This season has no shortage of teams making a jump to the penthouse in the standings.

With the season just more than half way done, let's take a look at some of the potential movers and shakers who are in unfamiliar territory based on their recent history.

New York Rangers

The culture change may have happened in the off-season when GM Glen Sather was able to make the biggest splash in the free-agent market when he signed centre Brad Richards to a contract, filling the Rangers need for a first line center.  

Now by no means has Richards been a catalyst for this team, but the commitment to success echoed loud and clear among the players as they've given themselves a chance to win every time they step on the ice.  

Well, that and Henrik Lundqvist could potentially hear his name called for a Hart Trophy nomination if he keeps playing the way he has this season for the Blueshirts.    He's ranked inside the top five in goals against, as well as save percentage while sitting on the cusp for wins. 

Although their play thus far has been stellar, i don't see their future looking very bright.  This team still needs to mesh and will be up against some very stiff competition in the East.  I think the Rangers can do enough to get themselves a playoff berth, but with powerful teams like the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers, I can't see them moving past the second round.

St. Louis Blues 

When Jaroslav Halak arrived in St. Louis, he thought his days of sharing time were over.  It was his time to be...number 1.  Enter Brian Elliot.  After bouncing around over the past three seasons, Elliot landed in St Louis to backup Halak with hopes he might revive his career.

He's done that in a big way this year punching his ticket to his first All-Star game in Ottawa and being half of one of the most formidable goaltending tandems in the league along side the likes of Tim Thomas and Tukka Rask or Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider.

The Blues haven't done it pretty but, like the Rangers, their all around solid play combined with timely goaltending has propelled them to the top of the league.  The Blues have what it takes to make it into the playoffs, but might be in over their heads with teams like the Sharks, Red Wings, Canucks and BlackHawks.

Who would have thought the Rangers and Blues would be tied for first in the league this late in the season..?!

Ottawa Senators

Yes, that's right. I said the Ottawa Senators.  Erik Karlsson has been a breakout star this year and is on pace to have one of the most prolific offensive years for a defenseman in quite some time.  This spark has been great for the Sens veterans such as Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson, and newcomer Milan Michalek who was leading the league in goals before going down with a concussion.

Given how they started the season, makes this even more of a surprise.  Before the season started Ottawa may have been a clear cut number one for last place and after posting one win in their first 6 games while allowing a whopping 30 goals, they were well on their way to achieving it.  

Somehow the Senators have righted the ship for the time being and sit 4 points out of a first place tie for the league lead but i warn you, don't get your hopes up Sens fans.  I don't think that this streak will have lasting power as they fight for a playoff spot in the East against some highly talented teams.  They have to stay healthy and hope for some injuries on some other squads(Pittsburgh) to have a chance at cracking the top 8 after 82 games.