The Power 3: Blues, Oilers, Penguins making headlines early

Every Monday, theScore's NHL editors will shine a light on three teams and three players that made headlines - for good or bad reasons - over the past seven days. Welcome to "The Power 3."

Teams

1. St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues reeled off three straight wins in four days to open the season, and the victories weren't against pushovers.

St. Louis beat three teams that made the postseason last year: Chicago (away), Minnesota, and the Rangers. After allowing only 40 shots over their first two games, the Blues looked tired Saturday against New York, but backup goalie Carter Hutton made one hell of a first impression, stopping 33 of 35 shots in his debut with his new team.

Even more encouraging is the play of Paul Stastny so far. After scoring only 10 goals last season, and failing to hit the 50-point mark for the second straight season with St. Louis, he now has two goals and four assists in three games.

If this is Ken Hitchcock's final season, it appears the Blues are hell-bent on making it count.

2. Edmonton Oilers

If the playoffs began Monday, the Edmonton Oilers would be taking part. And that's something, yeah.

In all seriousness, while the club played a stinker Sunday against Buffalo, the fact remains: Edmonton has the league's highest-octane offense, with 14 goals through three games.

Having that Connor McDavid guy certainly helps, and joining him in the top 10 in league scoring are Leon Draisaitl (five points) and Jordan Eberle (four points). Sure, it's early, but when you're the Oilers, you take any and all positives you can get your hands on.

Cam Talbot hasn't been good yet, but the silver lining is that he can't be much worse than he was Sunday against the Sabres. The Oilers remain one of the more fascinating teams to watch. They even canceled their day off!

3. Pittsburgh Penguins

No Sidney Crosby, no problem. Not yet, at least.

The Pittsburgh Penguins picked up where they left off last season, winning back-to-back games to open their quest to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. Like the Blues, the Pens beat a couple of very good teams in their archrival Capitals and Ducks.

While all signs point to Crosby's latest concussion not being too serious, any head injury to No. 87 is enough to give anyone involved in hockey - whether professionally or as a fan - pause. And that means questions about the captain's health won't subside until he's back playing in games that matter.

Let's face it: Whether the Penguins are winning or not, Sid is missed.

Players

1. Auston Matthews

Obviously.

Four is the magic number. Four goals in Auston Matthews' first two periods of NHL action, and now, none in his last four.

How the kid responds to adversity will be one of the more interesting storylines to watch, because make no mistake, they're the Toronto Maple Leafs, and adversity is in their blood.

2. Richard Panik

If you had Richard Panik being tied for the league lead in goals through the first five nights of the season, you're lying.

Panik has always teased with his speed and skill, and after stints in Tampa Bay and Toronto, it would be very Chicago for Panik - only 25 - to find a permanent and productive home with the Blackhawks. He's making only $875,000 and is a restricted free agent in July.

3. Marc-Andre Fleury

Whatever, Matt Murray.

Marc-Andre Fleury is back in the Penguins' net to start the season, and he looks like the Stanley Cup-winning goaltender that he is.

The 31-year-old, whose days in Pittsburgh appear numbered due to financial reasons and the coming expansion draft, is the No. 1 until Murray returns from a broken hand, and, well, who knows what happens then.

Fleury's stopped 73 of 77 shots he's faced so far. It's a busy week for Pittsburgh, with four games in six nights, beginning Monday against Colorado, which means it's a busy - and important - week for Fleury.

Honorable Mentions

• The Panthers and Lightning are a combined 4-0, and Florida's allowed only two goals.
• Jonathan Marchessault is loving life on the Panthers' top line - he has two goals and two assists in two games.
• The Calgary Flames have allowed the most goals in the league. The more things change ...
• The Anaheim Ducks are allergic to October.
• Jonathan Quick's absence makes the Los Angeles Kings a very interesting team to watch over the next two months.
• We see you, David Pastrnak. You too, Alexander Wennberg.