Rookies are a part of why scoring is up this season, and it’s not always for the right reasons
Over the first nine days of the NHL season, teams are averaging 3.05 goals per game, according to hockeyreference.com. If that rate holds, it would mark the first time teams have climbed above three goals per game since 2005-06.
Here are theories why scoring is up in the early going: Youth movement: Sixty-eight rookies have played this season. That’s 10.3 per cent of all players.
After watching the Pittsburgh Penguins soar in last spring’s playoffs, teams aimed to replicate them in being younger and faster. Skilful youngsters, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner or the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski, boast elite scoring touches and quicken the game’s pace.
But less experienced players make mistakes, and mistakes lead to goals.
World Cup bump: Stars are playing with mid-season sharpness because they were competing at a high level in September at the World Cup of Hockey. Look at Brent Burns, Brad Marchand — the two entered Saturday tied for the NHL scoring lead — Joe Pavelski, Connor McDavid and Matthews, among others.
Struggling goalies: Jonathan Quick suffered a long-term injury, and Carey Price missed time with illness. Brian Elliott has slumped early in Calgary. Ben Bishop and Martin Jones are still searching for last season’s level. The league save percentage of .903 is well below the .915 average of the past two seasons.
More power plays: Teams are averaging 3.68 opportunities per game. Last season, it was 3.11. We haven’t seen this level of penalty frequency since 2009-10. Are referees calling the game tighter, or are players fouling more because they are scrambling to keep up?