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Todd Cordell
1. Toronto Maple Leafs (4-1-0)
They have a league-leading +47 scoring chance differential at 5v5 and fired 50 pucks on net in their only loss. Their offense is scary good and going to propel them to a ton of wins.
2. Los Angeles Kings (4-0-1)
Anze Kopitar looks like Anze Kopitar again, The 70s line is caving teams in, and we know their defense will be good with Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin et all leading the charge. I know it's early, but this looks like a playoff team.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets (4-1-0)
Young guns like Sonny Milano and Oliver Bjorkstrand have provided the Jackets with a little more pop offensively and Sergei Bobrovsky looks like he's ready to contend for another Vezina.
4. Chicago Blackhawks (4-1-1)
I still have questions about their defense but it's hard to argue with 25 goals in six games. Brandon Saad's return has been one of the keys as he ranks 5th in the NHL in 5v5 chances.
5. Dallas Stars (2-3-0)
Call me crazy, but I've been impressed with what I've seen from them thus far. Their defense has been stingy -- they rank 1st in Expected Goals Against/60 -- and it's only a matter of time before their offense explodes given all the firepower.
Jared Crozier
It is still very early on and there hasn't been much separation so it could easily be 8 or 9 teams staking a claim to the top 5. But that's what lists are for, so here is mine!
1. Chicago Blackhawks (4-1-1)
Made huge statement against the Penguins, reaching double digits to open the season and then downing the team that eliminated them last spring, the Nashville Predators, on Saturday
2. Ottawa Senators (3-0-2)
One of two teams without a regulation loss and the second best goal differential in the league, and 100% on the PK. And they are doing it all without the consensus third best player on the planet in the lineup.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs (4-1-0)
Matthews has scored two highlight reel OT winners, they got a monkey off their backs with win over MTL on Saturday night. One of the most exciting teams to watch, but they need to shore up in their own end to stay in the top 5
4. Vegas Golden Knights (4-1-0)
Who would have bet that the Golden Knights would win 4 of first 5? THE feel-good story of the first week and a half considering what they have dealt with off the ice too.
5. New Jersey Devils (4-1-0)
A rookie defenseman (Will Butcher) with 8 assists in 5 games? Their two top scorers are rookies and one of them is not #1 overall Nico Hischier (Jesper Bratt and Butcher).
Peter Tessier
Here they are the undisputed rankings.
1. Devils- 4-1-0 in first five games. 2nd best goal differential and tied for best record and points.
2. Kings- 4-0-1. 3rd best goal differential but that Save percentage seems a tad high.
3- Blackhawks 4-1-0. It appears the demise of the 3-time champs was a bit premature but that PDO- yikes!
4- Leafs- 4-1-0. This team doesn't give a crap it's the Honey Badger of hockey right now and so much fun to watch.
5- Golden Knights. Might as well give the upstarts some love while they can get it. Who would have thought they'd have this kind of start?
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Central Division breakout picks for 2017-18
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