Happy Halloween to everyone from Stick to Hockey. Today I decided to throw together a quick “trick” or “treat” article about some of the who’s hot and who’s not in the NHL so far this season. Here is a few stand outs for you.
Treats
I don’t think anyone is hotter than L A Kings foward, Anze Kopitar right now in the NHL tallying 8 points in his last 3 games including a natural hat trick against Dallas on Thursday night. The Kings early success this season has a lot to do with Kopitar.
The Colorado Avalanche out to a great start and best in the west need to give goaltender Craig Anderson a pat on the back. Anderson leads the league with wins (10) and is sporting a 2.04 GAA and a .939 save %.
Speaking of goalies, Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres is leading the league in save % (.944) and GAA (1.65) . Miller is still undefeated at 8-0-1, Buffalo is 3rd in the east at 8-1-1.
The New York Rangers got a very good treat aquiring Marian Gaborik from the Minnesota Wild. Gaborik has 10 goals and 8 assist as he sits 5th in the league for points. The much anticipated return to Minnesota last night was a let down as Gaborik was out with a leg injury.
Tricks
Nathan Horton of the Florida Panthers has been less than impressive with a mere 2 goals and a -3. Those are not the numbers that the Panthers were expecting out of Horton when they gave him that 4 million dollar contract. There has also been trade rumors circulating with Horton’s name attached.
The Detroit Red Wings are in the market for a goaltender as Chris Osgood could have passed his prime. Osgood , one game over .500 and a dismal 3.41 GAA and a .882 save %, there is no surprise on why Detroit is shopping.
A big part of the Carolina Hurricanes success a few years ago when they won the Stanley Cup was the outstanding play of goaltender Cam Ward. This season Ward has started out very shaky with a 2-6 record.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
