Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now we’re on to December. Soon, we’ll be enjoying the Winter Classic, the All-Star Break, and many more exciting things yet to come this season.
For now, though, we focus on week eight and the games played during it.
Let’s take a look at each NHL team and grade their performance this week as we get closer and closer to the holiday season.
Which teams got the highest grades in the NHL after week 8?
Anaheim Ducks Grade: C (Previous grade: A-)
It was a busy week for the Ducks as they played four games from Monday to Sunday. They ended up going 2-2-0, which isn’t terrible, but obviously, it could be a lot better. They started off the week with a home and home against Seattle, splitting the results. They then went back home and lost their Freeway Faceoff against the Kings 2-1. They ended their week with a 4-3 shootout win over Ottawa.
Boston Bruins Grade: C- (Previous grade: B+)
It wasn’t the worst week Boston has had this season, but it’s definitely not the kind of week they want to have if they’re going to dig themselves out of this hole. They went 2-2-0 across four games this week, beating the Islanders and the Canadiens by a score of 6-3. They would lose to the Penguins 2-1 and lose to the Canucks 2-0.
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Buffalo Sabres Grade: F (Previous grade: A)
As mentioned before, the Sabres have been very streaky, and this week has continued to prove that point. After a decent week last week, Buffalo went on to lose all of their games this week. They lost to the Wild 1-0, then lost to the Canucks 4-3 in OT. They would end their week with a 3-0 loss to the Islanders. With an overall record of 11-11-2, the Sabres are currently fifth in their division, three points behind the Bruins for the third-place spot.
Calgary Flames Grade: F (Previous grade: A+)
That may have been the worst week the Flames have had all season. Four games were played, and all four were losses. The streak started off with a 4-3 loss to the Senators. It was then followed up by a 2-1 OT loss to the Red Wings. That loss was then followed up with a 5-2 loss to the Blue Jackets, and then this NFL team ended their week with a brutal 6-2 loss to the Penguins. They’re definitely going to want some sort of rebound here in week nine.
Carolina Hurricanes Grade: C- (Previous grade: C)
The Hurricanes managed to start off the week pretty strong, getting back into the win column after back-to-back losses. They beat the Stars 6-4 and then followed that up with a 4-3 win over the Rangers. However, they then had a brutal home and home against the Panthers in which they lost 6-3 and 6-0, respectively. They start off week nine with a game against the Kraken and will be looking to use that to rebound.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NHL Teams’ After Week 7 Games Of The 2024 Season
Chicago Blackhawks Grade: D+ (Previous grade: C)
The Hawks could not have started off their week in a better way, beating the Stars 6-2. They followed that up with a fairly competitive 3-2 loss to the Wild. No shame there, really. However, they were then beaten by the Jackets 6-3 to end their week. The Hawks have managed to look somewhat competitive in most of their games, but that hasn’t translated into wins.
Colorado Avalanche Grade: D- (Previous grade: A+)
Every time it looks like the Avs are finally moving in the right direction, they have weeks like this. They went 1-3-0 this week, giving up 19 goals in those four games. They started off the week with a brutal 8-2 loss to the Lightning. They rebounded with a 2-1 shootout win over the Golden Knights; however, they would then lose to the Stars 5-3. They then ended their week with a 4-1 loss to the Oilers.
Columbus Blue Jackets Grade: B+ (Previous grade: A)
The week started off pretty poorly as they dropped an overtime game against the Canadiens. They managed to rebound quite nicely, though, beating the Flames 5-2 and then beating the Blackhawks 6-3 to end their week. This team now has a record of 11-9-3 and is currently in the NHL playoff race! What a story this could end up being for the Jackets if they don’t crash out.
Dallas Stars Grade: C- (Previous grade: B-)
The Stars certainly haven’t been as dominant as they were last season, but not every season can be the exact same, especially not in hockey. The Stars started off their week with two straight losses, losing to the Hurricanes 6-4 and to the Blackhawks 6-2. They did manage to salvage the week a bit, though, winning their next two. They beat the Avalanche 5-3 and then ended their week with a 3-1 win over the Jets.
Detroit Red Wings Grade: C+ (Previous grade: D-)
Seems like even when the Red Wings win, they’re barely scraping by. They had four games this week and managed to go 2-1-1, which is not a horrible week by any means. They would beat the Islanders 4-2, then follow that up with a 2-1 OT win over the Flames. They then lost 5-4 in OT against the Canucks and then ended the week with a 5-4 regulation loss to the Devils. However, five points out of a possible eight isn’t terrible.
