It’s starting to get late early for many Stanley Cup hopefuls as December begins.
We’re just one month away from 2024 — which is, unfortunately, a real year — and we’re already starting to see major trends set in as the NHL season rolls along. Some teams, such as the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks, have surprised with early hot starts, leading many to believe they’ll be playoff contenders come spring.
And yet, for some teams, slow starts to the 2023-24 season may end up derailing hopes for a long playoff run. We’ve already talked about teams like the Edmonton Oilers, who continue to stagnate in a quagmire of their own making, so far this year. But a team like the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are in the final years of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang’s careers, are treading water even after big offseason acquisitions put them in a position to succeed.
Obviously, the season isn’t over quite yet, but it’s fair to start getting worried if you’re a Penguins or Oilers fan — not to mention the Calgary Flames or New Jersey Devils either. As for the rest of the NHL, here’s how we see things shaping up for the final month of the year in our December 2023 power rankings.