After an extended Christmas pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Hockey League (NHL) season is officially back underway. Following the resumption of games on Tuesday, Dec. 28, teams like the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers have returned to play following extended pauses in their schedules. Even as teams are dealing with the aftermath of outbreaks after Christmas, several players from before the pause are starting to return as well.

With the season back in session, it can be viewed as a fresh start for several clubs. Teams that struggled before the break had a chance to regroup and get players back in the mix. Also, teams that were in strong positions despite missing key pieces can get healthy and move higher up the ranks. As the NHL enters the new year, what are some of the teams to watch entering 2022?

New York Islanders

The first of our NHL teams to watch is the New York Islanders. For the Isles, it has been a cursed season. Despite the high expectations after two years of final four appearances, not a lot has gone right for New York thus far. Some of the few positives the team has seen are Oliver Wahlstrom having a breakout year, Noah Dobson making strides in development, and Ilya Sorokin carrying the load in net with Semyon Varlamov’s struggles. The likes of Mat Barzal and Brock Nelson have contributed regularly, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau has rounded back into form after a sluggish start. However, several names have regressed thus far, including Kyle Palmieri, Anthony Beauvillier, and Josh Bailey. Also, head coach Barry Trotz has made some questionable coaching decisions as well, limiting the minutes on Wahlstrom for struggling veterans like Bailey.

However, there are also the issues of factors out of their control. Nelson and Ryan Pulock have each suffered long-term injuries, and both are key pieces to their success. Also, the issues of COVID-19 have appeared throughout the season. November saw eight players go out at a point, notably including Pelech and captain Anders Lee. Also, the post-Christmas testing has seen five more positives, including Nelson and Wahlstrom. Even as the Islanders have tried to play around these issues, it’s not easy for most teams to survive. Although the team will endure these issues for a little bit longer, how they survive this upcoming stretch will be crucial for a season potentially on life support.

Calgary Flames

One of the many surprises of this season has been the Calgary Flames. The team currently sits at a 15-7-6 record with 36 points, along with five games in hand on the Pacific-leading Golden Knights. Andrew Mangiapane has enjoyed a breakout year in the forward group, Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk have played well, and Johnny Gaudreau has enjoyed a bounce-back season. Jacob Markstrom has also played up to his contract after a setback in 2021. However, the large majority of their roster came down with COVID-19 in the middle of December, knocking them out until Dec. 30. As the team resumes play, their roster is back to full strength as they take on the Seattle Kraken tonight.

It will be very telling how Calgary responds following their pause. There is an expectation that there will be some rust in the first games back, but how they respond is key for their future. The last few years have been filled with disappointments, be it with early playoff exits or missing the playoffs entirely. However, if Calgary wants to prove that this year is different, coming back out of the gates swinging can add to their early statement thus far. As a result, with their position in the NHL standings and prior track record, Calgary is one of the teams to watch as they get healthy again.

Florida Panthers

The last of our NHL teams to watch is another powerhouse in the Florida Panthers, Like the Flames, the Panthers have once again had an outstanding start to their season. After last year’s strong season, the team went on a 10-0-1 run to begin the season, helping them to the three seed in the Atlantic as of today. While a lot of their success is due to the talents of Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, their depth has once again stepped up. The likes of Carter Verhaeghe, Anthony Duclair, and Sam Bennett have carried the depth scoring, as has newcomer Sam Reinhart. Their defense is once again stingy with McKenzie Weegar and Aaron Ekblad playing strong hockey as well. Spencer Knight is still fairly raw in net, but Sergei Bobrovsky has returned to his elite form, posting a 12-3-2 record with a 2.47 goals-against average.

However, the team has also endured its share of problems off the ice. Much like the Flames, the team has had its share of COVID issues before and after Christmas. Before Christmas, seven players, including Bennett and Verhaeghe, were on the list, and four additional players, including Huberdeau, were added after the break. Although all hands were available for Wednesday’s game against the Rangers, it’s worth monitoring how they get back to game speed. Also, after the Panthers named Andrew Brunette interim head coach, the team maintained its impressive run of form, and how he gets his team back into form will be paramount for their future success.

Even as the league resumes play, there are several question marks moving forward. The league modified its COVID protocols, shortening the quarantine requirement to five days, a move received with mixed reactions. Several players have also gone into protocol following Christmas, as teams like the Dallas Stars and the Toronto Maple Leafs are still short most of their roster. However, for those that are able to play, this restart has the potential to be a fresh start as 2022 begins. Some of the struggling teams can find a way to revive their seasons, and the elite can find ways to further prove their dominance. As the season gets back underway, it’ll be fun to watch how the landscape changes before the push to the playoffs.

Matthew Page

I am a first year student at Hofstra University and an avid Islanders fan. I have been writing for Drive4Five since March 2020. My family has been season ticket holders for the team since 2016, and hockey is my favorite sport. As I expand my knowledge in the field of Journalism, I am writing to express my love for the Islanders and the NHL.