Stronso

Eye-openers on the ice

By Kevin Allen, USA TODAY


NHL players whose performances have been surprising in the early going:



Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta: Tied for points lead, with 21. As talented as he is, no one expected him to challenge for a scoring title this soon, especially with injured All-Star Dany Heatley out.



Jason King, Vancouver: Untouted rookie has eight goals. Has become finisher for twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin.



Mariusz Czerkawski, N.Y. Islanders: Montreal couldn't wait to get rid of him. Now he's tied for second in the league in goal scoring.



Alex Tanguay, Colorado: He has been the subject of trade rumors almost since he entered the league. Now he is Colorado's leading scorer and tied with Kovalchuk for the NHL points lead.



Luc Robitaille, Los Angeles: The Red Wings believed he was at the end of the line last season, and entered Monday producing a point a game.



Ladislav Nagy, Phoenix: Acquired in the 2001 trade of Keith Tkachuk to St. Louis, he's leading the Coyotes in scoring.



Mike Dunham, N.Y. Rangers: Ranger bashing is such a national pastime that no one notices is noticing that Dunham's goals-against average entering Monday was 1.87 and his save percentage was .936.



Nick Boynton, Boston: He's plus 7 on a team that was supposed to be weak defensively.



Oleg Kvasha, N.Y. Islanders: Team's patience is rewarded, with Kvasha producing close to a point a game.

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