2-on-1: Early Season Reactions

Every Monday during the season, two of our hockey writers will debate one topic. It's the 2-on-1. This week, Chris Botta and Kevin Schultz discuss the top stories of the young NHL season.

Kevin Schultz: Now that we're barely two weeks into the 2009-10 NHL season, I'd say it's about time for some early season reactions to what we've seen so far. Let's take a look at who has surprised -- both good and bad -- and who might actually be able to keep up their current scoring pace. How about we start with maybe not the biggest surprise but one of the biggest stats of the year so far: the Washington Capitals lighting up scoreboards like nobody's business.

Through five games the trio of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin have combined for 29 points in 5 games thus far. The first two are on pace for a ridiculous 164 points and Semin is on pace for 147. The most points in a season during the post-lockout era is 125 from Joe Thornton in 2005-06. Forget about keeping up this pace. Any chance these guys shatter Thornton's mark with, say, 140 points?

Chris Botta: We have already established that Ovechkin is a god. That said, I don't think he'll crack 125 points this season. In this day and age, getting more than 125 would be equal to Gretzky getting 175 in his era. Sorry, Kevin, but it's just tough for me to envision AO averaging more than 1.5 points a game. It's a good thing the Caps don't play Detroit much. Pavel Datsyuk was masterful on Ovechkin last night. Someone should produce a video of all of their shifts together. Brilliant stuff. Give PD the Selke today.

Kevin: who are Ovechkin's biggest rivals for the Ross? You see anyone other than the obvious?

Schultz: Other than the obvious? No. It's probably going to come down to some combination of AO, Malkin and Heatley/Thornton. This is nothing new to anyone, but with the addition of Heatley that Sharks offense should be scary good. So far, they are.

I know there's a large contingent of Islander fans following your every move, Chris. So here's a question for them. John Tavares has two goals and five points in his first three games. I'm going to put you on the spot. What will be his finishing line for the season?

Botta: I thought before the season that for John 24 goals and somewhere between 50-60 points made for a fair bar. Now that he has two goals and five points in just his first three games...I feel even better about my projections.

I think it would be reaching to suggest he'll blow 24 and 60 away. Then again, Butch Goring said on TV on Saturday night that Tavares would get more than 40 goals this season. You have to like Butchie's radar on this more than most. But it's tough to picture Tavares putting up that kind of production with not one established playmaking veteran on his wing. Sure would be terrific for the league and the franchise if he does, however.

Where are you now with Tavares? Got a prediction? And then talk about your other top rookies. Just don't forget about Ville Leino in Detroit - another guy any team in the league could have signed, but the Red Wings got him.

Schultz: Well, I wasn't bold enough to make any preseason projection on Johnny T, so I'll lay one out right now. I'm going with 28-29-57. I'd like to believe he'll get 30 goals, but I'm just not sure it will happen, especially given the slumps that a bad team can go through during the year. He's a great player but that may rub off a little.

You're right he doesn't have a whole lot around him, but he's been paired with Kyle Okposo and old friend Matt Moulson so far and that line has looked great. Moulson's not a rookie, but I'm especially impressed with how he's played so far.
Tavares' main competitor right now for the Calder might be across town. I'm not sure how 19 other teams passed on the Rangers' Michael Del Zotto two Junes ago, but he's been stellar thus far. Of course Leino should be in the mix and with the amount of playing time Victor Hedman is going to get in Tampa Bay -- averaging 26 mins/game through four games thus far -- he'll certainly be in the conversation as well.

Botta: I like Del Zotto. Wrote about him last Monday for FanHouse. Good kid with a great head on his shoulders. He got another point on Sunday in the Rangers' win against Anaheim, but I don't think he'll be in the final Calder mix. Hedman is a yes. Matt Duchene probably won't rack up enough points to be there. Leino's an older guy, but outstanding and he'll get some national facetime as the season progresses. That's why I like him.

Lightning round:

1) Will the Leafs ever get to .500? Not unless Kessel is back soon. They have no offense.

2) Make your pick - Calgary at Chicago on Monday night. My pick is Chicago. They didn't click but still got a shootout win on Saturday vs. Colorado. They'll put it together against the Flames.

3) Are the Rangers for real? If real is a lock playoff spot in the East, yes. Not ready to say they'll play for home ice.

4) Will the Canucks miss Daniel Sedin? For six weeks, they'll get by.

5) Top three fighters in the NHL? I'll go with Laraque, Godard and Orr.

Schultz: 1) The Leafs aren't much different than the team that finished 12th last year. They added two nice players on the blueline but until Kessel comes back and someone steps up in goal, they're not making the playoffs.

2) Calgary. I can't pick against a hot team (no pun intended).

3) The Rangers are a tough one. They shutout the Ducks tonight on home ice and are looking great. After everything that happened last year they were able to make the playoffs, so I'm going to buy them this year. I think Tortorella has been just what the doctor ordered.

4) Will Luongo find his groove? They'll be fine.

5) Brashear, Orr and Carcillo (the latter only because it's really entertaining to watch a Tasmanian Devil fight).