NHL Quarter Mark Shockers: Which Teams Are Surpassing Expectations—and Which Are Crashing Hard?
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Washington Capitals: C+
They’ve spent most of the season riding the roller coaster, including a 10-game stretch in which they went 2-6-2 and were outscored 34-25. Their finishing is spotty. Their special teams are sub-mediocre. Still, the Capitals’ strengths — high-end five-on-five play and Logan Thompson, primarily — have them where they should be: squarely in the playoff picture. — Sean Gentille
Winnipeg Jets: C
It would be disingenuous to publish a story called “The Winnipeg Jets are going to struggle. Don’t count them out when they do” to preview the season and then act shocked or appalled that the Presidents’ Trophy winners are just 12-11-0. Winnipeg is going to have to scratch and claw for a playoff spot this season, if it makes it that far. The Jets started to play better when Dylan Samberg, Adam Lowry and Cole Perfetti returned to the lineup, but they’re getting outchanced again and are losers of four straight. There’s a better team than we’re seeing, but Winnipeg’s problems — pace, structure, consistency and secondary scoring — are plentiful so far this season. — Murat Ates
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