"The NHL could use some new contenders, and not just because the Stanley Cup Final had the same participants for two straight seasons. Fresh faces and burgeoning stars are intriguing. Teams on the rise bring renewed enthusiasm to the playoff races. Seeing teams that haven't been postseason participants crashing the playoff party is a blast. This season has a handful of teams seeking to break through into the playoffs."
""Well, I guess it's fun for you. It's not fun for me," joked Ducks GM Pat Verbeek, whose team has generated a lot of scoring chances but has also allowed its fair share. "Although sometimes chaos can go the right way." Can the Mammoth and Ducks sustain their early-season success? Here's a look at how they became breakout teams this season and whether they're destined for playoff berths or are just an early season tease that eventually fades from memory."
The Utah Mammoth and the Anaheim Ducks emerged as early-season breakout teams, occupying playoff positions in the Western Conference. The Mammoth are in their second season in Salt Lake City after relocating from Arizona, and the Ducks returned to contention after seven seasons outside the postseason. Both teams combine entertaining offense with defensive irregularities, creating high-event games that excite fans. The Ducks' general manager acknowledged chaotic play that can still produce wins. The teams' rapid ascents raise questions about sustainability as the season progresses and whether early success will translate into lasting playoff berths.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]