{"id":362570,"date":"2025-11-07T16:42:17","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T16:42:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/362570\/"},"modified":"2025-11-07T16:42:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T16:42:17","slug":"what-is-happening-in-the-nhls-head-scratching-atlantic-division","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/362570\/","title":{"rendered":"What is happening in the NHL\u2019s head-scratching Atlantic Division?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Red Light newsletter\u00a0<\/strong>\ud83c\udfd2\u00a0| This is\u00a0The Athletic\u2019s\u00a0hockey<\/a>\u00a0newsletter.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>\u00a0to receive Red Light directly in your inbox.<\/p>\n

Good morning to everyone except dastardly criminal Jordan Binnington. Your puck-stealing ways have been exposed<\/a>, and everyone knows that you\u2019re evil now. Well, everyone except that one guy<\/a>. But the rest of us know!<\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude35\u200d\ud83d\udcab What Is Happening?<\/p>\n

You know what? I think I\u2019m done pretending that I understand the Atlantic Division.<\/p>\n

At least for now. I\u2019m sure that within a few weeks, I\u2019ll find something resembling solid ground to start building a new narrative foundation. But for now? Nah. I\u2019m beaten, and I don\u2019t mind admitting it. I\u2019m tapping out on this group. Almost none of it makes one bit of sense.<\/p>\n

What can we actually say we know about the Atlantic?<\/strong> Let\u2019s summarize:<\/p>\n

\u2022 It\u2019s all about fresh blood at the top<\/strong>, with the Canadiens<\/strong><\/a> and Red Wings<\/strong><\/a> shooting past the old guard and taking over control of the division in October. Except then you get a week when the Habs lose to the Flyers and Devils and the Wings lose to the Ducks and Knights, and now the Leafs are right back there with them.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Right, the Maple Leafs<\/strong>. It feels like just a few days ago that we were burying them, because, well, we were<\/a>. In fact, after two periods against the Penguins, their own fans seemed ready to pelt them with rotten fruit. Then they came back and won that game. Then they beat the red-hot Mammoth. Now, Toronto is the second-hottest team in the division.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Yes, second-hottest, because the Bruins<\/strong> have won five straight. Yes, the same Bruins who were expected to be among the league\u2019s worst teams, then started 3-0-0, then yelled \u201cjust kidding\u201d and immediately lost their next six. Now, Boston is unbeatable.<\/strong> Sure, why not<\/a>?<\/p>\n

\u2022 Speaking of being unbeatable<\/strong>, the Lightning<\/strong> sure were, looking like Cup favorites while rolling off five straight wins. Of course, before that, they were terrible, an old team whose window had slammed shut. Now, they\u2019re rolling the Golden Knights in Vegas.<\/p>\n

\u2022 In Ottawa, the Senators<\/strong> have already been in crisis mode once<\/strong>, when they lost six of their first eight, and could be headed there again<\/strong>, losing three of four. In between, they had a three-game win streak, including scoring seven goals in back-to-back games like this was an early-\u201990s video game set on easy mode.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Who else? Oh right, just the Panthers<\/strong>, the two-time champs who\u2019ve won the conference three straight years. They\u2019re the one thing you can count on in this division. Except, before last night\u2019s win, Florida was in dead last<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u2022 And finally, the Sabres<\/strong>, who\u2019ve lost five of six, including last night to the spiraling Blues, which means \u2026 Look, I said \u201calmost\u201d none of it made sense. Thank you for your commitment to shared reality, Buffalo.<\/strong> At least something makes sense.<\/p>\n

Forget this. I\u2019m done with this division until it either gets its act together or I get better at faking like I understand anything. I\u2019ll stick with the other divisions where everything is going according to plan, and teams like the Penguins and Ducks are dominating.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udca1 Trivia Time<\/p>\n

