The COVID/Holiday break is over. There will be no Olympic break. The NHL is determined to play 82 games. From this point, it should be all about the competition.
COVID will still have its say, but it seems like we should have an entertaining few months of hockey to enjoy. Here is my eight top storylines, in reverse order, for the first few months of 2022:
8. Carolina's Impressive Success: As of today, the Hurricanes' winning percentage is .758 and their goal-differential is +40 after 31 games. They lead the NHL in both categories. Four teams have winning percentages over. 700, but the closest is Florida at .719. Are the 'Canes really this good? They might be. Goalie Freddie Andersen's arrival has made a difference. Carolina also boasts two dangerous scoring lines and a defense that is miserable to play against. They will be entertaining to watch down the stretch. Look for Don Waddell to make a bold trade. It's fun when the Hurricanes are a contending team because the local Raleigh atmosphere for playoffs is similar to a college football game. Tailgating. Barbecue. Lots of pre-game activity. They are a team to watch in the coming months. a 7. March 21 will be here before you know it: The NHL trade deadline could be extra fun this season Plenty of name players are in the pipeline. Ben Chiarot. Mark Giordano. Tomas Hertl. Evander Kane. Nick Leddy. Phil Kessel. Rasmus Ristolainen. Will Jonathan Quick be moved? How about Joe Pavelski and John Klingberg? Gives you plenty of reason to keep an eye on Dallas. 6. Who's on the list?: Get used to the idea that COVID-19 will cause problems for 32 NHL all seasons. We are starting to see players testing positive for a second time. Feel free to wonder whether we will need to extend the season to play all of these postponed games. COVID is going to be every team's most challenging opponent.
5. The Jack Eichel Story: People to find it hard to root for Eichel. That's because he says what's on his mind and despises losing. He wasn't very tolerant of being on a poor team in Buffalo. But he's an elite center and it will be fascinating to see what he will be able to do with the talented Vegas Golden Knights. Word around the league is Eichel is determined to return to playing ASAP. He's perfect for Vegas because he's going to put on a show.
4. Can Bruce Boudreau get the Canucks into the playoffs?: It seems possible. Boudreau has a feel for getting teams turned in the right direction. He makes it enjoyable for players to come to the rink. He is an entertaining fellow and don't be surprised to find yourself rooting for the Canucks down the stretch. Boudreau has a high entertainment value.
3. Marc-Andre Fleury Watch: It would be a shame if the Chicago Blackhawks don't trade Fleury to the Colorado Avalanche or Edmonton Oilers or even the Minnesota Wild. If he is planning to retire, he deserves one more Cup run. As a general observation, people like Fleury. He's humble, soft-spoken, reasonably funny. Even opponents like him. 2. Alex Ovechkin's incredible season: The man is 36 and on a pace for 121 points. He isn't likely to register that many. But boasts 50 points in 36 games. It would seem to have a shot at reaching 100 points for the first time in more than a decade. How close will he be to Gretzky's goal record when this season over? Whatever happens, Ovechkin is fascinating to watch this season.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning's Quest for a Three-Peat: It's been almost four decades since the New York Islanders won four in a row. The Lightning are only the third team since then to win two in a row. When you consider the players they lost in the offseason, you would think they wouldn't have much a chance for a third. They lost their depth. But when you watch them play this season, you can talk yourself into believing they have a reasonable chance. They still have very talented stars.