The 2022/23 National Hockey League (NHL) has delivered an eventful ten weeks of action thus far, as the Las Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, and New Jersey Devils are all off to hot starts.
Connor McDavid [Edmonton Oilers]
In his first nine games of the 22/23 NHL season, Edmonton Oilers standout Connor McDavid is already on route to obtaining a consecutive Art Ross Trophy (fourth overall). The league’s scoring champion is topping the statistical charts with nine goals, nine assists, and 18 points through nine games the Oilers have competed in.
McDavid was a favorite at UK betting sites last season, finishing the 2021/22 NHL term with 44 goals, 79 assists, and 123 points, making him one of the best players for bettors to add to their weekly betting slips. And he’s now emulating this incredible feat, topping the NHL with 4-4-8 – as all eight points gained were from goals that tied the game or gave the Oilers the lead – from his previous four appearances, this positioned Edmonton at second position in the Pacific Division (6-3-0, 12 points) as they finished last week perfectly. A team you want to bet on.
Wagering needs aside, McDavid collected even points from back-to-back comeback wins last week, first taking a 3-1-4 in a 6-5 win over the Chicago Blackhawks (Oct.27). The Blackhawk’s success was also his second hat trick of the season. He then returned against the Calgary Flames (Oct.29) to assist his team in a 3-2 victory and a 1-2-3 record for the game.
David Pastrnak [Boston Bruins]
Until McDavid set his stick on fire last week, Boston Bruins frontman David Pastmak led the league, scoring 17 points from nine games, including seven goals and 10 assists.
Friday night is Pasta night 🍝 pic.twitter.com/RihHYdGeBd
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 29, 2022
Overall, the Bruins have been firing on cylinders, as they’re looking like an early Stanley Cup contender with the best record (8-1-0, 16 points) from all four NHL divisions combined. Following a demolishing of the Detroit Red Wings (5-1) last Thursday night, the Bruins traveled to Columbus and embarrassed the Blue Jackets on home ice (4-0), extending their consecutive win streak to five games.
It has been the most incredible beginning of an NHL season in franchise history, an impressive feat considering that this team was established in 1924. And currently, the spotlight is on Pastrnak, who, notably, is due for a contract extension, or the Bruins could see their top scorer become a subject of free agency.
Pastrnak has now netted the puck in four straight games, claiming at least one goal and two points as he continues as a top challenger for the NHL scoring lead. “I think we play together … that’s the biggest thing. Whoever was in the lineup was going the whole game… we’re pleased about where we’re at now, but we’re obviously going to keep working on our game.”, Pastrnak commented during a post-game interview.
Logan Thompson & Adin Hill [Las Vegas Golden Knights]
Las Vegas is one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now, and the net is being shared by the Canadian duo of Logan Thompson and Adin Hill, who’ve allowed the fewest goals in the league thus far. The Great White North tag team is 8-2 combined with a 1.70 goals-against average, and nobody predicted this beginning for two players who seemed less than desirable on paper.
We have a 25-year-old undrafted rookie with 19 NHL starts in Thompson and a 26-year-old who has never established himself as a starter. This is the Golden Knights goalie room from the outside looking in, but they’re proving the doubters wrong with a great beginning to the season.
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said: “On the outside looking in, I think people automatically assumed it was not going to be good, and I get it on paper, but the game is not played on paper.”
As Laurent Brossoit remains sidelined, Thompson and Hill lead the league in goals against per game and save percentage. A .941 save percentage is 14 points greater than any other team in the league and 40 points higher than the league average. Of the teams who’ve played ten games this term, Vegas is the only team to allow less than 30 goals – impressive!
