I think I am too used to the slow starts, that a hot start would like in 2009 scare me. What I would be comfortable seeing is:
- Forwards a mess, inconsistent with flashes of great play mixed with horrible lapses.
- Top 4 defense doing well, but lower pairs and inconsistent forward support leads to it looking bad.
- Over the hill veterans getting all the good ice time, while younger players sit or are on the 4th line.
- Goal-tending looks bad save % wise, but this is due to the mess in front and not actual bad goal-tending.
Leading to a bad record and a major reshuffling of our lines. The team improves and works into a playoff spot my the end of December.