BIG FOUR - The US Sport column : The Tops and Flops of the NHL season

On the weekend of the main round ends in the NHL. 82 games for each of the 31 Teams competed in the last seven months. For 16 teams the season with the Play-offs. First, we look at what was in season, positive and less positive.

Top: Tampa Bay Lightning

For the record of 63 Wins in a season, it won't be enough, but Tampa Bay has a regular season, as it is only every couple of decades changes: with The most achievements, the most goals, best home and best away team, Topscorer Nikita Kutscherow and a lot of awards after the end of the season. Starting next week, the team has, however, a bit of pressure: to achieve After this season, at least the Stanley Cup final, would be a bitter disappointment.

Flop: Edmonton Oilers

With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers put two of the top four scorers from the NHL. And yet it was not enough as in the previous year for the Play-offs. If the two stars to be turned off, almost nothing. The Management has not managed to make the two Superstars, a few good players and more to the side. Given the salaries, the cash in McDavid and Draisaitl in the future, it could be for the duration of the theme in Edmonton.

Top: Alexander Ovechkin

Also in this season the Russian in the service of the Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals will score more than 50 goals in the main round. He is now the eighth Time in his career. In the meantime, the Russian has been playing 14 years in the NHL, at this time the 50-goal mark was exceeded a total of only 13 Times. Ovechkin leads against the Rest of the League so 8:5. And who would have thought before the season that him winning the title in 2018 is a bit tired, could have done, has been deceived to some extent.

Flop: Ilya Kovalchuk

The Russian Olympic Champions returned for pre-season in the NHL, experienced in Los Angeles but then a disaster season. Sometimes he had to the numerous defeats from the stands watching. His Plus-Minus balance is devastating, all the 14 goals he scored. No wonder that the Kings were this season, never in the proximity of the Play-off places.

Top: Offensive

In the NHL, many of the goals again properly. Only Ovechkin is not in this season (see above). There were more hat-tricks, more Comeback wins and a lot of Powerplay goals. The Fans will not be happy, at least if you keep it up with the Anaheim Ducks. The had this season on the rarest of goals to cheer. On average, only 2.4 Times. For comparison: Tampa Bay scored almost four goals per game.

Flop: Chicago's Fans

Admittedly, a somewhat courageous choice now. After all, the Blackhawks lead the NHL in terms of visitors and average attendance. But in a season that will end with the re-Miss in the Play-offs, have also become the audience in Chicago, quieter. Long was not sold out every game and the mood took on a sometimes already sobering trains. An Era, quite obviously, to the end, not least because of the dismissal of head coach Joel Quenneville in the autumn.

Top Las Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas has done it again in the Play-offs. You would not need to expect prior to the season. Especially after the first season of the Franchise in the Stanley Cup ended in the final, and euphoria is actually not endless transport. Okay, the start of the season this time was also much bumpier, but the Form of the last weeks makes the Fans in Vegas the courage, that you will also experience this time, still a lot of games with your Team.

Flop: Ottawa Senators

national players in the NHL Leon Draisaitl scored the first German 100 points in a season

two years Ago, the Sens had almost the Stanley Cup final reached, in the meantime, the club is breaking apart literally. The top players were successively weggetauscht, the coach had to go. As one of the worst records in the entire League is actually correct.