from Andrew Knoll and Allan Kreda of the New York Times,

These are some of the players and teams who are sizzling and fizzling in the early going. (Records and statistics are through Saturday’s games.)

- The Buffalo Sabres (9-4-2) have not made the playoffs since 2011, and in their 50th anniversary season, they are still seeking the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. But the first-year coach Ralph Krueger, who spent some of his six years out of the N.H.L. coaching in Europe, has elevated his team’s play as a mixture of youthful exuberance and veteran experience has struck the right chords.

The rookie Victor Olofsson — nicknamed “Golofsson” by fans — has gone from obscure seventh-round draft pick to lethal power-play weapon. Carter Hutton may have finally cemented himself as a No. 1 goalie at age 33. He has posted a 6-2-1 record and is one of five goalies to have posted two shutouts, including one that set the franchise record for saves made (47) in a shutout....

- The San Jose Sharks were a popular pick to win the West last season, and they came close, reaching the conference finals. They managed to retain much of their free-agent-laden roster, most notably defenseman Erik Karlsson and forward Timo Meier. (Their captain, Joe Pavelski, left for Dallas.)

But the Sharks have stumbled out of the starting blocks, in last place in the West with a 4-10-1 record and the league’s second-worst goal differential. Their offensive explosiveness masked some atrocious goaltending last season; those figures have not improved much this year.

In the East, the Tampa Bay Lightning, who had one of the best regular seasons in league history, seem to still be reeling from a stunning sweep in the first round of the playoffs, starting the season with a lukewarm 6-5-2 record.

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