Edmonton Oilers Grade: A (Previous grade: C)
The Oilers were one of the few NHL teams that only played two games this week. They managed to win both of them, beating the Rangers 6-2 and then beating Utah 4-3 in OT. I would like to say they’re finally catching their stride somewhat, but to be completely honest, this doesn’t look anything like the team that made it to the Finals last season. There are a lot of things to be worried about if you’re an Edmonton fan.
Florida Panthers Grade: A- (Previous grade: F)
After starting off their week by losing their fourth in a row, a 4-1 loss to the Capitals, the defending champs finally managed to turn it around in a pretty good way. They went on to beat the Maple Leafs 5-1, then dominated home and home against the Hurricanes, winning 6-3 and 6-0, respectively. This got them back on track and got them back in first place in the Atlantic division, although that could change very quickly.
Los Angeles Kings Grade: A- (Previous grade: C)
The Kings started off week eight in the absolute worst way possible, losing 7-2 to the Sharks of all NHL teams. After that, it seemed like a switch was flipped as they went on to win their next three. They beat the Jets 4-1 in a very impressive performance, won 2-1 against their freeway rivals the Ducks, then ended their week with a 5-2 win over the Senators. For all the bad things we’ve said about the Kings, they still have amassed a 14-8-3 record and are only two points out of the top spot in the Pacific.
Minnesota Wild Grade: A (Previous grade: B)
It was another solid week for this year’s biggest surprise, as the Wild went 3-1-0 in four games. They started off their week with a 4-1 loss to the Jets, only to rebound and beat the Sabres 1-0. They then went on to beat the Blackhawks 3-2 and then ended their week with a 3-2 OT win over the Predators. With a 16-4-4 record, the Wild not only has the number one spot in the Central but in the entire league. Who would’ve seen this coming?
Montreal Canadiens Grade: D- (Previous grade: C)
Outside of a 4-3 OT win over the Blue Jackets, it was yet another forgettable week for the Habs. They played three other games this week, losing to Utah 3-2 in OT, losing to the Rangers 4-3, and then losing to the Bruins 6-3. The Canadiens have only amassed 19 points in their 24 games played and are effectively in the bottom of the league. The improvements we were hoping to see have been nonexistent thus far for this NHL team.
Nashville Predators Grade: D- (Previous grade: C)
The only thing saving the Preds from an F grade this week is the fact that they got a point in three of their four games, even if they were all losses. They had three OT losses against the Flyers, Lightning, and Wild, all by a score of 3-2. Their one regulation loss was a 5-2 loss to the Devils at the beginning of the week. Points or not, they’re still on a four-game losing streak and continue to play themselves into a deeper and deeper hole.
New Jersey Devils Grade: C (Previous grade: A+)
It was kind of a meh week for the Devils this week. They played four games and went 2-2-0 across all four. They beat the Predators 5-2 and beat the Red Wings 5-4, but lost to the Blues 3-0 and lost to the Capitals 6-5. Despite this, they still hold first place in the Metropolitan division. The Capitals are only a point behind, though, and they have four games in hand.
New York Islanders Grade: D (Previous grade: Unchanged)
Another poor week from the Islanders, as they continue to watch that third straight playoff spot fleet away from them. They played four games this week and went 1-2-1. They started off their week with a 4-2 loss to the Red Wings. They then followed that up with two more losses, a 6-3 loss to the Bruins and a 5-4 OT loss to the Capitals. This NFL team then ended their week with a 3-0 win over the Sabres.
New York Rangers Grade: F (Previous grade: D-)
The Rangers’ losing ways would continue this week, as they would lose three of their four games. They lost 5-2 to the Blues, 4-3 to the Hurricanes, and 3-1 to the Flyers, bringing their losing streak to five before they finally snapped it with a 4-3 win over the Habs to end their week. They will desperately want a better week in week nine, but we will see if they can actually pull it off.
Ottawa Senators Grade: C (Previous grade: F)
The Senators week started off decently enough, winning two straight. They beat the Flames 4-3 and then went on to beat the Sharks by the same score to start off their California road trip. That’s where their positives end, though, as this NFL team went on to lose the remaining two games of the week, losing 5-2 to the Kings and then losing 4-3 in a shootout against the Ducks.
Philadelphia Flyers Grade: A (Previous grade: D+)
The Flyers had a terrific Thanksgiving week, going 3-0-1 in four games while getting at least a point in all four. They started off the week with a 5-4 shootout loss to the Knights. That would be their only loss of the week as they went on to beat the Predators 3-2 in OT, beat the Rangers 3-1, and then beat the Blues 3-2 in OT. The Flyers are now 12-10-3 and are six points outside of a top-three spot in the division.
