I mean they changed almost half the roster from last season.
If you count just before the season
42% roster overhaul
Throw in Eller and its 47% different from last season.
That's also not factoring in the kids and the progression of Protas, McMichael and even Strome although he had a good year last year as well. You really cant compare this team to last years team.
If Ovi doesn't get hurt they had the potential for 2 50 goal scorers. Just a lot of things going right for the team at the moment and as someone said earlier they had one of the toughest schedules to start the season and top 5 easiest the rest of the way.