Much to be thankful for in the NHL this holiday season, but also some issues that we would like eradicated.
What we would be thankful to be without:
Cancer. NBC analyst Eddie Olczyk is going through chemotherapy. New Jersey Devils center Brian Boyle was diagnosed in training camp. Former referee Kerry Fraser announced his diagnosis in November. Cancer is the NHL’s ugliest adversary.
No NHL players in Olympics. This is not to say the 2018 Games won’t be enjoyable. But it will be weird without the best talent battling for their country’s hockey supremacy. NHL players are prideful.
Concussions. Awareness has been improved dramatically, but it remains a significant problem. Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and New Jersey forward Marcus Johansson are among those sidelined with concussions.
Defining greatness through Cups. Henrik Lundqvist is an all-time great goalie, just as Alex Ovechkin is one of the game’s best scorers. Neither has won a Stanley Cup. Let’s not dent their sterling resumes because of their lack of championships. Hockey is a team sport.
Pittsburgh’s offensive slide. The Penguins rank 25th in scoring with an average of 2.68 goals per game. The Penguins have only scored two more goals than the Arizona Coyotes. That’s not right. You go to California to see the Pacific Ocean. You go to Banff, Alberta, to view scenic beauty. You go to Pittsburgh to see goals. Lots of them. Sidney Crosby. Evgeni Malkin. Phil Kessel. We don’t watch Pittsburgh to see those guys check.
Point system. The current format of two points for a win and one point for an overtime or shootout loss has produced parity. But it's time for the NHL to reward teams for regulation wins with three points. Under the current system, it's difficult for teams to make up ground late in the season.
Soft rules on penalty kills. Let’s stop being easy on those committing legal acts. Let’s stop allowing penalty killers to legally ice the puck, and let’s make penalized players serve a full two minutes, even if a goal is scored.
Brent Burns’ goal slump. The Sharks defenseman has 56 goals over the past two seasons, but he has none on 82 shots in 19 games this year. Not only is the league more fun when he’s lighting it up, the Sharks would be in a better position than 10-8-1 if Burns, who has seven assists, were producing at his usual rate. San Jose is 29th in offense.
Carolina’s attendance woes. The Hurricanes rank last in NHL attendance, with an average of 11,356, according to ESPN. That’s about 60% capacity, a disappointing showing, given the Hurricanes are a rising team, contending for a playoff spot with a 9-6-4 record.
Carey Price’s injury. The game is better when its best players are in it and playing well. The Montreal Canadiens netminder hasn’t played since Nov. 2 because of a lower-body injury. Even though he’s gotten off to a rough start (.877 save percentage), Price is a goalie you pay to watch.
