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MammothKings and Devils Deserve Better Than Their Records Show
Tampa Bay has earned its wins, while the Islanders and Capitals bank points on borrowed time and Vancouver sinks deeper
The standings and the scoring chances don't always agree, and through the first weeks the gap was widest in Los Angeles and New Jersey.
The Los Angeles Kings are 0-4-2 but created more good looks than they gave up across six games. The New Jersey Devils sit at 4-4 despite consistently outchancing opponents. Neither club got the bounces its play deserved.
Tampa Bay had no such complaint. The Lightning carried 58.7% of the expected goals in their games, meaning most of the danger was theirs, and a 6-2 record says they cashed in. Utah drove play at nearly the same clip.
At the other end, Vancouver spent most nights chasing. The Canucks held just 38.1% of the expected goals, and their 2-7-1 mark is honest.
The warning signs belong to the Islanders (4-3-1) and Capitals (5-3). Both were outchanced over eight games yet sit with winning records. The puck went their way more often than their play earned.