This past week, I gathered some of the great hockey minds here at Bleacher Report for a little first quarter report. Thanks to Brett Bodner, Bryan Thiel, Derek Harmsworth, Miah D, and Greg Caggiano for participating. 

Brett Bodner

My biggest surprise is the Boston Bruins. Coming into the season, no one expected this team to be good or even have a chance at making the playoffs. Now look at them, first place in the Eastern Conference. 

My biggest disappointment is the Dallas Stars however. This team has way too much skill and talent to be dead last in the Western conference. It just doesn't make any sense.

My MVP would have to be Joe Thornton because of how much he's contributed to this San Jose Sharks team, who is 22-3-2. That record is unheard of and he's a big part of the reason why this team is that good.

The Vezina without a doubt would have to go to Henrik Lundqvist. He is very important to the New York Rangers and without him this Ranger team would not be in first place or even a contender.

I believe that the San Jose Sharks will win the Stanley Cup. They've had enough talent to do so over the past couple of years and I  believe this is the year where it has all come together for them, and they will win the Cup.

My dark horse team is the Minnesota Wild. This team is having a lot of success and are under the radar. Backstrom has been outstanding and Mikko Koivu is having a great year. They've been very good over the years, so do not count out this team as a Stanley Cup contender.

BT

I'm going to start with the biggest disappointment because this one is obvious: the Dallas Stars. So many people (including myself) had the Stars pegged as contenders in the Pacific Division (I had them winning it), but the season seems to have fallen apart.

Whether there's inner turmoil due to the Avery incident (and by incident I mean his Dallas career) or the horse-shoe wedged up Marty Turco's butt has suddenly gone rusty and he needs a tetanus shot, something needs to happen in Dallas to turn the Stars around.

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