Toronto Maple Leafs: Brian Burke's Team No. 1 in the NHL?

Here is a scenario that few people would have predicted during this past offseason. The Toronto Maple Leafs are (tied for) first in the NHL!

During last night's contest in Pittsburgh at the new Consol Energy Center, the Leafs had traded leads with the Pens before Clarke MacArthur potted the eventual game-winner at 10:30 of the second period off a great backhanded centering pass by Mikhail Grabovski.

While the Penguins remain winless in their new home, the Maple Leafs are enjoying a much better October than they did last year and haven't gotten off to a 3-0 start since winning their division in 1999-2000.

Rumblings throughout the media today are centered towards the lack of production from the team's top line of Kessel, Bozak and Versteeg, though there is really no cause for alarm.

A more balanced offensive attack will go a long way to reducing the pressure that was expected to be placed squarely on Kessel's shoulders during the offseason.

Jonas Gustavsson looked "tight" to start the game last night, but relaxed as it wore on and made a few spectacular saves to keep the Leafs ahead, especially in the third period.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are tied for first in the league with the Washington Capitals, which after only three games isn't really a relevant statement. However, the Leafs accrued only 14 shots on goal last night yet seem to get better, which says a lot.

This young Leafs team may be a surprise to a lot of people, given the struggles they went through last season. Dion Phaneuf is not one of them and is put off by the media's general insistence to constantly try and make comparisons to last year. 

"Everyone keeps bringing up last year,'' Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf said. "Well, it doesn't really matter right now. We're focused on this group and this year.''

Mike Brown may still be the most underrated Leaf this year, but his speed an creativity won't have him go un-noticed for long.

Ron Wilson was asked about Mikhail Grabovsi's resurgence, and said that his teammates had jokingly said that his newfound speed could be attributed to his new, more aerodynamic hair style. Wilson added that Grabo skating during this previous offseason had a lot to do with it. He didn't skate at all during the previous offseason, and it definitely showed.

The 1993-94 Toronto Maple Leafs set a record for consecutive wins to start the season with 10, and while no one has put this team in the same type of mold, this year's version has already shown signs that it may have a surprisingly good season in store for fans.