NHL Off the Post: October 27th

As we get deeper into the opening stages of the NHL season, here's a look at some news and notes from around the league to assist with your daily hockey handicapping.

It looked like Calgary was headed for another long season after a miserable start to the campaign, but the Flames are suddenly playing some of their best hockey in recent memory. They've won four straight games following Monday's impressive 5-2 victory over Toronto, with youngster Matvei Gridin leading the way with two goals and an assist. Devin Cooley turned aside 26 shots as Calgary continued to show signs of life after struggling to generate much momentum early on. While the Flames are still sitting near the bottom of the Pacific Division, this recent run suggests they're not quite ready to throw in the towel. Of course, it's important not to get carried away with a four-game winning streak, particularly when dealing with a team that has struggled so badly defensively. Still, Calgary is worth keeping an eye on as long as the price remains reasonable. The bigger question is whether the Flames can maintain this level of play once the schedule gets tougher. 

The Rangers were nearly unbeatable at Madison Square Garden to start the season, but that home-ice advantage took a serious hit Monday night. Los Angeles rolled into New York and handed the Blueshirts a convincing 6-3 defeat, ending their season-opening six-game home winning streak. The bigger concern is that New York has now dropped three straight games while allowing 18 goals during that stretch. That's not exactly the defensive profile you want to see from a team that was optimistic that it could compete in the Eastern Conference. The goaltending situation, without Igor Shesterkin for the season, is also worth monitoring after James Reimer was pulled in his Rangers debut, allowing three goals on just eight shots before Dylan Garand took over. New York still has enough offensive talent to put up goals in bunches, but until it gets things sorted out defensively, backing the Rangers at a premium price is going to be difficult to justify. The home record remains impressive, but the recent slide is a reminder that early-season trends can change in a hurry. 

Oil change

Edmonton continues to look like one of the more dangerous offensive teams in the league, but Monday's shootout loss to Detroit was a reminder that even the best teams can be vulnerable when games get tight. The Oilers fell 4-3 after surrendering a late tying goal to Dylan Larkin before rookie goaltender Michal Postava stopped all three Edmonton attempts in the shootout. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were unable to find a way past Postava in the deciding frame, while Detroit came away with an impressive road victory. Despite the setback, Edmonton remains near the top of the Pacific Division with an 8-2-2 record and has been scoring at an excellent clip. The concern, as usual, is whether the defensive play and goaltending will hold up when the games matter most. Zach Hyman also left Monday's contest after hitting his head against the glass, so his status is worth watching before considering Edmonton in its next outing. The Oilers remain capable of beating anyone, but you have be careful about paying too much for a team that can still be vulnerable defensively. 

Devils in the details

New Jersey has made a major move between the pipes by acquiring Connor Hellebuyck from Winnipeg, and the Devils are hoping the veteran netminder can help turn them into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Hellebuyck has indicated he's ready to play and could make his debut during the club's current road trip, which includes matchups against Dallas, Colorado and Vegas. That's hardly the easiest way to ease into a new situation, but his arrival could have a significant impact on New Jersey's outlook moving forward. The Devils have been competitive early in the season, but adding a proven goaltender gives them a much-needed boost at the most important position on the ice. From a handicapping standpoint, the key will be determining how quickly Hellebuyck settles in with his new teammates and whether the market immediately overvalues New Jersey following the acquisition. A goaltender of his caliber can make a substantial difference, but chemistry and defensive structure still matter. I'd be inclined to give the Devils a little time to establish themselves before automatically treating them as one of the league's elite teams.

Defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina continues to look like one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference, sitting atop the Metropolitan Division with a 9-2-2 record after a strong opening stretch. The Hurricanes have been getting contributions throughout the lineup, and the recent return of Taylor Hall gives them another experienced forward to work with as they look to maintain their early momentum. Carolina's balanced attack and ability to pressure opponents make it a difficult team to face, particularly when it gets its forecheck going and forces mistakes in the defensive zone. The challenge from a betting standpoint is that the Hurricanes are unlikely to fly under the radar for long, meaning the value will often depend on the price rather than simply backing the team because it's winning. Their road record has been particularly impressive, and that's a trend worth keeping in mind when evaluating upcoming matchups. With the season still in its early stages, there will inevitably be some regression along the way, but Carolina has done enough to establish itself as a legitimate contender. The trick will be identifying the right spots to back the Hurricanes rather than blindly riding their hot streak.