The Noise: 3 teams making headlines this week

All seven Canadian teams missed the postseason last year - the first such occurrence since 1970 - so it's an odd feeling Monday to see two of Canada's clubs atop the NHL, and three in the top four. While it's better times ahead for many, here are three teams who made noise this week, for better or worse:

Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers sit first overall, and not in the draft lottery standings. Through the team's first six games, they've posted a 5-1-0 record, and had a strong bounce back following that 6-2 stinker to the Buffalo Sabres, going 3-0 since and allowing just three goals.

Has the future finally arrived for the Oilers? After a series of first overall picks that only amounted to more high picks, the Oilers are off to the franchise's best start since 1985-86.

McDavid has tallied nine points along the way, placing him first in the NHL scoring race, tied with Brent Burns and Brad Marchand. The Oilers made a number of roster bolstering moves leading up to the season, particularly the ousting of Taylor Hall and Nail Yakupov, and the early returns seem to have paid off.

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens started last season 9-0-0, and with Carey Price now back in the lineup, the team hasn't skipped a beat. With nine points in five games, the Atlantic-leading Habs remain undefeated in regulation.

Canadiens fans held their breath as Price was sidelined with the flu for the first three games of the season, but he has responded well since returning, grabbing a pair of wins and posting a .920 save percentage.

Backup Al Montoya was an admirable fill-in in Price's absence, going 2-0-1 with an astounding .962 save percentage.

Calgary Flames

Goaltending dragged down the Calgary Flames last season, and this year has not fared much better, despite the team bringing in two new netminders. The Flames have gotten off to an awful start, with one win in six games.

Calgary has allowed an NHL-worst 27 goals, and this summer's big addition, goaltender Brian Elliott, has struggled to find his way so far. Elliott's .930 save percentage led the NHL last season, but that number has sagged to .839 this year.

Meanwhile, the Flames could have an early goaltending controversy on their hands, as backup Chad Johnson has already seen three games, recording the team's lone win, and a respectable .901 save percentage.