Mid-Season Review: Top 3 Surprising Teams

After a brief hiatis I am back! All Star weekend is upon us, and I thought I would take the time to do a mid-season review of the year that has been the 2017-18. Today I will start off by looking at the top 3 surprises in the league. So, let's go!

#3 Colorado Avalanche ( GP 47 W 27 L 17 OL 3 Pts 57)

- Colorado is the most improved team in the NHL. They already have 9 more points than they did during the entire 2016-17 season. What has been the big change? Well, the depart of Matt Duchene, and the re-emergence of Nathan MacKinnon. Mackinnon had a breakout rookie season in 2013-14, but since then he has not emerged as the superstar many thought he would be. That has changed this year. He has 60 points in 47 games and is a candidate for the Art Ross Trophy. This is his team, and he centers one of the best lines in the league with Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen. Not only that, they are getting stellar goaltending in both Semyon Varmalov and Jonathan Bernier. The Av's had won 9 straight games, before falling to Montreal last night. If this team makes the playoffs, watch out! They could be a cinderella story.

#2 New Jersey Devils (GP 47 W 24 L 15 OL 8 Pts 56)

- Like Colorado, the Devils finished last in their division last year, but now are currently sitting second in the tough Metropolitan division. Nobody thought this team would be a contender. Well, I guess alot of people are eating their own words now! Taylor Hall has always being a top tier player. Before McDavid came along, he was the best player on the Oilers team. Some people thought he was part of the problem with the Oilers woes, but looking at him play in New Jersey, I would have to disagree. 43 games played and 48 points on a New Jersey team is definitely impressive. Add in rookies like Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, Will Butcher, and you have a Devils team that is on the road to recovery in a big way. This is a team that's reconstruction is progressing faster than anticipated. The Devils are averaging 3 goals a game. That's crazy!! This is a team that scored 2.23 games last season. That is a huge spike, and a big reason to why this team should strike fear in their opponents.

#1 Las Vegas Golden Knights (GP 47 W 32 L 11 OL 4 Pts 68)

-Ok, what in the Blue Blazer is going on here?? An expansion team with the best record in the NHL? A team that is full of players that 31 other teams gave away? The Golden Knights are breaking all the standards that are usually associated with expansion teams. They have defied all expectations, and I can't help but cheer for a team like this. I am so happy for Gerad Gallant. This is a coach that was disgraceful fired by the Panthers, and is now flourishing in Vegas. He has struck the "gros lot", the "jackpot". The Knights have 4 players with 30 or more points. They have a goaltending duo that has only lost a total of 5 games..(Marc-Andre Fleury and Malcolm Subban) Anything they touch, turns to gold. Now, the real test will be what this team does in the playoffs. However, if I am going to Vegas, I am putting my odds on the Golden Knights being Stanley Cup Contenders.. Wow, did I just say that?? Yes I did!!.