The Vegas Golden Knights picked up right where they left off after winning the Stanley Cup. The Boston Bruins found their touch after an early elimination last spring. The Colorado Avalanche find a way to win without playing their best hockey.
All three teams are undefeated since the start of the season, making NHL history. For the first time in the history of the circuit, three teams began their campaign by winning at least their first six games.
The Golden Knights have already set a new mark for the defending champions, winning their first seven games. They are ahead of their rivals in their bid to break the NHL record of 10 straight wins to start the season. This mark was set by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1993-94, then matched by the Buffalo Sabers in 2006-07.
The Nevada club scored two goals in the last eight minutes of play to overthrow the Philadelphia Flyers and win 2-1 on Tuesday.
“First of all, we have a talented group,” noted coach Bruce Cassidy when asked about his team’s good start. We count on different players who can help us win. This is probably the simplest answer. We have a lot of good players who can cause damage offensively. »
It’s the same thing for the Bruins, despite the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. After defeating Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks to improve to 6-0-0, coach Jim Montgomery said he was starting to see his group defining its identity.
“You can see us becoming a hard-working team and I think that’s what we’re going to have to become,” Montgomery said after the Bruins won their first six games of a season for the second time in their history and a first time since 1937-38.
In the Avalanche camp, coach Jared Bednar remains cautious. Yes, his team won a sixth straight game by beating the New York Islanders 7-4 on Tuesday, but he’s not satisfied with his team’s play even though they shattered an NHL record with a 15th victory in a row abroad, including the end of the last campaign.
“We’re lucky to be 6-0,” Bednar insisted. The guys are aware of the situation. We are always trying to improve. »
One aspect that does not need improvement is the play of goalkeeper Alexandar Georgiev. He leads the NHL with six wins and has a 1.98 GAA and .930 save percentage.
The Avalanche began the season among the favorite teams to win top honors. Georgiev’s play could prove decisive.
