The NHL season is just two weeks old and about a month away from Thanksgiving, a key benchmark date in the league, as nearly 80 percent of teams in a playoff position go on to make the postseason. As teams begin to settle in, some have started hot, while others have faltered. Several players, too, have set themselves apart from the pack. Although it’s only been two weeks, reactions to this first handful of games are plenty. Let’s take a look at some knee-jerk reactions to the beginning of the season. Going into the season, many predicted the Red Wings to finish just outside the playoffs after a quiet offseason from general manager Steve Yzerman. Thanks to head coach Todd McLellan, who took over last season on Dec. 26, an electric trio of rookies in Emmitt Finnie, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Axel Sandin-Pellikka and a red-hot start from captain Dylan Larkin, Detroit has won five in a row and sits third overall in the league. After a poor opener against Montreal, McLellan called out his team’s effort. If McLe
