Every Tuesday, theScore's editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."

Calgary Flames

Plus: Chad Johnson's .968 save percentage. Sure, he's only played one game, but it's the only one in which the Calgary Flames earned a point.

Minus: Brian Elliott's .818 save percentage and 5.07 goals-against average. The good news is that those numbers are so awful, they can only improve.

The Take: The Flames' 14 goals against lead the league - no bueno. Elliott's going to get better and Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will get going, but October isn't easy, and is a pivotal month. Up next for Calgary: Buffalo, Carolina, St. Louis, Chicago, St. Louis, Ottawa, and Washington. November's first seven games - the first four on the road - are all against 2016 playoff teams: Chicago, San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Dallas, the Rangers, and Minnesota. The Flames risk blowing up their season with a slow start.

Edmonton Oilers

Plus: The Oilers boast the NHL's first star of the week in Connor McDavid, and are tied for the league lead in scoring (14 goals in three games) thanks to No. 97 and Co. Edmonton's best players have been just that: McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Jordan Eberle, and Milan Lucic have a combined 18 points already.

Minus: Cam Talbot's .869 save percentage, and Benoit Pouliot's penalty box parade.

The Take: Talbot began last season poorly too, but the difference this time around is that the Oilers have the skill and depth up front to outscore their defensive and goaltending issues. That's not a recipe for long-term success, though, so practicing Monday on what was supposed to be a CBA-mandated day off was the right call. It's too early in the season to not be putting in the work.

Montreal Canadiens

Plus: Points in two games without Carey Price thanks to two solid efforts from Al Montoya, who has a .942 save percentage. In front of Montoya, Shea Weber is averaging 26:46 in ice time and has two assists.

Minus: Alex Radulov is the only Canadiens forward without a point. Terrible free-agent signing, clearly.

The Take: Marc Bergevin deserves credit in shoring up the backup goaltender position. Montoya has had a save percentage of .919 and .920 in two of his last three seasons, and he made over 20 starts in both those campaigns.

Ottawa Senators

Plus: Kyle Turris' two goals in three games. The Senators need him healthy if they want to make the playoffs. As for Erik Karlsson, he's already doing Karlsson-like things. And Ryan Dzingel's three points are a pleasant surprise.

Minus: Dion Phaneuf - he's bad - and the play of Craig Anderson (.887) and Andrew Hammond (.800). Ottawa's allowed the most goals in the East (12) and you know that's driving Guy Boucher insane, even though the season's only three games old.

The Take: Boucher is yet to put his stamp on the team. It's difficult to judge what exactly the Senators are until that happens.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Plus: Six of the Maple Leafs' eight goals through two games have been scored by rookies, and lord knows there's not much else to say about Auston Matthews' phenomenal debut. He's a dream. While Nikita Zaitsev hasn't scored a goal, his contributions on the back end are arguably more important for a team desperately in need of another top-four defenseman.

Minus: Have you seen or heard from Nazem Kadri? And while Frederik Andersen bounced back Saturday, he's off to a rough start. It's so important he has a strong opening month, because he's the guy, for better or worse - probably worse - in Toronto.

The Take: Yeah, Matthews potted four in two periods, but there's an argument to be made that Mitch Marner has been Toronto's most impressive rookie through two games. His offensive talents are so far above average that he may already be among Toronto's top three skilled players. Marner will hit a wall at some point, but he's not going anywhere.

Vancouver Canucks

Plus: The Canucks trailed after 40 minutes in each of their two games, yet sit 2-0. Even more impressive: A combined 47 shots against through six periods and a couple of overtimes.

Minus: The top line's been quiet, and Henrik Sedin and Loui Eriksson have a combined one shot (it's Loui's, if you're wondering). The power play is also 0-for-6.

The Take: Vancouver was awful when playing from behind last season, which made erasing Sunday's 3-0 deficit all the more impressive. The Canucks don't have an identity yet, and their lineup is full of question marks due to youth being served, so let's enjoy the good times while they're here, yeah?

Winnipeg Jets

Plus: The big boys - Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Dustin Byfuglien, and Mathieu Perreault - are doing their jobs early, combining for 12 points. That Patrik Laine's on the board already is big, too. The teenager looks every bit the NHLer.

Minus: Bryan Little is out indefinitely with what appears to be a knee injury. Life isn't fair. And after the Jets waived Ondrej Pavelec, Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson have to do better than allow 11 goals in three games.

The Take: Goals against was an issue last year because the Jets don't have the firepower up front to make up for their issues in their own zone. That can't be the case again this season - it's as simple as that.

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