What have we learnt so far? Well one week in most teams have played either 4 or 5 games each, and most of the divisions are finely balanced. Its still early days of course but the Chicago Blackhawks are looking good at 5-0 right now. the reeled off 2 big scoring victories against both Western Conference finals teams, before 3 narrow wins by a 3-2 scoreline. Either way its impressive to beat Los Angeles, Phoenix, St Louis & Dallas. The Central division looks a good one, with St Louis currently standing at 4-1 (their only defeat coming in Chicago), and the Rookie Tarasenko, looks more than at home in the NHL. Both Nashville and Columbus will struggle this season as expected, but I do fear for the Wings. Standing at 2-2, they have yet to find any real form, but they look the weakest Red Wings team I can remember.
San Jose are also unbeaten, albeit having only played 4 games, but they have found the net 19 times during that time. Anaheim are also looking good at 4-1 and are much improved on last season, with Teemu Selanne defying the sands of time to lead his team once more. Both Western Conference Finalists, Phoenix and Los Angeles, only have a single win each, the Kings' solitary victory coming against the Coyotes last night. That leaves Dallas who are at 2-3, their 3 narrow losses coming against 3 of the best teams, in the West, Chicago, St Louis & Minnesota. The 2 wins, coming against Phoenix and Detroit, were orchestrated by Jaromir Jagr, who needs to be kept fit along with line-mate Roy.
The Northwest Division, is so much tighter. Vancouver who lost their opening 2 games, now find themselves top of the division on 5 points, while Minnesota, who looked the real deal after wins against Colorado & Dallas, then slumped to losses to Nashville & Detroit. The Wild still have enough quality to do well this season. Edmonton & Calgary both look poor but the Oilers find themselves with 4 points, tied with the Wild and Avalanche. The Flames sole victory came against Edmonton. Colorado at 2-2 should make the playoffs on current form.
The 3 best teams in the East are New Jersey, Boston and Ottawa. After the first round of games last saturday it was Pittsburgh, Florida & Tampa Bay. New Jersey look really good right now at 3-0, but after a disastrous 0-3 start the Flyers are on a 4-way tie on 4 points with Pittsburgh, the Islanders and the Rangers. The latter also getting off to a poor start, that included a huge loss the the Penguins, who have failed to win since.
The Bruins at 3-0-1 (7 points) and the Senators at 3-1 (6 points) are looking strong too in what is an average division. Toronto and Montreal are both poor teams but find themselves on tied on 4 points with Buffalo who looked good at the start of the week but are starting to slide now.
The South East division still looks the hardest one to call. The Florida Panthers, looked like they could do something this season, especially on opening night after beating the Canes 5-1, but they have since lost 4 straight that has included
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