The NHL has reached the midpoint of its 2017-18 season. We've handed out our choices for the traditional, legitimate postseason awards. Now it's time for a collection of bests, worsts, surprises and bummers.
Here is the ESPN NHL midpoint awards supplement:
The five best things about the Vegas Golden Knights, who were the best thing about the first half of the season:
5. The sweat they're generating from bookmakers as they near a playoff spot, a division title and potentially a Stanley Cup.
4. The emergence of William "Wild Bill" Karlsson, Columbus Blue Jackets castoff, as the best example of a talented player given an increased role and rising to the occasion, with 22 goals in 41 games.