Alex Ovechkin is already in mid-season form. In 15 he has scored 14 goals, and he tied an NHL record with six multi-goal games in the month of October. The two-time reigning MVP has his team atop the Southeast division and second in the Eastern Conference.  

The Colorado Avalanche is one the surprise teams of the season. The team is a mix of proven veterans and rookies. Joining Colorado in the category of surprising: the Los Angeles Kings. Center Anze Kopitar is off to a great start with 21 points, tied for second in the NHL.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins - Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are playing like the All-Stars they are. When they are on, can any team keep up? Possibly not, but Malkin's recent injury could allow some other teams to narrow the gap in the standings.

2. Colorado Avalanche - Their record stands for itself. They have wins over some of the leagues' best teams including two wins over the Reds Wings.

3. Washington Capitals - Alex Ovechkin + Alex Semin + Nicklas Backstrom = Best Line In Hockey. The three have combined for 25 goals and 31 assists.

4. Los Angeles Kings - With an average age under 24 years old, the Kings are a young team that doesn't know any better. Why can't they compete?

5. Buffalo Sabres - No player is standing out offensively, with no Sabre amassing more than 10 points thus far. Then again, that's fine when your goalie is Ryan Miller. He's allowing a pencil-thin 1.86 goals-per-game.

6. Chicago Blackhawks - Despite the fact that they are leading the Central Division, Patrick's Sharp and Kane need to step up. Goaltending has also been an issue. They are a talented team, but if they want to go all the way, they need to improve.

7. San Jose Sharks - The Sharks have four players with more than 12 points. The Dany Heatley trade has proven to be a good move thus far.

8. Calgary Flames - Jarome Iginla has underachieved, but Rene Bourque and Dion Phaneuf have carried the load. Miikka Kiprusoff hasn't been great either. He has a goals-against-average of 3.00 and a save-percentage of .900.

9. New York Rangers - Goalie Henrik Lundqvist has been solid. He ranks second in the NHL in saves with 379. Marian Gaborik's fast start (t-5th in NHL with 19 points) has been big for the Rangers as well.

10. Phoenix Coyotes - Who would have thought that the Coyotes would be competitive? Ilya Bryzgalov's netminding has been amazing. He ranks second in the NHL in goals against average and third in save percentage (among goalies with 10 or more starts).