Some might argue the Edmonton Oilers are the biggest surprise this season because they have started 5-0 with goalie Mikko Koskinen winning three of those games. Others might say the Pittsburgh Penguins are the big surprise because they have stayed competitive without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

How about Alex Ovechkin with seven goals in six games with center Nicklas Backstrom on the injured list?

None of those worthy candidates made my list of six surprisingly impressive starts:


1.Left wing Andrew Mangiapane, Calgary Flames: There’s a buzz about Mangiapane because he has seven goals in six games. He is playing on the third line, only averaging 14:55 per game. But he’s entertaining, continually making quick bursts into the seams of the defense.

Can Mangiapane sustain this? Yes and no. Plenty of people believe Mangiapane can score 20 to 25 goals this season. But he’s not going to go from a 15-goal scorer to a 40-goal scorer. But he certainly can be a valuable performer for the Flames.

2. Buffalo Sabres: The general consensus in the preseason was that the Sabres were going to be the Eastern Conference's worst team. Much to everyone’s surprise, the Sabres have started 4-1-1. The key for the Sabres has been keeping the puck out of their net. They are giving up an average of 1.83 goals per game. Buffalo’s goalie tandem of Craig Anderson and Dustin Tokarski has been surprisingly sharp. Anderson’s GAA is 1.76 and he owns a .944 save percentage, while Tokarski is at 1.40 and .950. Coach Don Granato has done an excellent job with this group.

Can the Sabres sustain this? No. They have shown they aren’t as bad as pundits thought, but this won’t be a Cinderella ride into the postseason.

3. Right wing Tyler Bertuzzi, Detroit Red Wings: Bertuzzi played only nine games last season because of a back injury that was repaired by surgery. The Red Wings couldn’t be sure where Bertuzzi’s playing level would be at. He has responded by registering six goals and nine points in five games. He is also +8. He is flying around the ice, probably playing the best hockey of his career. Bertuzzi is the only NHL player who has chosen not to be vaccinated for Covid-19. He has already missed one game because he can’t cross the Canadian border, and will miss eight more unless the rules change.

Can Bertuzzi sustain this level?: Yes. Don’t believe he will score 50 goals, but Bertuzzi looks like he is going to have a memorable season. The line of rookie Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin and Bertuzzi boasts impressive chemistry.

4. Goalie Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes: Andersen had a sub-par season in 2020-21 and Toronto fans grew weary of his presence. He moved to the Carolina Hurricanes who had irritated some of their fans by trading away young goalie Alex Nedeljkovic. Andersen has responded to all that drama by starting 5-0 with a 1.60 goals-against average and .946 save percentage. He has given up eight goals in five starts. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have started 2-4.1.

Can Andersen sustain this?: Yes to a certain extent. He’s not going to hold a 1.60 GAA, but he could have his best statistical season. He has an impressive defense in front of him.

5. Columbus Blue Jackets: After Seth Jones was traded and coach John Tortorella left, the Blue Jackets looked like the worst team in the Metropolitan. But Elvis Merzlikins (4-0, 1.57 goals-against average, .952 save percentage) has been strong in the net and the Blue Jackets are playing hard enough to be competitive.

Can the Blue Jackets sustain this? Don’t see it. Like the Sabres, they are better than we thought. They could continue to hold their own if Patrik Laine plays well. However, the Jackets still need a proven No. 1 center and aren’t as deep as other teams in the Metropolitan.

Defenseman Marcus Pettersson, Pittsburgh Penguins: Some fans and media members believed the Penguins would be better off trading Pettersson last summer. He is early in a four-season contract and coming off a down season. But the Penguins did not trade him and Pettersson, 25, had a goal, three assists and a +9 plus-minus after six games. His Corsi rating is 55.1, well above his career average of 44.1.

Can Pettersson sustain this? Yes. He's been solid and dependable. He can certainly do that over an 82-game season.

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