The month of October has concluded! Most NHLers were excited to show their general managers what they were signed big bucks to do while the rest are still trying to find their A-game. Regardless, there are already some interesting things to note.
First, let's recap the impactful injuries for the month of October:
October 14th, 2015
Matt Read out 21 days with recurring back spasms
Cam Atkinson out 22 days with chronic back soreness
October 15th, 2015
Braydon Coburn out 20 days with recurring back spasms
October 17th, 2015
Tuuka Rask out 330 days with a ruptured medial collateral ligament
October 22nd, 2015
Derek Stepan out 18 days with a calf laceration
October 28th, 2015
Chris Kunitz out 16 days with forearm tendinitis
October 30th, 2015
Carl Söderberg out 23 days with a strained back
As for transactions, it was a very quiet month of October. There was only a single minor trade and a handful of waiver claims as shown below:
October 19th, 2015
Trade Martin Gernat to 
for a 3rd Round Draft Pick (Vancouver), 2016 NHL Entry Draft
Waiver Wire Claims:
Jeff Zatkoff acquired on waivers by
Matt Donovan acquired on waivers by
Louis Leblanc acquired on waivers by
Taylor Beck acquired on waivers by
Tanner Glass acquired on waivers by
With those transactions out of the way, we look on towards the results for the month of October. It was a busy month for some clubs as a few teams got the ball rolling on their push for the playoffs. Take a look at the standings and stats leaders for the month of October:
As of October 30th, 2015
A number of interesting notes:
- held the longest undefeated streak at 7-0-0
held the longest points streak at 7-0-2- Jaromir Jagr has 7 points (1G, 6A)
- are 3-1-0 since Malcolm Subban took over for the injured Tuuka Rask
remain undefeated in their home rink at 4-0-0- Chris Kreider has the most shots without a goal with 40
- Mike Condon holds the most impressive undefeated record amongst goalies at 4-0-0
Who's Hot?
A look at the hottest teams as of late. The record indicates their last few matches while the number in brackets indicates their position in the league standings.
- 4-1-0 (1st)
- 3-2-0 (3rd)
5-0-0 (4th)
3-1-1 (5th)
3-1-1 (2nd)
Is it luck or is it skill?
Who's Cold?
A look at the coldest teams as of late.
- 0-5-0 (29th)
0-5-0 (28th)- 1-3-1 (30th)
1-3-1 (21st)
2-3-0 (18th)
Is it bad luck or is it fate?
Looking forward to the month of November, I expect the Calgary Flames to start running out of fuel in the Pacific, the Tampa Bay Lightning to win more games and pull closer to Montreal in the Atlantic, the Chicago Blackhawks to begin to run away in the Central, and the New York Islanders to switch places with Washington.
It will be interesting to see how the hot goaltending tandem of Jonathan Quick and Jhonas Enroth will do in November, how Boston handles the absence of Tuuka Rask for the rest of the season, and whether or not McDavid can find his rhythm in the NHL and lead the pitiful Edmonton Oilers to the playoffs – or at least a race for the final wildcard spot that does not end before the All-Star game. By the way, Anthony Duclair of the Arizona Coyotoes currently leads rookies skaters with 11 points (6G, 5A) and Jack Eichel in second with 10 points (3G, 7A) – Connor McDavid has only put up 6 points (3G, 3A).
That's it for the month of October! What are YOUR thoughts on how the season started? And what are YOU looking forward to in the month of November?