We’re only a couple games into the season and we’ve been able to identify some players who are off to hot starts and some that are already going chilly. Normally we’ll give three forwards, two defensemen and two goaltenders on each side of the fence. Let’s take a look and see who’s already setting the ice on fire with Marian Hossa leading the way.
Hot Forwards
Marian Hossa of Chicago has four goals in his first two games and is tied with Thomas Vanek of Buffalo for the league lead in points with five. Hossa gets the nod over Vanek since Hossa did it in two games while Vanek had just one killer game.
Vladimir Tarasenko of the Blues has torn it up with three goals and two assists to get to the five-point plateau. The rookie made the team on the final cut and that was definitely the right decision.
Daniel Winnik of the Ducks is the player least likely to be here but it’s hard to knock four goals in his first two games. The Ducks have been hot with 12 scores in their first two outings and a 2-0 start.
Cold Forwards
It’s difficult to say who’s gone cold since we’re only a game or two into the season for most teams. Look for more in this spot next Tuesday.
Hot Defensemen
Kevin Shattenkirk of the Blues already has four assists, three of them coming on the power play, in his first two games. He looks to be a lock on the blue line on the man advantage so make sure to get him in the lineup when the Blues take the ice.
Erik Karlsson of the Senators started off with a three-point game against the Jets and is sitting at a +3 rating through two games. That’s the kind of start any defenseman would love to have.
Cold Defensemen
Just like with the forwards, a couple of games isn’t much data to determine if someone has really gone cold.
Hot Goalies
Ryan Miller of Buffalo is off to a hot start. Miller has put up two wins in two days, allowing just three goals in the process. He came close to a shutout last night against Toronto, giving up a goal in the last two minutes. Johnas Enroth will spell him sometime this week but Miller is the go-to guy in Buffalo this season.
Craig Anderson of Ottawa is also a two-game winner on the young season. He’s allowed just one goal on 59 shots so far. He’s definitely a hot hand in the early going so saddle up and give him a ride to victory.
Cold Goalies
Two games is certainly enough to identify a pair of struggling goaltenders.
Mike Smith of Phoenix was projected to be a top-five goaltender but has fallen on his nose through two games. Smith is 0-2 with a .825 save percentage and a 5.05 GAA. That GAA makes his owners want to GAG and he could be a buy-low candidate if someone is getting frustrated early on with the Coyote goalie.
Henrik Lundqvist of the Rangers isn’t doing much better. He’s also 0-2 with a 4.75 GAA and an .865 save percentage for the Broadway Blueshirts. Hopefully the Rangers can get it turned around quickly to avoid an 0-3 start and keep Lundqvist at the top of the goaltender ranks.
Leave comments below and let us know if you agree with our thoughts on this premier Hot and Cold report of 2013.
