As the NHL season kicks into high gear, several teams and players have defied expectations, for better or worse. Here’s a look at some of the biggest surprises and disappointments thus far.
Surprises
- Washington Capitals: After an aggressive off-season, the Washington Capitals surprised many by opening the season with a 10-4-1 record.
- Jakub Dobes, Montreal Canadiens: The 22-year-old rookie goaltender has "snatched pucks" and potentially the starting position with impressive numbers, including a .930 save percentage and a 1.97 goals-against average.
- Frank Nazar, Chicago Blackhawks: As a sophomore, Nazar has emerged as a star, contributing significantly to Chicago's secondary scoring and energizing the team's young core.
- Colorado Avalanche's Goaltending: Mackenzie Blackwood replaced Alex Georgiev and had 37 saves in his first start against the Predators.
- Justin Brazeau, Pittsburgh Penguins: Brazeau's presence alongside Evgeni Malkin has energized the Penguins' second line, making them a formidable offensive threat.
Disappointments
- Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: The "great goal monster" is on pace for career lows in goals (16) and shots on goal (180).
- Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning: Point's offensive production has been sluggish, with only two goals in ten games, impacting the Lightning's overall offensive performance. The team is ranked 22nd in goals.
- Buffalo Sabres: Despite high expectations, the Sabres have struggled to gain positive momentum.
- Linus Ullmark: Ullmark is having his worst season since 2018-19.
- Jordan Binnington: Binnington is struggling, contributing to the Blues' difficulties.
- Jack Quinn, Buffalo Sabres: Despite managing his healthiest NHL season in 2024-2025, Quinn's offensive output barely improved from his previous best.
Other Notable Observations
- The Winnipeg Jets are in first place in the Central Division for the first time in years.
- The Vegas Golden Knights started the season strong with a 29-12-3 record.
- The Philadelphia Flyers are on track to be a wild card team, aligning with pre-season projections.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins might have the worst goalie situation in the league.
The NHL season is still young, and these surprises and disappointments could evolve as the year progresses. Several factors, such as injuries, trades, and player development, can significantly impact team performance and individual player statistics.
