NEW YORK -- The term "expansion team" is a pejorative in hockey parlance. These teams are viewed like that shelf at the supermarket that holds deeply discounted items that have reached their expiration date, aren't selling or are damaged goods. These players are castoffs. They're misfits. They're the unwanted.
The Vegas Golden Knights are, in fact, an expansion team, even if they've yet to play like one. Their 8-1-0 record leads the NHL in points percentage (.889), and they have fewest goals allowed (19) and the second-best goal differential (plus-14) in the NHL entering Monday night's game at the New York Islanders.