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3 NHL teams that exceeded expectations in 2022-23

By Marci Rubin

Jan 19, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers (10) and New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) face-off during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers (10) and New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) face-off during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) and defenseman Alexander Romanov (28) celebrate their victory against the Carolina Hurricanes in game five of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) and defenseman Alexander Romanov (28) celebrate their victory against the Carolina Hurricanes in game five of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2022-23 NHL season was a wild ride. Several teams exceeded expectations and surprised hockey fans with a thrilling year.

In any NHL season, there are predictions and expectations for how teams will do based on the prior regular season, the previous Stanley Cup Playoffs, the current roster, and the coaching staff. Some teams exceed the hockey community’s expectations, and some teams fall short. Some teams outshine regular season expectations only to fall flat in the playoffs.

It’s worth noting that the Boston Bruins surpassed regular season expectations but fell short of playoff expectations, which kept them off this list. Expectations early in the season were mixed due to injuries. The Bruins had a magical year, setting an NHL record with 65 wins in one season. However, due to the stellar regular season, playoff expectations were high, and their shocking first-round exit in the playoffs was majorly disappointing.

There are four teams remaining in the Stanley Cup Playoffs: the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, and Vegas Golden Knights. As the offseason approaches, it’s time to look back on an incredible year. Here are three teams that exceeded expectations in the 2022-23 season.

NHL teams that exceeded expectations: 3. New York Islanders (42-31-9)

The New York Islanders fought their way into the playoff picture in the crowded Eastern Conference. Expectations for the Islanders were low coming into the 2022-23 season. CBS Sports ranked the Islanders 28th in their power rankings at the beginning of the season. After the Isles failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2021-22 season, it was a bit surprising that not a lot of offseason moves were made. However, the Isles did make a coaching change, promoting Lane Lambert to head coach.

Many players stood out during the season. Brock Nelson had 75 points, his highest season point total during his 10 years in the NHL. Bo Horvat scored 38 goals, although most of them were with the Canucks prior to being traded. It will be exciting to see how he does in a full season with the Isles, especially following an eight-year contract extension.

Mathew Barzal missed the last two months of the regular season but racked up 51 points prior to his injury. Captain Anders Lee scored 28 goals, and veteran Zach Parise contributed 21 goals. Winning 31 games this season, goalie Ilya Sorokin had a .924 SV%. Sorokin is a nominee for the Vezina Trophy, the award for top goaltender of the year. Defenseman Ryan Pulock posted 140 hits and 128 blocks, also contributing to the offense with 21 assists. Alexander Romanov proved he’s a physical and reliable defenseman.

Lane Lambert drew criticism in his first season as an NHL head coach, especially when the team had a brutal January, but he was in a tough situation. He lost many players to injuries, such as Mathew Barzal, Kyle Palmieri, and Cal Clutterbuck. But injuries are par for the course, and a team needs to find a way to fight back. The Isles did fight back and squeaked past the Pittsburgh Penguins to grab a wild card spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

During the playoffs, the Islanders had a tough Round 1 matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes who won the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders pushed the series to six games, fighting off elimination with a gutsy 3-2 win in Game 5. They ultimately fell in overtime in Game 6. The Canes went on to defeat the New Jersey Devils in Round 2, and are currently playing the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Islanders are an older team, so bringing in some younger guys could be crucial in remaining competitive in the coming years. Jon Lane of nhl.com reported that Ryan Pulock doesn’t think the team needs to make many changes during the offseason. Lane believes that the Islanders “could be facing a reload in lieu of a rebuild, whether the players come through the system or through free agency and trades.” The Isles don’t have many high-ranking prospects banging down the door. They sent their top prospect to the Canucks in the Bo Horvat trade this past winter. Their current top prospect is William Dufour, a forward known as a sharp-shooter.

If they add a few more pieces to the puzzle, the Isles should make another playoff push next season. Considering they’re in a division with the Carolina Hurricanes, the New Jersey Devils, and the New York Rangers, who all are in a position to have another strong season, the Isles have a tough hill to climb in the standings. If they don’t bring in a few more pieces, the aging team could be treading water. Considering they exceeded low expectations for the 2022-23 season, though, the New York Islanders just might surprise us again in 2023-24.

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