theScore's new series "The Noise" will be published every Monday, and kick off each week with a quick look at teams or players making headlines, good or bad.

In what is quickly becoming common practice, the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Montreal Canadiens continue to pile up wins.

The Rangers balanced attack is one that seemingly won't falter, the Blackhawks are ... well ... the Blackhawks, and in Montreal, it's starting to look like Carey Price may never lose again.

All that being said, Price might have some inter-conference competition, while in the West there is a new sheriff in town and a slump that is raising eyebrows.

Tuukka Rask

While Brad Marchand's 16 points and David Pastrnak's 10 goals have certainly been pleasant surprises for the Boston Bruins early in the 2016-17 season, the club has Tuukka Rask to thank for their early playoff spot.

Rask cashed in his third shutout of the season on Sunday night, blanking the Colorado Avalanche. With the win, Rask now boasts a record of 10-1-0 in 11 games along with the league's third-best goals against average at 1.54 and the fourth highest save percentage at a mark of .945.

Seven times this season Rask has allowed one goal or fewer.

In case you need more convincing of just how important Rask has been to the Bruins early on, consider that in a combined four starts, Zane McIntyre and Anton Khudobin have allowed more goals in relief for Rask than the No. 1 has surrendered in 11 starts.

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers have hobbled off to a forgettable November after blazing through the league in the first month of the season.

After amassing seven wins in their first nine games in October, the team has seen a flip with just two victories through the last seven games.

On top of that, Connor McDavid has gone goalless in his last eight games, with seven assists over that span.

Of course the Oilers level of competition has certainly not been in their favor. Their last three loses have come at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars, and the New York Rangers. However, with their next four games coming against the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Stars, and Blackhawks things aren't going to get any easier for the club.

Lets just hope the first month was not a fluke.

Mark Scheifele

With 12 points in eight games in November, Mark Scheifele has shot to the top of the NHL scoring race.

The 23-year-old saw his five-game point streak snapped on Sunday against the Kings - though he did score the shootout winner. Scheifele turned in six points in four games last week on the back of a four-point outing against the Stars.

Early on Scheifele also looks to be gaining some chemistry with Patrik Laine, who has six points in five games thanks to his second hat trick of the season against the Stars. The 18-year-old now leads all players with 11 goals to his credit.

The Jets goaltending still appears to be an area of concern, but as long as Scheifele and company are able to keep filling the net, the club can rest a little easier.

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