Colorado In First Place

I would never have predicted that twelve games into the 2009/10 season, the Colorado Avalanche would be in first place in the NHL.  I picked the Avs to finish second last in the West Conference and my prediction was not out of line with most common opinions. Colorado has a 9-3 record (with 2 losses counted as overtime ties).  That is a very good record, but it is the overtime ties that propel Colorado into first.  Without them, they would be near the top, but below Pittsburgh in the standings. For the most part, Colorado has been outshot pretty badly while winning.  They average 26.6 shots per game and allow 33.2.  This almost seven shot per game deficit is more typical of a weaker team (for example Anaheim has three wins in ten games and has an eight shot per game deficit).  Colorado has won largely due to goaltending.  Craig Anderson has been outstanding.