Oct. 19--Lessons from the last week of NHL play:
--The Montreal Canadiens, the only NHL team without a regulation loss (6-0-0), are off to the best start in franchise history -- and this franchise has a long history. What's new is they don't have to rely on most-valuable-player goalie Carey Price to save them every game because they're better defensively, with Jeff Petry playing a key role, and can roll four solid lines. They've trailed only once this season, for 2 minutes 57 seconds in a 4-1 victory over Detroit on Saturday.
Washington Capitals Coach Barry Trotz has one set of rules and those rules apply to everyone. After Alex Ovechkin didn't show up for a morning skate last week because he set his alarm clock incorrectly and overslept, Trotz made Ovechkin a healthy scratch for the game against San Jose. The Capitals lost but Trotz wins respect for not making an exception to accommodate a superstar.
The Toronto Maple Leafs (1-3-1) have been hurt by goaltender Jonathan Bernier's habit of yielding early goals. He gave up goals on the first shot he faced in his first and second starts, and gave up goals on the third and fourth shots against Pittsburgh on Saturday. That was enough for the Penguins to beat the Maple Leafs, 2-1.
Vladimir Tarasenko is reinforcing his reputation as one of the NHL's most dynamic players. He had three goals and six points in four games last week as the St. Louis Blues won at Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Winnipeg. Their Canadian trip will end Tuesday at Montreal. Tarasenko has at least one point in all six games this season and through Sunday shared the NHL lead in goals (five) and points (nine).
The Edmonton Oilers showed signs they're getting their act together, recording consecutive victories at Calgary and Vancouver. Their four No. 1 overall draft picks scored all five goals at Calgary on Saturday, two from Connor McDavid (2015) and one each from Nail Yakupov (2012), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011) and Taylor Hall (2010).
Arizona rookie Max Domi won't need much time to eclipse the NHL scoring totals of his father, Tie, who made his living as a tough guy. Max has three goals and six points in five games; Tie needed parts of three NHL seasons to score three goals.