Pittsburgh Penguins Grade: A (Previous grade: F)
To put it lightly, the Penguins desperately needed a good week if they wanted to keep any semblance of respect. They managed to do that, winning all three of their games this week. They beat the Canucks 5-4 to start the week, then went on to beat the Bruins 2-1. They then ended their week with a 6-2 win over the Flames. It’s the best week they’ve had since the season began, and they desperately want to keep that momentum going.
San Jose Sharks Grade: A (Previous grade: D-)
The Sharks have already managed to get more good weeks under their belt in the last couple of months than they did the entirety of last season. They’re so much more fun to watch, too. They started off their week by embarrassing the Kings in a 7-2 rout. They would then lose to the Senators 4-3. They didn’t stay down for long, though, as they would go on to sweep home and home with the Kraken, beating them 4-2 and 8-5.
Seattle Kraken Grade: D- (Previous grade: C-)
The Kraken played four games this week, including two home games against the Ducks and Sharks. They started off their week with a 4-2 win over the Ducks, but everything went downhill from there. They lost to the Ducks 5-2 and to the Sharks twice by scores of 8-5 and 4-2, respectively. They’re now back under .500 with a record of 11-13-1.
St Louis Blues Grade: A- (Previous grade: D)
The Blues played three games this week and won two of them but got a point in all three. They beat the Rangers 5-2 and beat the Devils 3-0, then ended their week on a 3-2 OT loss to the Flyers. This makes their record 2-0-1 since Jim Montgomery took over. I don’t think it’s time to start popping champagne yet though, there’s still a long way to go for this NHL team.
Tampa Bay Lightning Grade: C (Previous grade: D+)
While it was certainly an improvement from last week, it still wasn’t the best week they could’ve possibly had. They had four games this week, going 2-2-0. They beat the Avalanche 8-2 but would go on to lose their next game to the Capitals 5-4. They rebounded with a 3-2 OT win over the Predators but then ended their week with a 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.
Toronto Maple Leafs Grade: C (Previous grade: A+)
The Leafs only played two games this week, which put them in the minority as most teams played three or more. They would split the results of those two games. They lost to the Panthers 5-1, which gave Florida the lead in their division back. However, they were able to end their week on a win, beating the Lightning 5-3.
Utah Hockey Club Grade: B+ (Previous grade: D-)
Utah may have had their best week in a while, managing to win two of their three games this week but getting at least a point in all three. They started off the week with a 3-2 OT win over the Canadiens. They then lost 4-3 in OT to the Oilers. However, they ended their week with a spectacular 6-0 win over the Golden Knights. However, celebrations will have to wait. They still have a lot of ground to cover in their division.
Vancouver Canucks Grade: A- (Previous grade: C)
Honestly, the 5-4 loss to the Penguins is the only thing keeping Vancouver from an A+ week this week. Outside that one loss, they would win their other three games. They would beat the Bruins 2-0, beat the Sabres 4-3 in OT, and end their week with a 5-4 OT win over the Red Wings. Despite being competitive with NHL teams, they probably shouldn’t be, and a three-win week is still a three-win week.
Vegas Golden Knights Grade: C- (Previous grade: A-)
It was a middle-of-the-pack week for the Knights. They didn’t lose their first-place spot, but they’re not far off of that either. They started off their week with a 5-4 shootout win over the Flyers. They then lost to the Avalanche 2-1 in a shootout. They rebounded with a 4-3 win over the Jets but would end their week on a very low note, losing 6-0 to Utah. While a 2-1-1 week isn’t horrible by any means, you definitely expect more from what we’re seeing from Vegas.
Washington Capitals Grade: A+ (Previous grade: D+)
The Capitals wanted a rebound from a disappointing week in week seven, and they got it in week eight, winning all four of their games. They beat the Panthers 4-1, beat the Lightning 5-4, beat the Islanders 5-4 in OT, and then ended their week with a 6-5 win over the Devils. They’re now only one point behind the Devils for the first-place spot in the Metro division, but they’ve played four fewer games.
Winnipeg Jets Grade: D- (Previous grade: B)
They started off their week alright enough, beating the Wild 4-1. That would be the high point of their week, as they went on to lose their next three. They lost to the Kings 4-1, lost to the Golden Knights 4-3, and then ended their week with a 3-1 loss to the Stars. After starting 15-1-0, the Jets are now 18-7-0 and have given up their first-place spot in the division to the Wild.
Also Read: Power Ranking All 32 NHL Teams After Week 8 Games
