Every year, there’s always a group of players who stun everyone and exceed expectations, and there’s the players who let everyone down by not meeting expectations.
This NHL season has been one of the most entertaining seasons in the past few years as the skill throughout the league has reached what seems to be an all-time high. Following Monday night’s action, 23 players have reached the 30-goal mark this season, with another four on the doorstep with 29 goals.
Here are 7 players who exceeded expectations and scored 30 goals in a season for the first time in their NHL career.
Jonathan Marchessault
The 26-year-old entered the 2016-17 NHL season with 8 career goals and is exiting it with a lot more. Marchessault found the back of the net on Monday night, giving him 30 goals on the season. Not bad for a guy who was living out of hotels last year.
Patrick Eaves
Eaves has never been known as a goal scorer throughout his NHL career, but the 32-year-old decided to switch things up this year. After scoring 21 goals in 59 games with the Dallas Stars, Eaves was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks at the deadline and has picked up 9 goals in 17 games since the move.
Anders Lee
Lee had a very promising 2014-15 campaign when he scored 25 goals in 76 games. However, the following year he only scored 15 goals and saw a decrease in his point production, making it seem like the 2014-15 campaign was a fluke. However, Lee came out firing this season and has 31 goals in 77 games.
Rickard Rakell
There’s been a lot of hype following Rickard Rakell since he was drafted back in 2011, but it seems like the 23-year-old has finally found his feet in the NHL. Entering the season with 29 goals in 165 games, Rakell has found the back of the net 32 times in 68 games this year.
David Pastrnak
After experiencing a decrease in production last season, Pastrnak found himself in the AHL with the Providence Bruins trying to get his game back. The demotion seemed to light a spark, as he went on to have a better second-half of the season. However, things changed this offseason and Pastrnak entered the season looking like a new man. This year, the 20-year-old winger has scored 32 goals in 72 games after scoring just 25 in his previous 97 games.
T.J. Oshie
A lot of people know Oshie for his heroics at the Olympics, but the 30-year-old has transformed his game since joining the Washington Capitals last season. Entering last season, Oshie hit the 20-goal mark just once in seven seasons with the St. Louis Blues. In his first season with Washington, Oshie lit the lamp 26 times and has followed that up with 33 goals this year.
Nazem Kadri
Kadri finally has the proper help in Toronto to make him the top 6 forward he was expected to be. After leading the team in scoring with 45 points last year, Kadri has gone above and beyond this year, scoring 31 goals in 78 games and totaling 60 points.
