Quarter Way Mark: Surprises/Disappointments?

[TheGriceBoys]

Surprises? As far as teams go, it's the Sabres and the Avalanche. Also a little surprised Pens and Golden Knights are down the standings a bit. Players? Duchene and Thomas Chabot have no business begin as high as the are on the scoring leaders chart playing in Ottawa. Of course Jeff Skinner is turning heads as well with mini career renaissance of sorts.

Disappointments? Obviously I'm bummed about my Kings, but not surprised either. Players? Kopitar, Benn, Barkov are all guys I thought would be up a little higher the list, especially Kopitar after being a Hart finalist. guess that just shows, as he goes, so do the Kings.

 

[JR]

Big Save Dave for MVP.

 

[gomaz]

Pretty much agree with everything you said here. Will add that the Sabres are the biggest surprise and happy to see their success thus far and hope HI's Sabre fan contingent is enjoying the heck out of this!

Oil aren't really a disappointment and their mediocrity is exactly where I expected them to be with their garbage management and 2 player roster.

Was surprised it took Laine this long to get atop the goal scoring leaders. But he's there and chants of "Laine's better" ring true again. You can't be better than him if you don't even play.

Was nice to see the Nucks start as strong as they did in the post-Sedin era (they can finally progress through a rebuild) but they are now right where they were expected to be. If I was a Nucks fan, this is the most excited I'd have been in the last 10 years. Horvat, Virtanen, Boeser, Pettersson.....the future seems bright in Vancouver.

Flames are exactly where i picked them to be. Dominant scoring most games, and with Rittich usurping Smith as teh #1, things seem just fine for the Flames and the inter-provincial rivalry with the SpOil sees the Flames looking in the rearview mirror at The Edmonton McSaitls.

And I'm a little surprised to see the Habs with the record they have. But Price has been outstanding most games and Domi is making that trade look like a huge win. Galchenwho?

 

[BlindThomen]

I'm surprised there's over 35 guys who have an average of more than a point per game.

- Sauli

 

[will-411]

Buffalo is a surprise in so much as a comparison to past years. I think from a talent perspective though, the chance that this might happen was there. It will be fun to see what they can sustain for the remainder of the season.

Some great early season starts by some unexpected players. As a Leaf fan, I'm happy to see Morgan Reilly's start to the season, but I don't expect he'll maintain that point per game pace, nor will Thomas Chabot.

Another Leaf moment - Andersen had a great start to the season, whcih was a surprise in that he's been very mediocre in past Octobers.

On that point of 35 players averaging a point per game, I wonder how much that has to do with a change in the goaltender equipment. I don't have hard stats, but man, it seems like there are a lot of pucks squeaking through squared up tenders this year.

Cory

 

[gobuffalo2331]

Jeremy if you were referring to me then yes I'm enjoying it lol. Enjoying it now while it's going good because we all know how that can change with one injury. I can only hope they keep it going. Can't imagine them staying this hot but hope they can at least get to the playoffs for a change.

As far as other surprises, the only one I got is the Blues being in the basement. Yea it's a long season and a lot can change but who would of thought they'd be in last right now.

The other teams mentioned don't really surprise me. Pens have had injury issues, Vegas was a shocker last year and I didn't think they'd maintain the same thing this year since other teams are well aware of what they're about. Kings are getting old and slow, they were so good for so many years so not surprised they're heading towards a rebuild. Been fun year to watch so far, hopefully it keeps up. Most of the league has been very competitive so far.

 

[TheGriceBoys]

Kings are getting old and slow.

Kings average age is 28.7 year old. Sign of the times, the NHL is now a young mans game. You would never have heard 29 as “old” in the 80s or 90s. Now I feel old. Ha

 

[gobuffalo2331]

Kings average age is 28.7 year old. Sign of the times, the NHL is now a young mans game. You would never have heard 29 as “old” in the 80s or 90s. Now I feel old. Ha

So very very true. At least you enjoyed Cup runs and many playoff runs over the last decade.

 

[geschrocks33]

:sabres:


I haven't heard our arena as loud as it's been in years. Everyone is talking about the Sabres again, and everyone is excited. They are back to being a team that is finding ways to win. Comebacks, late goals, OT wins, shootout wins, they are just pulling stuff out of nowhere to climb the standings. It's fun to be a fan again.


Also, not sure this is a "surprise" but the fact that the Avs top line of Rantanen/Mackinnon/Landeskog is lighting it up is impressive. I expected them to be good again but I don't think many people would've predicted Mikko Rantanen to be leading the league in points at the quarter way mark.


Negative surprises:

The Blues I think someone mentioned above, I don't think anyone really expected them to be that bad.

Penguins - But they are the Penguins. Any time with Sid and Geno on the team, that can be turned around quickly.



Also another observation, surprised how close things have been so far. First to last in the Metropolitan division is separated by only 8 points.

 

[gobuffalo2331]

:sabres:


I haven't heard our arena as loud as it's been in years. Everyone is talking about the Sabres again, and everyone is excited. They are back to being a team that is finding ways to win. Comebacks, late goals, OT wins, shootout wins, they are just pulling stuff out of nowhere to climb the standings. It's fun to be a fan again.


Also, not sure this is a "surprise" but the fact that the Avs top line of Rantanen/Mackinnon/Landeskog is lighting it up is impressive. I expected them to be good again but I don't think many people would've predicted Mikko Rantanen to be leading the league in points at the quarter way mark.


Negative surprises:

The Blues I think someone mentioned above, I don't think anyone really expected them to be that bad.

Penguins - But they are the Penguins. Any time with Sid and Geno on the team, that can be turned around quickly.



Also another observation, surprised how close things have been so far. First to last in the Metropolitan division is separated by only 8 points.

Yea it's great to see. They're selling out games again, the place is packed, loud, and is a great atmosphere again. The Flyers win last week was the highest local TV rating for the Sabres since NBCSN became a thing.