NHL scores 2016: The Canadiens’ early season success has them in a tie atop the NHL

Take a look at the top teams in NHL right now. Go on, do it.

Too lazy? I’ll do it for you.

There’s a lot to break down here. So much so that we probably don’t have the time or your attention spans to do so, so we’ll just stick with the Canadiens because they’re a bit more interesting.

Yes, you’re reading it right. The Montreal Canadiens are in a three way tie for first in the NHL. They’ve yet to lose in regulation and have the biggest goal differential in the NHL with a plus-11. That last fact isn’t so surprising because they have Carey Price, but remember he’s only played their last two games.

I’ve been hyper critical of the Canadiens organization, and for good reason. They’ve made moves that, on paper, make them a weaker team. Moves that have alienated a good portion of their fan base and have confused fans and media alike across the league. Yet, they’ve been able to right the ship in an area that so failed them last year: goaltending.

Al Montoya held down the fort for Price in the first few games. Now, their biggest asset is back and probably chomping at the bit to play close to a full NHL season. And not only that, they’ve been playing well. Shea Weber has fit right in on the back end. Brendan Gallagher, Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk all have five points in five games as well.

Earlier this month, I said the Canadiens aren’t a “good” team. They’ll have to do a lot more to convince me of their worth, but this as good of a start as Montreal could have wished for.

Scores

Blackhawks 5, Maple Leafs 4 (SO)
Rangers 4, Capitals 2
Canadiens 4, Bruins 2
Flyers 6, Hurricanes 3
Lightning 4, Senators 1
Panthers 5, Avalanche 2
Red Wings 3, Sharks 0
Devils 2, Wild 1 (OT)
Predators 5, Penguins 1
Blue Jackets 3, Stars 0
Kings 4, Canucks 3 (SO)
Blues 6, Flames 4

* * *

Get the biggest NHL news, rumors and analysis in your inbox every morning!

* * *

Three things we learned

1. Jimmy Vesey, Taylor Hall are making impacts with their new clubs

The Rangers and Devils newest acquisitions have made their presences felt through the first few weeks of the season. Vesey’s two goal night for the Rangers was the difference in New York’s 3-2 victory in Washington.

Meanwhile in New Jersey, former Oiler Hall helped the Devils best the wall that was Devan Dubnyk and the Wild in overtime for their second win of the season.

2. The coaches challenge was finally effective for an egregious offside!

I won’t go over my immense dislike about the offside coaches challenge again, but finally in Florida it was used for what the original purpose should have been.

Vincent Trocheck was clearly offside by a country mile as the puck was deflected out of the zone before being brought back in with the forward inside. It was an easy call, unlike the ones that are literally too close for the human eye to detect.

But hey, the Panthers won regardless so no one should feel shortchanged here.

3. The Blackhawks PK is still bad

Sure the Blackhawks won in a shootout over the Maple Leafs, but they’re still having problems on the penalty kill.

We outlined yesterday exactly what is wrong with Chicago’s penalty kill. Clearly they didn’t listen.

Impact Moment

As is tradition, the late west coast game of course went into overtime. And guess who, it was the Vancouver Canucks who are also unbeaten in regulation after scoring three straight goals in Los Angeles. Here’s the tying goal from Alexander Edler.

Stat of the night