Stars: Chicago Blackhawks, 6-0-1 and San Jose Sharks, 6-0-0*
The Chicago Blackhawks are off to the best start in franchise history. Averaging almost four points a game and sporting the second best penalty kill in the league, Chicago is proving once again that the Central division is one of the toughest in the league.
Patrick Kane, RW: 2 goals, 8 assists, 10 points
Marian Hossa, RW: 5 goals, 4 assists, 9 points
Jonathan Toews, C: 4 goals, 3 assists, 7 points
Corey Crawford, G: 5 wins, .929 SV%, 1.78 GAA
The San Jose Sharks are out to an amazing start as well. With a league leading +16 in goal differential, the Sharks are out to their best start since the shootout rule was established in the 05-06 season. With three players in the top five in points, the Sharks are showing that their fire power is not to be taken lightly.
Patrick Marleau, LW: 9 goals, 5 assists, 14 points
Joe Thorton, C: 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points
Joe Pavelski, C: 3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points
Antti Niemi, G: 5 wins, .933 SV%, 1.97 GAA
Slackers: Florida Panthers, 1-5-0* and Nashville Predators, 1-2-3*
The Florida Panthers have started the season with the worst record in the NHL. With only one win in six games and no overtime losses, the Panthers have a league low, two points. They also sport the unfortunate league lead in shots against per game with 34.7. With right winger Kris Versteeg on IR with a groin injury, the future doesn’t look bright. 
Kris Versteeg, RW: Injured Reserve; 2011-2012 production: 23 goals / 31 assists / 54 points
Stephen Weiss, C: 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point (2nd on team in points for the 2011-2012 season)
Dmitri Kulikov, D: 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points
Jose Theodore, G: 1 win, .904 SV%, 3.47 GAA
The Nashville Predators have shocked most with their lack of production during the first week of this shortened season. They hold the lowest shots on goal average in the league with 23.2. The concern for the Preds should be how Captain Shea Weber is playing. With a team leading 16 shots on goal, Weber has yet to bury a shot in net. 
Shea Weber, D: 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points (2011-2012 tied on team for 3rd in goals and 4th for points)
Craig Smith, C: 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points
Richard Clune, LW: 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, 3 fights that fans on hockeyfights.com have voted he didn’t win.
Pekka Rinne, G: 0 wins, .899 SV%, 2.68 GAA (1 assist, 1 point)
Suckers: Jannik Hansen, RW, Vancouver Canucks and the January 27th NHL Officiating Crew Sharks/Canucks Game
Right before opening the opening face off of the January 27th game between the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks, Canucks Right Winger, Jannik Hansen, took the opportunity to cross-check NHL referee David Jackson. The entire NHLOA crew were apparently preoccupied with Alex Burrows and Logan Couture and didn’t see the cross-check or just didn’t care.
I’m at a loss for who was the biggest sucker, Hansen or the officiating crew for letting him get away with it. Of the two, who do you think should receive this week’s sucker?
Photos courtesy of NHL.com
Video courtesy of HockeyWebCaster
*Prior to games played on January 31, 2013
