from Sam McCaig of The Hockey News,

Grades are based on each team’s performance as well as how they’ve fared versus to pre-season expectations.

A+
Tampa Bay Lightning: The Bolts have been at the head of the NHL class since opening day. They could have a player up for every major individual award, not to mention the inside track on the Presidents’ Trophy and Stanley Cup.

Vegas Golden Knights: No team in the league has overachieved more than the Knights. A first-year expansion team that was reduced to playing its fourth-string goalie for most of the first two months, and they’re within sight of top spot in the West. Amazing.

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