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The NHL's most unsustainable trends

Through 18 starts this season, Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford has a .955 even-strength save percentage. What other early-season trends are prime for a correction? AP Photo/Reed Saxon

As the season passes its quarter mark, we can begin identifying contenders and "maybe-next-year" teams as well as potential award winners. But, it is too soon to overreact to the results in a 20-25-game sample.

Whether you're a fantasy player or an NHL general manager, spotting unsustainable trends can be the difference between making a smart decision and a costly one. As far as the analytics revolution has come, one of its earliest concepts -- regression to the mean -- is still one the most valuable.

With that said, let's have a look at some of the players and teams whose early-season numbers are smoke and mirrors:


The Chicago Blackhawks' incredible goaltending