The Panthers and coach Kevin Dineen have been one of the most surprising stories in the NHL this season. After bringing in Brian Campbell and Kris Versteeg during the offseason, the Panthers have battled for the Southeast Division lead all season long, currently tied with the surging Washington Capitals with 50 points in the standings.
Florida is in the conversation, but they are hardly the only team that can lay claim to a surprising start. The St. Louis Blues, for example, fired coach Davis Payne only 13 games into the season and have gone 20-5-6 under new coach Ken Hitchcock since then. Similarly, the New York Rangers' resurgence has been a surprise to many.
Meanwhile in the Bruins' own Northeast Division, the Ottawa Senators have turned some heads and only trail the B's by one point in the standings. Be honest: did you see that one coming?
At about the midway point of the season, some teams have exceeded expectations and some have fallen short. But of teams playing well this season, is there one that stands out?
