The New York Rangers approach the 20-game mark of the 2018-19 season much closer to a playoff spot than most predicted. With 18 points, they trail the Buffalo Sabres by just two points for the final wild card berth in the East.
For a publicly rebuilding team with draft lottery expectations going in, the Rangers have clearly overperformed thus far.
Like the Rangers, the Vancouver Canucks were expected to be bottom-feeders. The retirement of the Sedins, coupled with their poor finish last season, seemed a good indicator of another poor finish. But one stellar rookie has different plans in mind.