As the NHL season hits its stride just before Thanksgiving, it's time to reflect and possibly admit we were all a bit misguided in our preseason predictions.

Let’s face it, many of us, myself included, have proven to be rather poor forecasters when it comes to the 2024-25 season. A look back at the predictions reveals just how off-kilter the consensus was, which serves as a humbling reminder for all of us.

Top Five Surprises of the Season So Far

1. **The Oiling Machine**: Many fans pinned the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche as top playoff contenders, but both teams find themselves fighting for survival in the wild card race. Six weeks in, and both clubs are far from the dominating juggernauts we once thought they would be.

2. **The Unexpected Wild Card**: Who would have guessed that the Minnesota Wild, previously deemed a team to just fill the league’s middle ground, would boast one of the best records? Not a single fan saw this coming, as the Wild are on the brink of securing their playoff berth already.

3. **Sam Reinhart's Redemption**: Last year's star, Sam Reinhart, was largely overlooked by fans in terms of achieving 50 goals. Contrary to initial doubts, he's on track to potentially surpass his impressive 57-goal season, showing that the whispers of being a one-hit-wonder were unfounded.

4. **Winnipeg's Unexpected Dominance**: Despite having a stellar 52-24-6 record last year, the Jets were written off by most fans for this season. Yet, they have jumped out to an impressive start, continuing to surprise even the most ardent skeptics.

5. **Capitalizing on Past Success**: The Washington Capitals, who were playoff regulars last year, were similarly overlooked in preseason picks. The belief was so low that not a single fan predicted them to be in contention again, despite key enhancements over the offseason.

Current Rankings: Who’s Shining and Who’s Struggling

Road to the Cup: Top Five Contenders

1. **Florida Panthers** (12-5-1): The defending champions are keeping pace, buoyed by recent performances, although they had a mixed week with significant wins and losses.

2. **Carolina Hurricanes** (13-4-0): Continuing to rise, bolstered by outstanding performances from lesser-known players, though concerns about their primary goalie linger.

3. **Winnipeg Jets** (15-3-0): Despite a small losing streak, they remain a formidable team heading into the season's latter half.

4. **Dallas Stars** (11-5-0): Solid play, evidenced by prolific scoring in recent games, keeps them in contention as frontrunners in the hunt for playoff spots.

5. **Vegas Golden Knights** (11-5-2): Managing to hold their position at the top of the Pacific division, but facing stiff competition from all sides.

Struggling at the Bottom: The Bottom Five Teams

1. **Chicago Blackhawks** (6-11-1): With Taylor Hall underperforming and struggling to secure a spot in the lineup, the outlook is bleak for the franchise.

2. **San Jose Sharks** (5-10-4): Once a competitive team, they are now faltering and struggling to find form.

3. **Montreal Canadiens** (6-10-2): Despite a rare win, their scoring struggles are still far too pronounced, with a heavy reliance on individual efforts.

4. **Anaheim Ducks** (6-8-2): An early promising season seems to be unraveling quickly, revealing their true competitive stage.

5. **Columbus Blue Jackets** (6-9-2): They appeared somewhat promising in the beginning but now seem ready for a long season.

What Lies Ahead

Finally, let's check in on the St. Louis Blues, who were not included in this week’s rankings but are in dire straits themselves. Consecutive losses including a brutal 8-1 defeat at the hands of the Capitals have left fans worried about their postseason aspirations. With Robert Thomas sidelined, this team might need to re-evaluate its direction—is it time for a rebuild or should they still hold on for a playoff shot?

The NHL landscape is ever-changing, and with more surprises likely, expect the expected and prepare for the unexpected. As teams settle into new roles, the coming weeks of matchups will be critical for shaping the playoff outlook. Will form be restored, or will more chaotic shake-ups rattle the standings? Only time will tell.