With the first month of the 2017-18 NHL season in the books, we now have a big enough sample size to reflect on what we have seen to this point. While the Edmonton Oilers have been a major disappointment early on, there are a number of pleasant surprises that have really turned heads to this point in the year so far. Each of these teams still has a long way to go if they are going to reach the playoffs but it’s impossible to overlook their quality starts. Here is a look at the biggest surprise NHL teams so far this season.
Vegas Golden Knights
When it comes to surprises, none have been bigger than the play of the Golden Knights so far this season. Vegas opened the year with a 10-6-1 record through its first 17 games, placing them among the top teams in the Western Conference early on. Veterans David Perron and James Neal have led the way up front, but the most unique aspect of the Golden Knights success has been the play of multiple goaltenders early on. Five different goaltenders have made appearances for Vegas this season with Marc-Andre Fleury, Malcolm Subban, Oscar Dansk, Maxime Legace and Dylan Ferguson all making appearances as injuries have piled up over time. Vegas will have a difficult time keeping up without the same level of star players that other playoff contenders in the Western Conference are built around. However, the Golden Knights are off to an excellent start so it’s clear they can’t be completely overlooked in terms of potential playoff teams this season.
New Jersey Devils
Nobody expected New Jersey to own the best record in the Metropolitan division after its first 17 games of the season. However, at 11-4-2 the Devils own a better record than the Columbus Blue Jackets, Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins. It isn’t just that New Jersey leads the Metropolitan division either but how they have done it so far. The Devils rank fourth in the NHL with an average of 3.5 goals per game. New Jersey can contribute a good portion of its success to the league’s third-ranked powerplay with Taylor Hall and rookie Nico Hischier leading the way up front. While the Devils are still a long shot to win their division, they can’t be completely overlooked. With improved depth up front and strong goaltending, New Jersey could very well be a legitimate playoff contender this season.
Winnipeg Jets
After struggling to perform to their potential over the past couple of years, the Jets look like they have finally figured things out as a legitimate playoff contender in the Western Conference. Winnipeg has earned at least a point in 13 of its first 17 games and currently owns the third-best record in the conference. Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele have led the way for a top-10 offense but the biggest adjustment has been the improved play between the pipes. Connor Hellebuyck is a ridiculous 9-1-2 with a 2.32 goals against average and a .930 save percentage so far this season. The Jets need Hellebuyck to continue to play at a high level in order to finally make the playoffs in the Western Conference this season. As long as Hellebuyck continues to deliver, Winnipeg will be a playoff team.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings were hit hard by an injury to Jonathan Quick a year ago. While Peter Budaj had strong numbers with Quick out, the reality is that the team played a completely different style of game in front of him without their No. 1 netminder available. Los Angeles has looked like a completely different team so far this year, even with an injury to Jeff Carter. The Kings own the best record in the Pacific division at 11-5-2. Quick has been phenomenal with a 9-5-1 record and a 2.32 goals against average so far this season. Meanwhile, Los Angeles ranks 12th in the NHL with an average of 3.1 goals per game with Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Tyler Toffoli leading the way up front. The Kings have enough talent to be a serious contender in the Western Conference as long as Quick can stay healthy. After surprising with an even better start than expected, it appears as though Los Angeles is back as a true Stanley Cup contender.
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