"Every NHL season, there are hot starts and budding trends that feel like their set in concrete early on but are shattered into dust by the time the Stanley Cup playoffs start. Conversely, there are early-season developments that end up being harbingers for the rest of the campaign."
"After a 33-goal season, Geekie was one of the most preeminent regression candidates in NHL preseason predictions, with some expecting him to top out at around 26 goals. As it stands, he should surpass that total by the end of December. Through 30 games, Geekie has 22 goals. It took him until March 6 last season before scoring his 22nd goal. Geekie's shooting percentage (27.5%) is actually higher than his seemingly unfathomable average from last season -- 22%, after a previous career high of 13.1%."
"If there's progress to report with the Sabres, it's that there's finally good news to balance out the usual bad news ... but there's still bad news. Through 28 games, Buffalo was tied for ninth in goals per 60 minutes (2.78) at 5-on-5. Unfortunately, they were last in the NHL in goals against at even strength (3.06). Their penalty kill? Absolutely sick, leading the league in efficiency (87.2%) entering Monday night."
Morgan Geekie has accelerated his scoring pace, compiling 22 goals through 30 games and on track to exceed preseason expectations. His shooting percentage (27.5%) surpasses last season's unusually high mark and he has produced even without David Pastrnak for several games. The Boston offense has leaned on Geekie's scoring to drive results. The Buffalo Sabres present a mixed profile: a top-tier penalty kill (87.2%) and respectable 5-on-5 goals per 60, paired with the NHL's worst even-strength goals against (3.06). The Sabres display simultaneous progress and persistent defensive vulnerability.
Read at ESPN.com
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