5 Huge October Surprises in the NHL

The opening month of the NHL regular season brought no shortage of unexpected developments. With all 32 teams beginning on equal ground, October offered both pleasant surprises and major disappointments across the league.

The Rise of the Penguins

No story turned more heads than the Pittsburgh Penguins’ stunning climb to the top of the NHL standings. A team many had written off as aging or rebuilding, Pittsburgh closed October as league leaders, defying almost every preseason prediction.

“Never count out a team with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on it.”

Powered by Evgeni Malkin’s renaissance, the Penguins posted an 8-2-2 record in October. Malkin’s 17 points, including three goals, highlighted his enduring skill and leadership. A stronger than expected defense provided further balance, making the Penguins one of the month’s standout success stories.

Depth Players Deliver

Complementing their star veterans, unexpected contributors stepped forward. Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha combined for 23 points, while rookie Ben Kindel surpassed early expectations, adding energy and offensive spark to the lineup.

“This has been a dream start for the Penguins.”

Their early surge serves as both a celebration of their veteran core and a glimpse of the franchise’s next generation taking shape.

Looking Ahead

As the season moves into November, questions remain about whether the Penguins can sustain this momentum. Even if regression comes, their remarkable October run reaffirmed that experience and chemistry can still rival youth and speed in today’s NHL.

Author’s Summary: An unexpectedly dominant October by the Penguins, led by Malkin’s revival and surprise depth scoring, reshaped the early NHL landscape and reignited belief in Pittsburgh’s veteran core.

Substack — 2025-11-03