Top 5 Surprise Teams
PostedCOLON Sat Nov 06, 2010 12:18 am
5. Minnesota Wild - The youthful Wild currently sit 4th in the West, and 11th overall after week 3. Young and inexperienced the Wild have surpassed all expectations to start the season. Louongo has carried most of the mail, but surprising contributions from rookies: Kyle Turris, Derek Stepan and Jordan Eberle have the entire league looking in amazement. Could this team be the contenders of tommorow?
4. New York Rangers - 4th in the East, and 8th overall, the rangers have faired exceedingly well despite tough competition, and a tilt against the powerhouse Devils. Goaltending and defense have risen to the occasion early on, and have the Rangers competing for a top seed.
3. Montreal Canadiens - 5th in the East, and 9th overall, the Canadiens have been a difficult opponent to handle in the early going of the season. With a top 5 offense and goalie tandem, the Canadiens have vaulted themselves into playoff status, and potentially pose a threat for the top portion of the Eastern conference. The flaws on defense, and in the middle are apparent, and could pose difficulties later in the season, but what Montreal does well, it does so exceedingly well.
2. Atlanta Thrashers - 2nd in the East, and 6th overall. Perhaps the biggest surprise on this list, thought to be a threat for the lottery this season, the Thrashers have exploded out of the gate, and proven all the doubters wrong. Currently the top team in the South East, the Thrashers are seeded high despite stiff competition against the Capitals and Lightning. Strong goaltending, and suprisingly potent offense are the story here.
1. Vancouver Canucks - 1st in the West, and 2nd overall. Few would peg the Nucks as the favourites to lead the West before the season, but that is where they sit after 3 weeks of competition. Disciplined two way play, and attention to detail have been the point of strength for Vancouver. Between that and their suprisingly potent offense they have been a tough team to beat, should Marc Andre Fleury return to form this surprise team could battle for contention by seasons end.
4. New York Rangers - 4th in the East, and 8th overall, the rangers have faired exceedingly well despite tough competition, and a tilt against the powerhouse Devils. Goaltending and defense have risen to the occasion early on, and have the Rangers competing for a top seed.
3. Montreal Canadiens - 5th in the East, and 9th overall, the Canadiens have been a difficult opponent to handle in the early going of the season. With a top 5 offense and goalie tandem, the Canadiens have vaulted themselves into playoff status, and potentially pose a threat for the top portion of the Eastern conference. The flaws on defense, and in the middle are apparent, and could pose difficulties later in the season, but what Montreal does well, it does so exceedingly well.
2. Atlanta Thrashers - 2nd in the East, and 6th overall. Perhaps the biggest surprise on this list, thought to be a threat for the lottery this season, the Thrashers have exploded out of the gate, and proven all the doubters wrong. Currently the top team in the South East, the Thrashers are seeded high despite stiff competition against the Capitals and Lightning. Strong goaltending, and suprisingly potent offense are the story here.
1. Vancouver Canucks - 1st in the West, and 2nd overall. Few would peg the Nucks as the favourites to lead the West before the season, but that is where they sit after 3 weeks of competition. Disciplined two way play, and attention to detail have been the point of strength for Vancouver. Between that and their suprisingly potent offense they have been a tough team to beat, should Marc Andre Fleury return to form this surprise team could battle for contention by seasons end.