Some NHL stars are packing less punch this season; why?
Jamie Benn, a scoring champion in 2014-15 and 41-goal scorer last season, has 11 goals in 43 games this season. Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, averaging 28 goals per season in his career, has seven this season.
Future Hall of Famer Joe Thornton has scored only three goals and each one has been an empty-netter.
“There are quirky things going on,” Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill told USA TODAY Sports. “Why are some of the best players in the game struggling right now? It’s hard to believe.”
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Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar only has four goals in 39 games. Corey Perry, who netted 50 in 2010-11, only has eight goals, putting him on the lowest scoring pace of his career.
Is this is a coincidence, a World Cup hangover or just another natural changing of the guard? Young players such as Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Toronto’s Auston Matthews, Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers are all thriving this season.
Calgary Flames president Brian Burke doesn’t believe anyone should read too much into it.
“Last year, the experts all questioned Sid (Crosby’s slow start),” Burke said. “There is plenty of time for these top players to produce. All of those guys contribute in other ways when they are not scoring.”
Last season, Crosby only had six goals in his first 32 games and ended up scoring 36. He earned MVP honors in the playoffs and the World Cup.
“It’s a hard game to figure out right now,” Nill said. “We think because these guys are the best in the world, there should be no dips. But they are just like you and I, they have good days and bad days. They get into funks, and they have the added pressure of winning, and it’s amazing how much confidence plays into it.”
Star forwards aren't the only ones suffering. New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, considered one of the league’s best, owns a 2.86 goals-against average and .902 save percentage. His career averages are a 2.31 GAA and .920 SV%.
The declines from top scorers are occurring at a time when offense is at its highest level (2.76 goals per team per game) since 2010-11. This season, seven teams are averaging three or more goals per game. Last season, only the Stars and Washington Capitals were above three goals per game.
In eight of the past nine nights, at least one team has scored six or more goals. The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Washington Capitals 8-7 on Monday night.
“The football scores are an aberration,” Burke said. “If they were all good goals, it would be one thing. But a lot of these goals will end up on blooper reals.”
The condensed NHL schedule, necessary to allow the World Cup to be played in September, could be a factor.
“Every team is playing four games in six nights or six games in nine nights,” Nill said. “I think some nights you go out there and you don’t have it, and it can get away from you fast. You lose your structure.”
Nill says parity also plays a role. “Everybody is so close and the game gets away from you and you get tight,” Nill said. “And every night you come to the game and you know you have to win. The swings in these games are amazing.”
But Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones doesn’t believe the scoring binge is about the schedule.
“There are always swings in seasons,” Jones said. “You look at our team, we went on a 16-game win streak and we were scoring from everywhere. Everything was going our way. Everything was going in. Now we have struggled to put the puck in the net a little bit. There are some crazy scores right now, but I think it is just the flow of the game.”
