After Sunday, every
team in the league except the Flames will have played at least seven games. In
the shortened 48 game season, that’s almost fifteen percent of the schedule. Now that the 2013
campaign is two weeks old, it is time to take a look at the early surprises of
the year
By Andrew Miller
Biggest Surprise: Tampa Bay Lightning
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| (Kim Klement/USA Today Sports) |
Everyone knew
Steven Stamkos would light it up as usual, following his 60 goal year by
putting up 14 points in just seven games. However, Marty St Louis seems ageless
by still getting the job done at 37 and Vincent Lecavalier has managed to find
a resurgence in his career after not averaging a point per game since the 07-08
season. But possibly the biggest bright spot on the team may be goalie Anders
Lindback holding his own in the net. Although he doesn’t have Vezina caliber
numbers, for his first year as a full time starter he has been more than reliable
for the Lightning. The teams six wins through seven games makes them the
biggest surprise of the year so far after not making the playoffs last year.
Honorable Mention: Patrick Marleau (San Jose
Sharks)
San Jose’s star
left wing has quietly always been a reliable scorer, but in seven games, he has
scored nine goals. In comparison, the Sharks have let up 12 on the season. A
recipe for success starts with the Canadian scoring two goals a game for the
first four games of the season. I would not expect Marleau to keep up his crazy
pace, but the start lands him an honorable mention.
Biggest Disappointment: Philadelphia Flyers
My pick to win the
East this year has let me down so far to this point. The Flyers have question
marks everywhere. Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell combined for two points this
season while Ilya Bryzgalov is still struggling to find his rhythm. It will be
hard to turn it around with the Atlantic Division looking stronger than ever.
Peter Laviolette has to turn this team around quickly or else the Broad Street
Bullies will fade out of the playoff picture.
Honorable Mention: Alex Ovechkin (Washington
Capitals)
Alex Ovechkin burst
onto the NHL scene, already winning a rookie of the year and an MVP award by
the age of 25. He has yet to find his groove this season, however, only scoring
two goals to go along with a lone assist. The Caps need him to wake up, as they
only won twice in their first eight games. The Great Eight can heat up in a
hurry and score in bunches, and I would bet that he turns it around and cracks
the 20 goal mark on the year.
