance of the top line that has set them apart in recent years. Head Coach Jim Montgomery still has the blessing of the front office, but things may turn if he is unable to orchestrate a bounce back.

Toronto 14-5-2 (3rd in East)
The Leafs have been a goalscoring machine through the season so far. Leading the league in shots/game and 3rd in goals/game, seeing Toronto on the schedule is a terrifying prospect for goalies. Auston Matthews (21 GP, 10G, 14A) and Mitch Marner (21 GP, 7G, 18A) are continuing to demonstrate their positions as two of the best offensive players in the league. Joining them is Norris frontrunner Morgan Rielly (21 GP, 7G, 17A), justifying the huge contract Toronto recently gave him.

New York Islanders 14-6-2 (1st in East)
The Islanders have started the season rock solid in defense. With captain Anders Lee and Matt Martin delivering huge hits each night, New York are the 9th lowest team in shots against/game. This low amount of shots conceeded is compounded with Ilya Sorokin (12 GP, .926 sv%, 2.05 GAA) on top of the Vezina odds currently. While the end of his new 8 year 8.3m AAV contract may be tough on the cap, if Sorokin can lead the Islanders to a cup, it will be more than worth it.

[Western Conference]

Vegas Golden Knights (16-6-2, 1st in West)
Jack Eichel (12 GP, 10G 9A) has made up for missing October almost instantly, at almost 2 points per game. Adin Hill (4 GP, .897 SV%, 3.28 GAA) has had some early struggles, but 26 year old Logan Thompson (21 GP, .908 SV%, 2.39 GAA) has taken the torch as starting goalie and risen to the occasion. Shea Theodore (24 GP, 5G, 12A) and William Karlsson (24 GP, 4G, 15A) have also been regular stars for Vegas, who are well on track to win their second cup in two years.

Edmonton Oilers (16-5-1, 2nd in West)
Death, taxes and Connor McDavid (22 GP, 16G, 21A) being good at hockey. McDavid has started the 23/24 season well on pace to win his 4th Hart Trophy and 6th Art Ross. Leon Draisaitl (22GP, 12 G, 20A) has matched up on that top line with McDavid to create plenty of offensive chances. Dominant goaltending from Stuart Skinner (17GP, .919 SV%, 2.59 GAA) and Jack Campbell (5GP, .926 SV%, 2.20 GAA) has made up for a leaky defense that is below average in shots allowed/game.

Arizona Coyotes (1-19-2, 16th in West)
Unfortunately it continues to be business as usual for Arizona. With Clayton Keller missing October, he's only played 7 games this season so far, with 5 goals and an assist. Rookie Logan Cooley (14 GP, 2G, 5A) has shown promise, as this young team appears to have plenty of potential, but this year appears to be another rough year in the desert. Andre Tourigny is under immense pressure from the front office, who may seek to make coaching changes before the new year.

Calder Race
Chicago's Connor Bedard (18 GP, 12G, 9A) has hit the ground running in the NHL. With more than twice the points of the next skater, LA's Brandt Clarke (14 GP, 4G, 8A), it's hard to see any skater challenging him for the Calder. With Buffalo's Devon Levi (16 GP, .899 SV%, 3.03 GAA) slipping after a solid October, it would take some big changes in the back end of the season for any developments to happen.