Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The NHL is full of pleasant surprises, but five teams in particular have soared above expectations and demanded attention.
Six NHL clubs completed the first quarter of the regular season, so it’s a great time to look back on the first 20 games or so and pick out the biggest surprises and letdowns at the quarter mark in 2024-25.
We’ll start the process with five teams – and a couple of players in particular – that have been the biggest surprises in a positive way this season.
1. Winnipeg Jets
Many, if not most, people had the Jets as a playoff team after finishing fourth in the NHL last season. But even those most optimistic about Winnipeg would not have expected them to roar out to a 16-3-0 start to the season.
The Jets have already pulled off an eight-game win streak and a seven-game win streak. While they did have a two-game losing streak in Tampa Bay and Florida, Winnipeg turned around and defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers 6-3 on Tuesday.
Big cheer for former Jets bench boss Paul Maurice as he’s shown on the Jumbotron.
First time he’s back since his wishing Winnipeg would win a Stanley Cup comments.
He looks up and responds with his characteristic wave. #NHLJets pic.twitter.com/8AA0sxogWJ
— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) November 20, 2024
The Jets have the league’s second-best offense, averaging 4.21 goals-for per game. Their defense is almost as dominant, currently ranking fifth in the NHL at 2.41 goals against per game.
Their three losses came against above-average teams, but they’ve otherwise handled their business admirably and given themselves a cushion at the top of the NHL. They’re five points ahead of the Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild in second place, and they’re 12 points ahead of the Central’s No. 4 squad, the Colorado Avalanche.
They’re better than anyone hoped, and they’re the gold standard for teams right now. Let’s see how they keep up for the rest of the season and playoffs, where the Avalanche upset them in the first round last year.
2. Dustin Wolf, G, Calgary Flames
We presumed it would be a long year in Calgary – and it still may be. But winning five of their first six games – including wins over Pacific Division rivals Vancouver and Edmonton – was a big surprise.
Though they’ve cooled off of late, a key reason for the Flames’ success is rookie goaltender Wolf. He has a 7-2-1 record, 2.36 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and a shutout.
Wolf was a highly regarded prospect before this season began, and the 23-year-old has lived up to the hype. Dan Vladar has been decent as well, which helps take pressure off Wolf early in his career. But Wolf deserves a lot of attention in the Calder Trophy race at this rate. His goals-against average is sixth in the NHL among goalies with at least 10 appearances.
The Flames’ defense is their biggest strength, as they’re allowing 2.68 goals against per game – the NHL’s eighth-best total in that department. If they’re to stay in a playoff position, their offense – 2.58 goals-for per game – must improve, but Calgary’s dominant play in their own zone is what’s driving their success.
So long as Wolf stays at his current level, the Flames have a chance to win more than they lose.
Related: NHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Stankoven, Michkov And Hutson In Dead Heat, But Celebrini Lurks
3. Minnesota Wild
We’ve been on record as not being confident in the Wild, but credit where it’s due – Minnesota is very good right now.
Minnesota has lost only three times in regulation, and their road record is a dazzling 8-1-2. Like the Jets, they’ve lost only two games in a row once this year.
Kirill Kaprizov continues to stand out as one of the NHL’s most valuable players so far this season. His 33 points are second in the NHL, and his 1.83 points per game is first. His 13 goals are fourth, but he’s setting up his teammates with great passing as well.
The Wild look like behemoths on defense. They’re the NHL’s top team in goals-against average at 2.33, and they’re getting terrific goaltending from Filip Gustavsson. Among goalies with at least 10 games, he has a league-leading 2.07 goals-against average, second-best .926 save percentage and a shutout in 14 games.
The Wild’s next 10 games are an opportunity to put space in the standings between them and Central rivals Dallas, Colorado and Utah. But if they can improve their home record of 4-2-1, Minnesota will challenge Winnipeg for the top spot in the division.
Some still expect they’ll regress somewhat, but the Wild’s start to the year allows them some room to make mistakes and still be a top Central squad.
4. Dylan Strome, C, Washington Capitals
We covered Strome’s rise in recent years – but it is worth repeating that he’s a top-five scorer in the NHL. He has more points than stars Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov and Leon Draisaitl. Not many players can say that, and not many people can predict it.
Strome’s success is helping drive a Capitals team that is currently the best in the Eastern Conference at 13-4-1 and has the most goals-for per game, at 4.33.
Of course, the Caps are also thriving because of the goal-scoring tear of star Alexander Ovechkin, who has a league-leading 15 tallies.
With Ovechkin now sidelined week-to-week with a leg injury, Washington’s depth will be tested. Luckily, they’re getting a lot of that right now.
Youngsters Connor McMichael – 12 goals, 19 points – and Aliaksei Protas – 11 assists, 18 points – are potentially at the beginning of breakout campaigns.
Goalie Logan Thompson, who has a .913 SP and 2.63 GAA, also continues to thrive. If all these players continue to gel and excel, the Capitals will almost assuredly be a playoff team this year.
Washington needs Ovechkin back as soon as possible, but there’s sufficient depth here to sustain them as a top team in the Metropolitan Division.
Related: Chasing Greatness: Ovechkin’s Pursuit Of Gretzky’s NHL Goal Record Brims With Reverence For The Legend
5. Los Angeles Kings
Full disclosure – we were down on the Kings in our pre-season predictions, putting them fourth in the Pacific and out of a playoff spot. However, Los Angeles is battling for the top spot in the division, which surprises many.
The Kings built a 10-6-3 record despite having mid-tier goaltending from David Rittich and newcomer Darcy Kuemper. They’re getting well-balanced point production from their skaters, and their defense, which has allowed 2.84 goals against per game, is somewhat underrated.
Anže Kopitar (5-15=20) becomes the second player in NHL History to open his 19th season with 15 assists and 20 points in his team’s first 18 games, joining Nicklas Lidström in 2010-11 (3-17=20) #GoKingsGo https://t.co/FmgbOguHZ1
— Dexter Zinman (@The_Zin_Master) November 14, 2024
Anze Kopitar is still a point-per-game player, leading the team with 21 points in 19 games. Alex Laferriere is breaking out with nine goals and 15 points in 19 games. Brandt Clarke has done as good a job as anyone could hope for in filling in for the injured Drew Doughty. New addition Warren Foegele has six goals, and Adrian Kempe continues to impress with 18 points.
L.A. hasn’t lost more than two games in a row since a three-game losing streak at the start of the year. While the Pacific could get more competitive in the coming weeks and months, the Kings are proving they can do damage against good and bad teams.
Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.
Related: NHL Power Rankings: Heat Level On Every Coach After Bruins’ Firing – And A New No. 1