Alexander Ovechkin now has 900 regular-season goals<\/a>, all of them scored for Washington. That\u2019s a record, of course, but it had me wondering: How many NHL franchises could boast that their top two goal scorers have at least 900 combined?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, most of the Original Six teams can offer a duo that tops that 900-mark \u2014 but not all of them, as the Leafs and Rangers come up short. But not counting Chicago, Detroit, Montreal and Boston, plus the Capitals themselves, how many other teams can you think of that can beat Ovechkin\u2019s solo total with their best two?<\/strong><\/p>\n

And for bonus points, can you name the two players for those teams?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Answer below.<\/p>\n

\"\"Coast to Coast<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa8 The PWHL revealed the names and logos<\/a> for its two new expansion teams in Seattle and Vancouver, and let\u2019s just say one works and one maybe doesn\u2019t. Find out where all eight of the league\u2019s teams landed in our updated rankings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd47 Who doesn\u2019t love a good theme party? The Rankings Guys put together a fun one today<\/a> by ranking the NHL\u2019s 32 teams and naming one player on the bubble for an Olympic roster spot for each team.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udda3 Pierre LeBrun looks at Utah\u2019s Nick Schmaltz<\/a>, a pending UFA who might be making himself a lot of money these days. And Chris Johnston has more on the Mammoth, contenders ahead of schedule<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcd0 A double dose of Dom Luszczyszyn: projecting some big upcoming contracts in 16 Stats<\/a>, and taking an updated look at every team\u2019s playoff odds.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8 Rob Rossi looks at Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, two intertwined giants<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude80 Hailey is at the Rivalry Series and has a story on Laila Edwards, the rising star you\u2019re going to want to know<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f On Thursday\u2019s TAHS<\/a>, Sean Gentille, Max Bultman and Dom Luszczyszyn break down\u2019s Ovi\u2019s historic 900th goal and try to figure out what exactly Jordan Binnington\u2019s plan was after hiding that puck in his pants.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\uddd1\u200d\u2696\ufe0f All Rise\"\"<\/p>\n

\n (Bruce Bennett \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f Rules Court is in session<\/p>\n

One of my favorite recurring features is Rules Court, in which readers can submit their proposed rules changes for a jury of three of us to vote on.<\/strong> It\u2019s led to some key breakthroughs, like how we fixed the point system, puck-over-glass and replay review. More importantly, it\u2019s also led to suggestions like \u201cwhen there\u2019s a delayed penalty and then a second one happens on the same play, the ref has to skate around with both arms in the air for the rest of the shift,\u201d and \u201cif there\u2019s a bench minor, the coach has to go across the ice and sit in the penalty box to serve it.\u201d<\/p>\n

In related news, the NHL head office never responds to our emails about implementing any of these. Maybe we should call? I\u2019m going to try calling.<\/p>\n

Anyway, the latest edition of Rules Court ran this morning. You had some interesting ideas this time around, including player loans, a new way to handle suspensions, and something that can only be called \u201cthe rule of cool.\u201d You can find out what else was suggested, and how the three of us voted, by heading to court right now<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But first:<\/strong> Because every single Red Light subscriber is a cool person who deserves good things, we decided to work in a bonus Rules Court submission. If you\u2019re new to all this, here\u2019s how it works:<\/p>\n

