The "October surprise" is an event that can change the trajectory of a political race in the weeks leading up to Election Day in the U.S. It's something stunning and unexpected that alters our preconceptions.
In the NHL, every team has had surprises in the first month of the season. Some good, some bad and some that might have us reconsidering who wins in the end. Here is one "October surprise" for every team in the NHL.
How we rank: The ESPN hockey editorial staff submits polls ranking teams 1-31, and those results are tabulated to the list featured here.