5 Huge October Surprises in the NHL

The first month of the NHL regular season brought numerous unexpected storylines. Which ones stood out the most?

October in the NHL always generates excitement. With all 32 teams starting fresh and equal in the standings, surprises—both positive and negative—were inevitable. Once again, the league did not let us down.

Some teams that were predicted to struggle performed exceptionally well, while others expected to thrive fell far short. Several unexpected players either greatly exceeded or missed expectations.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins Lead the Standings

The biggest surprise is the team that finished October at the top of the NHL standings—a team few predicted would be in the playoff race. The Penguins, led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, posted an impressive 8-2-2 record in October.

Malkin's resurgence played a major role, scoring three goals and amassing 17 points, reminding everyone of his enduring talent. The team's defense also performed better than expected, contributing to their strong start.

This promising season start gives Penguins fans hope to enjoy their veteran stars while the team transitions to a new era.

Key Contributors

Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha combined for 23 points in October.
Rookie Ben Kindel surpassed early expectations.

This has clearly been an ideal opening month for Pittsburgh, though the challenge remains to maintain this level of play.

"Never count out a team with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on it."

Author's summary: October brought several NHL surprises, with the Penguins’ unexpected top position emphasizing the impact of veteran talent and emerging players in a fresh new season.

Substack — 2025-11-03