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Top 5 moments of the NHL season's first quarter

Andre Ringuette / National Hockey League / Getty

Believe it or not, one quarter of the NHL season has already been played.

Yup, it's true. After Friday's contests, 25.37 percent of the schedule is in the books, according to NHL Public Relations.

There's plenty of hockey left to be played, but in honor of the quarter mark of the campaign, let's reflect on the top moments so far.

5. Showtime

Patrick Kane submitted an incredibly strong candidate for goal of the year with this effort versus the Canadiens.

The reigning MVP showcased his silky stickhandling for the umpteenth time in his career, completing the remarkable individual effort with a top-corner finish.

4. McDavid breaks in new home

The captain opened his new home in grand fashion.

In his first game as Oilers leader, Connor McDavid submitted three points, including a brilliant penalty shot effort to christen the sparkling new Rogers Place.

3. No. 1 vs. No. 2

The first meeting between 2016's top picks did not disappoint.

It was the Maple Leafs versus the Jets, but Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine stole the spotlight - especially the latter.

With Toronto staked to a 4-1 lead, Laine nearly single-handedly evaporated the deficit, completing his first career hat trick with a bullet wrister immediately after Matthews couldn't convert a chance of his own.

2. The debut

Matthews' moment came in his first try.

In his initial taste of the NHL, Toronto's No. 1 pick became the first player in league history to score four goals in his debut, setting the hockey world ablaze on opening night.

1. Anderson's shutout

Hockey itself took a back seat on this one.

In his first start after the club announced his wife's cancer diagnosis, Senators netminder Craig Anderson stifled the Oilers for an uplifting 37-save shutout.

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