As we pass the quarter point of the 2013-14 NHL season, there have been some pleasant surprises along the way.

(There have also been some crushing disappointments, but that’s tomorrow’s post.)

Here are 13 most pleasant surprise players, teams, decisions and trends in the NHL this season:

St. Louis Blues’ Top Line

Alexander Steen is getting all the accolades, and rightfully so given his astounding 17 goals in 20 games (with a 23.3 shooting percentage). But the Blues’ entire top line of Steen, David Backes (8 goals, 12 assists) and T.J. Oshie (3 goals, 15 assists) has been their offensive engine, scoring goals in 14 of the Blues’ first 20 games.

And yet no widely known nickname. How is this not the S.O.B. Line, again?

Josh Harding

As we wrote earlier this month, Harding’s roll for the Minnesota Wild has been one of the most inspiring stories of the NHL season, as the goalie went from a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis last season to an incredible 13-3-2 start with a 1.48 GAA and a .939 save percentage. Best of all: 19 appearances, without so much as a whisper about his health.

The Penguins Defense

After last season’s playoff disappointment, the Pittsburgh Penguins brought on Jacques Martin as an assistant coach, and his impact on the team’s defense has been instantaneous. The Pens are sixth in the NHL at 2.18 GA/G, with great organization on the defensive end, solid puck possession and smart passes out of their own zone.

Marc-Andre Fleury has a GAA of 1.90, people. That says it all.

Goaltending Surprises

Besides Harding and Fleury, others goalies have opened some eyes this season. Ben Bishop (2.29 GAA) has back-stopped the Tampa Bay Lightning to the top of the Atlantic Division, and put his name in U.S. Olympic roster contention.

Ben Scrivens sparked “Scrivensmania” for the Los Angeles Kings, going 5-1-1 with a 1.35 GAA overall and winning four starts after Jonathan Quick was injured.

Jonathan Bernier, who backed up Quick last season, has been stellar for the Toronto Maple Leafs with a 2.05 GAA and a .939 save percentage.

More stunners? How about Steve Mason of the Philadelphia Flyers, who somehow has a 2.12 GAA and a .932 save percentage despite that team’s putrid start?

Oh, and after Martin Brodeur handed his crease over to Cory Schneider, he took it back with a 7-3-2 record and a 2.06 GAA. Wait, an incumbent start goalie retaking his job after Cory Schneider couldn’t keep it? What sort of sorcery is this?!

Tyler Seguin Is Born

One hoped that a change in scenery and a prominent role on the Dallas Stars’ top line would reignite Tyler Seguin’s young career. No one could have anticipated 23 points in 20 games, a 21.8 shooting percentage and a renewed focus that he seemed to lack with the Boston Bruins.

The EGG Line

The young trio of Lars Eller, Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk has combined for 43 points, and has been the team’s top offensive weapon not named P.K. Subban for most of the season. They hate the name “EGG Line.” Oh well … different yolks for different folks.

Patrick Roy’s Avalanche

From his insane glass-shaking debut again Bruce Boudreau through the 20-game mark, Patrick Roy’s Colorado Avalanche have been anything but unremarkable. Matt Duchene’s 12 goals were a surprise. The goaltending of Semyon Varlamov and J.S. Giguere has been a surprise. Jan Hejda’s plus-14 was a surprise.

Their 15-5-0 record is an amazing accomplishment for a team that many had outside the postseason picture. And a team whose coach is nuttier than a bag of cashews.

The Olympic Roster Party Crashers

The Olympics can be a hell of a motivator for some players. Jamie Benn was left out of Team Canada camp; he responded with 23 points in 20 games. Jason Pominville was left of the U.S. camp roster; he has 13 goals in 23 games. Ryan Getzlaf (25 points in 21 games) is making an Olympic statement. Patrick Marleau (10 goals) is stating his case. And did anyone expect Tim Thomas (2.76 GAA with the Florida Panthers) to play his way back into the Olympic conversation for the U.S.?

Story continues