by Sean Murphy
Thursday, Oct 23, 2025The puck has dropped on another NHL season and we're already starting to see some of the usual suspects rise to the top (and sink to the bottom) of the standings less than three weeks into the campaign. Here's a look at some notable teams in early season action.
Struck by Lightning
It's been a trying start to the season for the perennially-contending Lightning as they've dropped five of their first six games and are fresh off a 1-3 road trip. That jaunt saw them face four Eastern Conference teams. For a team with as much talent as the Bolts, they have had a miserable time trying to find the back of the net, scoring just five goals during their current three-game slide. The good news? They're back home for a manageable three-game homestand that will include matchups with the Blackhawks, Ducks and Golden Knights. The bad news? Tampa Bay is going to be steeply priced as usual as evidenced by Thursday's -300 price tag against the improved Blackhawks.
Hold the phone
The Penguins were thought to be candidates for a fire sale at some point this season but early returns are positive as they've won five of their first seven games. The Eastern Conference looks like it could be a little more wide-open than usual and that could open the door for the Pens to contend for a playoff spot. While goaltending has been a sore spot for Pittbsurgh in recent years, the duo of Tristan Jarry and offseason acquisition Arturs Silovs has held up well in the early going. We'll see if the Pens can keep it up as they'll play five games in seven days beginning with Thursday's matchup with the defending champion Panthers in Sunrise.
Shark attack
San Jose is mired in a winless start to the campaign through six games. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky is already talking about trading his children for wins. Yeah, it's that bad. While San Jose is in a full rebuild right now, there's enough talent on hand to compete. Things aren't going to get any easier as the Sharks will remain on the road for their next three games. Even an upcoming homestand looks daunting with games against Los Angeles, New Jersey, Colorado and Detroit - all potential playoff teams.
Mammoth beginnings
The newly-named Utah Mammoth have turned heads in the early going, reeling off four straight wins. Keep in mind, all four of those victories came on home ice. They'll begin a four-game road jaunt on Thursday in St. Louis. This is a team that has been building toward contending status since their move from Arizona. While the names on their roster won't jump off the page for most, this is as hard-working of a team as you'll see in the NHL right now and their defensive play has been consistent, allowing three goals or less in all seven games to date. The goaltending duo of Karel Vejmelka and Vitek Vanecek is one of the more underrated in the league.
Good Hab-its
Head coach Martin St. Louis has his Canadiens playing at an exceptionally high level so far this season, picking up right where they left off in 2024-25. Like the Mammoth, this is a young team that has been building toward this moment. The entire roster appears to have bought in to St. Louis' teachings, particularly the young core that has taken a big step forward already. Since dropping a lopsided 5-2 decision in Toronto on opening night, the Habs have won six of their last seven games, allowing two goals or less on five different occasions. The offense was always going to be fine but there were question marks on the blue line heading in, but so far, so good in La Belle Province.
Struck by Lightning
It's been a trying start to the season for the perennially-contending Lightning as they've dropped five of their first six games and are fresh off a 1-3 road trip. That jaunt saw them face four Eastern Conference teams. For a team with as much talent as the Bolts, they have had a miserable time trying to find the back of the net, scoring just five goals during their current three-game slide. The good news? They're back home for a manageable three-game homestand that will include matchups with the Blackhawks, Ducks and Golden Knights. The bad news? Tampa Bay is going to be steeply priced as usual as evidenced by Thursday's -300 price tag against the improved Blackhawks.
Hold the phone
The Penguins were thought to be candidates for a fire sale at some point this season but early returns are positive as they've won five of their first seven games. The Eastern Conference looks like it could be a little more wide-open than usual and that could open the door for the Pens to contend for a playoff spot. While goaltending has been a sore spot for Pittbsurgh in recent years, the duo of Tristan Jarry and offseason acquisition Arturs Silovs has held up well in the early going. We'll see if the Pens can keep it up as they'll play five games in seven days beginning with Thursday's matchup with the defending champion Panthers in Sunrise.
Shark attack
San Jose is mired in a winless start to the campaign through six games. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky is already talking about trading his children for wins. Yeah, it's that bad. While San Jose is in a full rebuild right now, there's enough talent on hand to compete. Things aren't going to get any easier as the Sharks will remain on the road for their next three games. Even an upcoming homestand looks daunting with games against Los Angeles, New Jersey, Colorado and Detroit - all potential playoff teams.
Mammoth beginnings
The newly-named Utah Mammoth have turned heads in the early going, reeling off four straight wins. Keep in mind, all four of those victories came on home ice. They'll begin a four-game road jaunt on Thursday in St. Louis. This is a team that has been building toward contending status since their move from Arizona. While the names on their roster won't jump off the page for most, this is as hard-working of a team as you'll see in the NHL right now and their defensive play has been consistent, allowing three goals or less in all seven games to date. The goaltending duo of Karel Vejmelka and Vitek Vanecek is one of the more underrated in the league.
Good Hab-its
Head coach Martin St. Louis has his Canadiens playing at an exceptionally high level so far this season, picking up right where they left off in 2024-25. Like the Mammoth, this is a young team that has been building toward this moment. The entire roster appears to have bought in to St. Louis' teachings, particularly the young core that has taken a big step forward already. Since dropping a lopsided 5-2 decision in Toronto on opening night, the Habs have won six of their last seven games, allowing two goals or less on five different occasions. The offense was always going to be fine but there were question marks on the blue line heading in, but so far, so good in La Belle Province.
