Each week, theScore looks at the teams, players, and other hockey figures trending upward and taking a step back.

▲ The Oilers

We knew they'd be better this season, but few saw it happening this quickly.

More than 90 percent of the schedule has yet to be played, but through seven games, the Edmonton Oilers sit atop the Western Conference at 6-1-0.

They're riding a four-game win streak after spoiling Winnipeg's Heritage Classic party over the weekend and stunning last season's Presidents' Trophy winners, the Washington Capitals, on Wednesday night. It's amazing what a healthy Connor McDavid and a locked-in goaltender can do.

Regression is inevitable, but Edmonton fans can't be blamed for having fun with the club's hot start.

Whether they're for real or simply an early-season mirage, there's reason for optimism in Oil Country.

▼ Frederik Andersen

This isn't what the Toronto Maple Leafs had in mind when they acquired their No. 1 goaltender from the Anaheim Ducks.

Andersen has allowed 22 goals in five games, surrendering four or more in four of the five contests and coughing up seven in an embarrassing loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

He was due for an adjustment period after moving from a low-key hockey market to a pressure-cooker and becoming the unquestioned starter for the first time in his career, but his early returns with the Leafs have been concerning.

Andersen hasn't had much help in front of him, and that was to be expected from one of the youngest teams in the NHL, but he's better than this.

▲ Shea Weber

Now this is how you silence the critics.

The supposedly inferior piece in the controversial P.K. Subban trade is doing everything he can to quiet the doubters, and he's making a significant statement in the early going.

Weber scored a late game-winner doing what he does best - blasting the living daylights out of the puck - on Wednesday night, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a victory over the New York Islanders.

His six assists and nine points have him tied for third among all NHL skaters, and he's logging just under 26 minutes per game - a workload only seven players have exceeded so far.

▼ The Blackhawks' paltry penalty kill

The Chicago Blackhawks are allowing power-play goals at an astounding rate.

Sure, it's only been seven games, but the Blackhawks have somehow conceded twice the amount of power-play goals as the next-closest teams, the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche.

Chicago's 46.1 percent kill rate is ugly, especially considering the majority of the damage has come on home ice.

The Blackhawks have killed only nine of 18 opposing power plays at the United Center, and they've given up five goals on eight man-advantage opportunities on the road.

It's still too soon to make drastic changes, but the NHL's modern dynasty is in trouble.

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