What Happened
Thirty-five days into the NHL season, the Boston Bruins carry a plus-20 goal differential, second in the league to the Carolina Hurricanes at plus-27, according to Sportsnet. Five teams are at a .700 points percentage or better, including Boston and Montreal in the Atlantic. Montreal's shot, shot attempt and expected goal shares, all below 50 per cent last season, are now positive.
Key Details
- Bruins at plus-20, Hurricanes at plus-27 in goal differential.
- Last season only Colorado reached plus-22 at the 35-day mark and won the Presidents' Trophy.
- Five teams at .700 points percentage or better; four of five made the playoffs last season.
- Boston and Montreal are the Atlantic's two teams at .700 or better.
- Montreal is positive in shot, shot attempt and expected goal share this season.
What It Means
Early goal differential and points percentage are indicators, not conclusions. Last season Buffalo sat last in the East at minus-8 after 35 days and finished first in the Atlantic, while Minnesota was a point out before trading for Quinn Hughes. With roughly two weeks until the quarter mark, teams can still play their way into or out of the picture.
What's Next
The season reaches its official quarter mark in about two weeks, when early indicators can be compared with last season's 35-day snapshot.