Since the season started 3 weeks ago, the NHL is into game seven of the 82 game schedule. The 2015 Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks aren’t looking as hot as seen last fall.

“I’m actually very excited for the upcoming season,” said Plainfield Hockey Player Andrew Collins. “I can’t wait to see my favorite teams kick some butt.”

The Hawks are at the bottom of the Western Conference with the record of 4-3, looking up at the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators, who are both 6-1 with former Hawks players such as Johnny Oduya and Patrick Sharp who are now on the Dallas Stars.

“I think the Dallas Stars will be really good this season,” said Owen Faron. “I think some of the traded Hawks players will look good in green!”

The Dallas Stars unfortunately didn’t have a Stanley Cup playoff run last season. “We definitely have the skill and potential to have a playoff run this year” said Head Coach Lindy Ruff to NHL.com. Although last year wasn’t the greatest season for them, they have new players to help them reach their goal.

In the Eastern Conference the Montreal Canadians are leading the pack. The Canadians are making a statement for their route the playoffs starting off the season 7-0. Former University of Michigan player, and representative of the USA in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Max Pacioretty leads the team in points with 7 goals and 1 assist.

“I think Max Pacioretty is sick, when he played in the Olympics I was impressed,” said Junior Matt Hammerquest.”

The top teams in the playoffs last season are looking as if they won’t be the same team as before. The Anaheim Ducks start the new season 4 games under .500 along with the Winnipeg Jets improving slowly with a record of 5-2.

The Ducks losing streak is continued from their performance from the Western Conference Finals last season against the Blackhawks.

“I really though the Jets would make it far in the playoffs last season, it was a tough lost in game 7,” said Junior Trevin Evoy.

Whether you call them the most faithful or most foolish for spending so much time on a league that is locked out for the second time in the last 8 years, the NHL has the most loyal fans of all sports based off of home attendance, merchandise sales, and TV ratings.

“Without a doubt, I will always be a fan of the NHL because it is the greatest game in the world,” said Senior Jeremy Cox.

The NHL season is getting off to a great start. Teams are still trading and coaching problems persist with the Vancouver Canucks Head Coach John Tortorella and the Buffalo Sabres Head Coach Ted Nolan and Assistant Mike Sullivan being fired.