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NHL Eastern Conference’s Top 5 Players So Far This Season

By Daniel Mcclue

Oct 20, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Eastern Conference: Boston Bruins center Ryan Spooner (not pictured) scores a goal past Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Eastern Conference: Boston Bruins center Ryan Spooner (not pictured) scores a goal past Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

After two weeks of the hockey season, the standings – and points tallies – are starting to take shape. While there have been some surprises it’s important not to overreact just eight games in. Of course, overreact is exactly what I’m going to do.

The second part of this two-part series leads us to the top 5 players in the Eastern Conference so far. Montreal and Detroit have stormed out of the blocks – to the surprise of most. The Canadiens currently sit as the only team in the league not to lose in regulation.

At the bottom of the Conference, just two points separate last place from the first Wild-Card spot. The streaky Bruins started 3/1/0 and have since lost their last three games – they’ve been incredibly unfortunate with injuries. Luckily, they bounced back on Saturday with a healthy starter notching a shutout. The Capitals started 3/0/1 before losing their next two – including a loss to the rampaging Edmonton Oilers.  Washington too bounced back on Saturday with a win over Vancouver.

The Canadiens have had sensational goaltending, while the Maple Leafs are being led by their star rookie.

Let’s dive right into our top 5 players.

Oct 24, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber (6) warms up before the first period against Philadelphia Flyers at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber (6) warms up before the first period against Philadelphia Flyers at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

Shea Weber, Montreal Canadiens – 10 points in 9 games

Weber gets bonus points for his start to the season. His summer was shrouded in dismay as the Canadiens shipped out P.K. Subban in favor of the big-bodied blue liner. The trade was immediately met with disappointment, and will most likely prove to be a bad trade in the future. But for now, Weber is showing his resilience with a tremendous start to the season.

His 10 points leave him joint third (with 10 others) in the points race, and he’s averaging 25:53 minutes per game, the third-most in the Conference. Weber has three multi-point games already this season with four of his 10 points coming on the power play.

Weber can do it all, whether it’s even strength or on the special teams. He’s added a ruggedness to the Canadiens defense, while maintaining a sharpshooter from the blue line. His leadership qualities have obviously been emphasized, arguably the main reason Montreal traded for him.

They’ve started the season off to a flier, as they did last year. Weber’s experience may help them sustain this level of play for longer.

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