The NHL's Top Three Underdog Teams to Watch This Season

We're a month into the season, and it's starting to become clear which teams are going to have great years and which teams are going to have bad years.

There are a few teams that have had a bad start but will play better as the season continues.

Here are the top three underdog teams to watch this season.

3. Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have had a horrible start to their season. In fact, it was one of the worst starts they have had in the last 20 years.

During the first part of October, Wings fans were panicking because nobody knew what to do. However, the Wings' GM, Ken Holland, said that the Wings fans just needed to be patient. It looks like he was right.

The biggest reason that the Wings are winning again is because their goaltending is starting to play like they did last year. With the exception of the five goals given up to Toronto, the Wings goalies have been playing well.

The other reason that the Wings are going to turn their season around is because of the injuries that they have sustained. As long as they do not sustain any more long-term injuries, Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula will be able to come back and fit right into the lineup.

They will be coming back at a crucial time, a few months before the playoffs. We can expect to see a surge of wins that will move the Wings into a good playoff position.

2. Philadelphia Flyers

NHL fans have not been paying close attention to the Flyers. They're kind of flying under the radar. However, they are still sixth in the Eastern Conference and are on a four-game winning streak.

They are a very young team with a strong defense. In fact, they have allowed the third-fewest number of goals this season with 37.

I think that Ray Emery is a great goalie and that he's doing some great things for the team, but you don't get the third-fewest number of goals without solid defense.

Defense is going to be the key to the Flyers' success. As long as they keep the puck out of the net like they've been doing, they will see a lot more wins and probably a good spot in the playoffs.

1. Vancouver Canucks

At the beginning of the year, I said that the Canucks were going to be leading the Western Conference. However, I didn't see the losses that they would face in the beginning of the season.

Roberto Luongo didn't play well at the beginning of the season, and Daniel Sedin was injured. This took away a good portion of the Canucks' offense and put the defense in a slump.

Recently, Luongo has been playing better, and Sedin is set to return soon. With these additions, the Canucks will be able to turn their season around.

The biggest problem that Vancouver is having is on the road. At home they are 7-2-0, but on the road, they are 3-6-1. This could become a problem during February and March when the Canucks have a 14-game road trip while their home ice is prepared for the Olympics.

That will be the true test of the team, and we will see whether or not their road play has improved.

The biggest reason the Canucks will win again is the improved scouting that they have done this offseason. We saw during the preseason the added depth that the Canucks now have, which will mean more wins with the stronger youth. Eventually, these players will get used to playing at the NHL level and contribute more to the team.

This was originally posted on Tipsforhockey.com .