The rule suggestion: If a guy is playing without a stick when his team ices the puck, he has to not only stay on the ice but also start the next shift without a stick. \u2014 Justin (and John, who sent a similar suggestion.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sean McIndoe:<\/strong> I\u2019ll admit, this feels like kind of an obscure situation, and I was surprised to see multiple submissions addressing it. But the people have spoken, so we\u2019ll consider it. And once we do, I can kind of see the case. A defensive player getting caught without a stick is kind of a neat, hockey-specific sort of moment \u2014 almost a random quasi-power play, often out of nowhere. Letting his team off the hook by allowing them to just ice the puck seems kind of cheap. Plus, I\u2019m pretty sure that the stickless player wouldn\u2019t know what to do with their hands while lining up for the draw. You know what, that last bit pushes it over the finish line for me, I\u2019m in. YES.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sean Gentille:<\/strong> Yeah, this is specific. Justin and John \u2014 if you\u2019re out there, email McIndoe the circumstances that prompted all this. I need to know. In any case, that\u2019s just too steep a penalty to pay for breaking your stick. A post-icing defensive zone start is fair. Anything more than that \u2026 eh. I\u2019ve been a downer in this court session. Too many nos. Still \u2026 NO.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shayna Goldman:<\/strong> Here\u2019s my problem with it. After an icing, players usually are racing to the bench for a change. So that would take away from the drama of the equipment staff having to dramatically get the players a fresh stick on the fly, which can lead to moments like this<\/a> and this<\/a>. I fear that this is too harsh a crime for icing the puck, and without that potential excitement factor, it just isn\u2019t worth it, sorry! NO.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A solid attempt by Justin and John, but in the end they lose a split decision. Did the rest of this week\u2019s submissions fare any better? Find out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What to Watch<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa Rangers @ Red Wings<\/strong>
7 p.m. ET on NHL Net \/ Sportsnet \/ TVAS<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an Original Six matchup!\u201d is what I\u2019m obligated to say when there isn\u2019t much else to recommend about a game. The Wings are jelling and being rewarded early on. The Rangers are not doing a ton of either of those things.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa Wild @ Islanders<\/strong>
7 p.m. ET on ESPN+<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s getting late early for the Wild, while the Islanders are Matthew Schaefer\u2019s team right in front of our eyes.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa Blackhawks @ Flames<\/strong>
9 p.m. ET on ESPN \/ SNW \/ TVAS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heading into the season, we all figured that one of these teams would be on the bubble and one would be hanging around dead last, and we were all right.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa Jets @ Sharks<\/strong>
10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ \/ TSN3<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is always a fun pairing, because we can all make \u201cWest Side Story\u201d jokes. If that\u2019s somehow not enough for you, this edition of the matchup is between a strong \u201cwin-now\u201d contender led by the league\u2019s best goalie and an up-and-coming team led by the league\u2019s best young star. But yeah, it\u2019s mainly about the music puns.<\/p>\n

Full NHL schedule here<\/a>. Try streaming games like these for free on Fubo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n (Ethan Miller \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

No Dumb Questions<\/p>\n

We believe that in hockey, as in life, there are no dumb questions.<\/strong> So if you have something you\u2019ve always wondered about the sport, ask away by emailing us at redlight@theathletic.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udde4 Should refs wear gloves?<\/p>\n

Why don\u2019t on-ice officials wear gloves? Don\u2019t their hands get cold? \u2014 Michael H.<\/strong><\/p>\n

See, this is the sort of question I love, because in roughly four decades of hockey fandom, it had never occurred to me. But it is a good question \u2014 so good, that I had to reach out to a former NHL official for an answer.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what Dave Jackson, who refereed in the NHL for nearly 30 years and is now ESPN\u2019s rules analyst, had to say when I asked him if officials\u2019 fingers ever get frosty:<\/p>\n

Ha ha ha, no, never, it is so hot out there on the ice. The only times guys might wear gloves is in the outdoor games if it\u2019s really cool, but the issue is it\u2019s tough to fit the finger whistle over gloves and there\u2019s a real lack of feel when you\u2019re trying to grip the puck and make sure it lands flat on the ice.<\/p>\n

Having said that, some guys have experimented with really thin cut-proof gloves for safety as opposed to warmth. I think in the future you might eventually see those type of gloves from a safety perspective but it certainly is not cold in NHL rinks.<\/p>\n

So there you go \u2026 NHL officials don\u2019t wear gloves because it\u2019s not that cold and it makes their jobs harder, but that doesn\u2019t mean you won\u2019t see it happen some day.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t ever let anyone say that I don\u2019t do real journalism.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f Trivia Answer<\/p>\n

\u200aApart from the Original Six teams, seven franchises can beat Ovechkin\u2019s 900 goals with their two top scorers.<\/strong> Those are:<\/p>\n