Frozen Fantasy: Record Start

Records are made to be broken. And this season, some of the strangest ones have already been snapped.

For good AND bad.

Vegas Strong has propelled the Golden Knights to the best-ever start for an expansion team in NHL history.

In contrast, the 'Zona coma has extended to 10 games, marking theirs the worst start to an NHL season since 1943.

The Golden Knights' shutout win Friday night was their fifth straight, matching the New York Rangers (1926-27) and Edmonton Oilers (1979-80) for the longest winning streak to start the season. They're now 8-0-1.

The Coyotes will match the 1943-44 Rangers' record of 11 consecutive losses to open a year if they fall to the Devils on Saturday night.

Vegas isn't this good and Arizona certainly isn't this bad. Their records will even out – that's why we were gifted the concept of regression toward the mean.

Vegas is first in the NHL in goals allowed heading into the weekend – they'll allow more. Arizona is last in the same category – they have to stop more … don't they?

Regardless of the regression to come, these two teams are helping make hockey fun again. Just not for the same reason.

Now let's take a look at who caught my eye this week.

Josh Bailey, LW/RW, NY Islanders (11 percent Yahoo! owned) – Bailey is the Isle on fire this week. His eight points (two goals, six assists) in his last five games put him in the fantasy top-20 for the past seven days. Is it for real? Yes, just not at his current point-per game pace overall. Bailey delivered a career-best 56 points last year, so a 60-point season is within reach. Remember – he was a top-10 pick the year he was drafted, so he comes with a talented pedigree. Pick him up if you need helpers.

Oscar Dansk, G, Vegas (19 percent Yahoo! owned) – Dansk has been a dynasty league target for a long time, but the luster came off his game with a couple of crummy years in Sweden. Fast-forward to today and you have the hottest goalie in the NHL. Dansk rang up his third straight win Friday night and in a shutout performance no less. Grab him now.

Tim Heed, D, San Jose (1 percent Yahoo! owned) – This guy has offensive instincts that you simply cannot teach. Heed scored at almost a point-per-game last season in the AHL and has four points in his last five games with the Sharkies. He's quick with a Brent Burns-like rocket from the point, and he is adding a bit of spice to a previously predictable power play. I heeded my own advice and added him Friday night. You might want to do the same.

William Karlsson, C, Vegas (2 percent Yahoo! owned) – Karlsson never hit the fantasy radar in Anaheim or Columbus. But the bright lights of Vegas have illuminated his increasing value, at least in the short-term. Karlsson has five points (two goals, three assists) in his last five games and he's getting time on the power play. This too shall pass, but some owners may benefit from this little streak.

Luca Sbisa, D, Vegas (1 percent Yahoo! owned) – Sbisa has very quietly put up five assists in his last seven games AND is part of a relatively no-name blue line that has allowed the fewest goals in the NHL. Yes, you read that right – upstart Vegas is playing such a strong team game that they sit first overall in goals against. Despite being on their third starting goalie. Sbisa has never put up more than 24 points in a season – he's more about hits, blocks and general crease clearing. But desert life is clearly agreeing with him right now.

Nate Schmidt, D, Vegas (4 percent Yahoo! owned) – Schmidt is the one that got away. Washington didn't want to part with him, but had no choice but leave him unprotected in the expansion draft. Now he's flourishing in the land of sand with six points, including five assists, in his first nine games as a Golden Knight. And like Sbisa (above), Schmidt is a key part of the league's best in goals against. His plus-minus will be a whole lot better than many ever dreamed. Like the Caps, I'm wishing Schmidt was on my team and not Dmitry Orlov.

Reilly Smith, RW, Vegas (15 percent Yahoo! owned) – Two seasons ago, Smith delivered 50 points. This year, he already has seven points in his first nine games and in fact, all seven have come in his last seven. Smith is seeing time on the power play and is versatile enough to move up and down the lines. Sometimes you just need to take advantage of a roll.

Chris Wagner, RW/C, Anaheim (1 percent Yahoo! owned) – I didn't know Wagner from a hole in the ground until he injured Nolan Patrick with a big hit Tuesday night. Wow – the guy slams like a Mack truck. In fact, that's what has earned him the trust of coach Randy Carlyle. Wagner won't be a huge producer, but he's getting plenty of opportunity under Carlyle and has delivered five points in nine games. All five have come in the last four games. Wagner will deliver sneaky value if your league counts hits.

Tom Wilson, RW, Washington (2 percent Yahoo! owned) – Every once in a while, Wilson loses his crap in a game and goes all postal on some guy. It happened Thursday against the Orcas to the tune of 19 PIM. You might not like his approach, but he just the kind of guy who can vault you up that category in a hurry.

Thomas Vanek, LW/RW, Vancouver (6 percent Yahoo! owned) – Why is this antique on this list? He hasn't played a full season this decade, but the guy's hands remain among the league's best. And very quietly – in the barren wasteland that is Vancouver – Vanek is on a 30-goal pace. He's worth watching.

Back to records.

The Coyotes' 0-9-1 record is ugly, but so is the Canadiens' 2-7-1. Maybe it's worse. After all, Arizona has scored five more goals than Montreal and Antti Raanta is due back this weekend. Carey Price will improve, but will the Habs' offense?

And how long will Travis Green's Kool-Aid keep the Orcas near the top? Vancouver's 6-3-1 record is completely unsustainable.

Regression toward the mean is a nasty phenomenon – just ask the Red Wings. Or the Avs. Their great starts have ground to a halt.

There are some silver linings. Clayton Keller is a beast. And both Joe Sakic and Michel Therrien are already walking the plank.

Now those things are worth rejoicing.

Until next week.