On October 31st, several teams around the NHL standings are positioned far from where they were expected to be. Some have outproduced even the most optimistic predictions, while others have lagged far behind their role as “Stanley Cup Contender”. On a day where we each dress up as something fantastical, we ask you who you think is hiding behind a costume and will eventually be given their trick, or treat.
Is it the Vegas Golden Knights, who continue to shock the NHL with an 8-2 record? If the Knights falter few would be surprised (especially given their recent goaltending troubles), but perhaps they’re better than anyone gave them credit for this summer. They certainly look like one of the best teams on the ice. What about the Los Angeles Kings, who were criticized for not doing a ton to address their team but continue to allow the fewest goals in the league? Drew Doughty and company have a +16 goal differential in just 12 games, trailing only Tampa Bay.
Or, at the other end of the spectrum the Edmonton Oilers. Unable to score despite having one of the best players in the world, is there a Superman “S” under that Clark Kent-like start? The Oilers have just a 3-6-1 record, but were expected by many to cruise to the playoffs. The New York Rangers, coming off a 100+ point season aren’t far ahead, and seemed to have sparked the anemic Montreal offense with their poor performance on Saturday night. Is that big apple candy-coated, or does it have a rotten core?
Cast your vote below for whose record you believe is just a costume, and there is either a contender or pretender under the mask.
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