Strong starts bode well in NHL

The Atlanta Thrashers were the final team to hit the 10-game mark this season with their 3-1 victory against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon. Is it important for teams to get out the gate with a good run?

Well, with the exception of Pittsburgh’s ordinary 5-3-2 record last season — mostly due to the Penguins’ European visit to begin the season — the Stanley Cup champions since the 2004-05 lockout enjoyed a strong start. Carolina went 7-2-1 in the championship season, followed by Anaheim at 7-0-3 and Detroit 7-2-1.

The Penguins obviously are not suffering from the Stanley Cup hangover with their league-leading 10-game start. Some of the surprising teams include Colorado, Buffalo, Ottawa, Phoenix and Edmonton. The disappointments in the early going have been Toronto, Florida, Carolina, Anaheim and Nashville.