from Paul Skrbina of the Chicago Tribune,

What’s happening in Vegas isn’t supposed to be happening in Vegas.

An expansion team filled with has-beens, hardly-ever-weres and hoping-to-bes wasn’t expected to have the second-best record in hockey as the halfway point of the season approaches.

But here the Golden Knights are, where many reasonably could have expected the Blackhawks to be, in first place in their division with no signs of slowing.

Meanwhile, the Blackhawks began Friday where many could have anticipated the Knights to be — in last place in their division.

The two met at the United Center, with the Hawks clinging to playoff hopes and playing their first home game in almost three weeks. The first of eight home games in a nine-game stretch ended with the visitors winning 5-4 thanks to Reilly Smith’s breakaway goal at the 13 minute, 53 second mark of the third period.

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