Through two weeks of the NHL season, five teams are sporting a zero in either the win or loss column. Just a pair of undefeated clubs remain, while three are winless. Let’s take a look at each extreme end of the standings and project what the future holds for what are currently the best and worst clubs in hockey.
Undefeated
Edmonton Oilers (5-0-0) – The Oilers finished second-to-last in the Western Conference in 2018-19 and didn’t do much in the offseason. But they do have Connor McDavid, and right now that is enough to defy expectations. McDavid leads the NHL with 12 points as of Monday afternoon (four goals, eight assists). Edmonton will put its perfect record on the line on Monday against—ironically—one of the winless teams (Chicago). Check out Pickswise’s free NHL picks for analysis of that game and all the others.
Colorado Avalanche (4-0-0) – This is a franchise that is clearly on the rise, so a 4-0-0 should not come as much of a shock. Colorado won a playoff series last season for the first time since 2007-08 after compiling at least 90 points for a second year in a row. The Avalanche acquired Nazem Kadri from Toronto during the offseason to bolster what was already a young and impressive roster. One word of caution: they have played all four of their contests at home and now embark on a six-game road trip.
Winless
New Jersey Devils (0-3-2) – The Devils were the third-worst team in the NHL last season with 72 points, one better than lowly Los Angeles. Their 0-3-2 suggests not much improvement is in store, but on paper things should be different. New Jersey added veterans P.K. Subban and Wayne Simmonds while also winning the draft lottery to select Jack Hughes No. 1 overall. This roster really isn’t that bad, so the Devils will likely find pick up a win—and more—sooner rather than later. Hey, at least two of their losses have come in shootouts!
Minnesota Wild (0-4-0) – Only one team in the NHL remains without a single point, and it’s Minnesota. That’s right; the Wild have lost all four of their games in regulation. In fact, they haven’t even come close to forcing overtime yet, as all of their setbacks have come by multiple goals—including three by a trio of goals. Minnesota has been outscored 21-10 overall. Coming off a last-place finish in the Central Division last season and having done little to change its roster, this kind of start is hardly surprising.
Chicago Blackhawks (0-2-1) – The Blackhawks have a good excuse for their goose-egg: the schedule! They have played only three games so far, after beginning their season in Prague and then getting five days off. By comparison, Winnipeg has already played seven games and eight other teams have taken the ice six times. Thus the jury is still out on Chicago, which may not be as bad as its current point total suggest. But this franchise remains in rebuilding mode, so there is little reason for optimism in 2019-20.