The NHL announced that this season they would be expanding to 84 games this year, which would include more games against your division, but some teams have caught fans’ eyes, and they should be worried because things are not looking good. Here are 3 teams that should be worried about their tough start.
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Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have been a major disappointment, and the tenure of Peter Laviolette has only just started. The talent is there with players like Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, and Brandt Clarke. The issue is goaltending. Neither Darcy Kuemper nor Anton Forsberg has been reliable on the net.
Could the Kings look to trade for a goaltender to help their struggles or even sign one in free agency? This team is off to a rocky start, and bad goaltending will continue to hurt this squad.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Is the age of this current core with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson finally catching up? Ever since their 7-0 win over Philadelphia, the team hasn’t looked very sharp. Their offense has been unlucky, as their team is 4th in expected goals for.
Can the Penguins rely on their older guys for another full season? Or will their young guys be able to put some more weight on their shoulders and start producing more?
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are a young team and are looking to rebuild and start over. Numerous players are gone, and this team is young. Will this team be able to fix their defense and goaltending?
Their aim this season is to nurture their young talent while navigating the ups and downs ahead. Expect a challenging journey filled with obstacles. Their primary concern will be the defense and goaltending. Kevin Lainkanen is going to be their number one goalie, and he isn’t used to this big of a workload.
Final thoughts
The Kings, Penguins, and Canucks each face unique challenges this season. The Kings are in search of a revitalizing spark to ignite their performance, while the Penguins are eager for their younger players to step up and make a significant impact. The Canucks, a blend of youth and experience, are working to harness the potential of their young talent alongside their seasoned veterans.
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