Week One: What We Know and What We Learned

The NHL season is seven days old and we have seen some great hockey so far.

Every year we come into the season with a good idea of what to except and who should win what. This year has given us a few surprises so far and a lot to wonder about in the next few weeks.

What We Know

Alex Ovechkin has been a beast in his three games played this year. He has five goals and four assists for a total of nine points. We know Ovechkin is great, but how long can he keep up this pace.

Washington Capitals' Offense is a juggernaut.

The Caps have four of the top five point scores so far this year (Ovechkin with nine, Backstrom—eight, Semin—seven, and Laich—six). But as we saw against Philadelphia goaltending is going to need to improve if the Caps plan on making a deep run.

Mike Richards is off to a flying start for the Flyers. Richards has five goals for the flyers through three games, tying him with Ovechkin for the NHL lead. Three of those goals came against the Capitals.

Goaltending is going to be crazy again this year.

Roberto Luongo of Vancouver sits at 1-3, Cam Ward of Carolina sits 1-2, Martin Brodeur sits at 0-2 for the Devils. Ray Emery (Philadelphia) and Miikka Kiprusoff (Calgary) sit at 3-0.

What We Still Don't Know

Rookies, how good are they really? 

Michael Del Zotto (Rangers) leads the rookies in points with three and in goals with two in the three games that have been played. James Van Riemsdyk (Flyers) has three assists in his three games. John Tavares(Islanders) has a goal and assist in his one game so far this year.

How will the Canadiens respond to the injury bug?

Is St. Louis and Phoenix that good?

The great thing about the first week of hockey is it will make you pull your hair out and question everything you thought would happen. But don't fret, the next week will be just as exciting and some things might get cleared up and others will become into question.

TOP TEAMS AFTER WEEK ONE:

1. Philadelphia Flyers  3-0-0  6 pts

2. Calgary Flames      3-0-0  6 pts

3. Washington Capitals  2-0-1  5 pts

4. Phoenix Coyotes     2-0-0  4 pts

5. St. Louis Blues       2-0-0  4 pts

6. Colorado Avalanche 2-0-0  4 pts

7. Columbus Blue Jackets  2-0-0 4 pts

8. New York Rangers    2-1-0 4 pts

9. Pittsburgh Penguins  2-1-0  4 pts

10. Montreal Canadiens  2-2-0  4 pts

Check out my blog on the Nashville Predators