Because of their Stanley Cup hangover induced 2-7 start, the Bruins have just 16 points, which ties them for last in the Adams Northeast Division with the Hartford Whalers Canadiens. But, the B’s also look like the best team in the NHL right now. They’ve won 5 games in a row improving to 8-7, while averaging 6 goals a game during the streak. Their goal differential is +17 for the season, easily the best in the NHL (Washington is 2nd at +13). And Tyler Seguin has already matched his total from last year with his team leading 11 goals, including 7 in the last 4 games. Seguin is also tops in the league with a +/- of 14.
If you’ve read my stuff in the past you know I’m not really a big hockey guy. In fact, when I looked at the NHL standings just now, it was for the first time this season. So I was particularly surprised by what I saw in the Southeast Division: Washington 1st, Florida 2nd, Tampa 3rd, Carolina 4th, and in last place, Winnipeg. WINNIPEG!?! In ’96 the Winnipeg Jets became the Phoenix Coyotes. And this year the Atlanta Thrashers became the new Winnipeg Jets. And if you never even knew there was such a team as the “Atlanta Thrashers,” I don’t blame you. In the franchise’s storied 12 years of existence they made the playoffs only one time, a fairly impressive level of ineptitude in a league where over half of the teams qualify for the post season each year.
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About Mark Vandeusen