Skill kills - just ask the many goaltenders who've suited up early this season.
The 2016-17 campaign is nearly two weeks old and early on teams are scoring in bunches. Teams are averaging 3.25 goals per game, a mark not seen since the 1992-93 campaign.
So what's the deal? According to Tampa Bay Lighting head coach Jon Cooper, the league's abundance of skilled youth are the culprits.
"The one thing, I think if you look at the youth that has been injected into the National Hockey League and the skill, that in itself is going to raise the scoring and coaching is not going to be able to take that out of it because the guys are too good," Cooper told reporters.
"So I believe in that sense there is going to be more scoring just because of the talent level that these young kids possess, It's unreal to watch.
"But eventually when the goalies start getting into their rhythm - they're a big part of why goals aren't scored - and when that starts to roll goal scoring is going to go down. I don't expect it to dip (like) last season, I expect it to be on the rise."
Goaltending has certainly been a question mark early this season. After goalies matched a league record by averaging a .915 save percentage last season, netminders are averaging an .898 mark through 36 games - the worst mark since the 1995-96 season.
Meanwhile, the league average 3.02 goals-against per game is also the highest mark since the '95-96 campaign.
However, the season is still early and numbers are sure to even out, even if Cooper and his coaching colleagues must take it upon themselves to do so.
"I think defense is lax, what really happens is myself and the 29 other coaches in the league will just suck the fun out of the game and play 'D' and then games will be 2-1," said Cooper.
Kovalev, 43, has not played pro hockey in two years. He last appeared in the NHL in 2012-13 with the Florida Panthers, scoring five points in 14 games.
The Finnish winger did not participate in line rushes Tuesday morning.
The 18-year-old Puljujarvi scored in his NHL debut versus the Calgary Flames, but has been held off the scoresheet in the following two games.
In the Oilers' last game against the Buffalo Sabres - in which McLellan derided his team's "stupidity" following a 6-2 loss - Puljujarvi tallied two shots and was a minus-one in 12:16 of ice-time.
After squeezing out a 5-4 season-opening win over the Toronto Maple Leaf, and a 4-3 shootout victory over the Montreal Canadiens, the Senators are looking for a jolt following a 5-1 shelling by the Detroit Red Wings.
Chabot was drafted 18th overall in 2015 and made the club out of camp following an impressive 45 points in 47 games last season with the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs.
John Tortorella's job could be in jeopardy, according to oddsmakers.
Online betting website Bodog released their list of head coaches most likely to be fired during the 2016-17 season, with the Columbus Blue Jackets bench boss leading the way with 13/4 odds.
Tortorella is in just his second season with the Blue Jackets after taking over seven games into the 2015-16 campaign. Unfortunately for the veteran coach, his team is already off to a 0-2-0 start.
Here is the full list of coaches to make the list:
One week into the season, the NHL coaches that the oddsmakers have on the hot seat: pic.twitter.com/2cLH2qJ73q
Strome, 19, was scratched for the Coyotes' season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers, in which the team won 4-3.
"It's exciting for him. He's such a great player," Coyotes captain Shane Doan told Todd Walsh of Fox Sports Arizona. "He's been awesome in our room. Enjoy it, you only get to play your first one once."
The Coyotes drafted Strome third overall in 2015. He scored 111 points in 56 games with the OHL's Erie Otters last season.
Coyotes coach Dave Tippett confirmed that rookie center Christian Dvorak, who recorded an assist against the Flyers, will come out of the lineup in place of Strome.
The team also announced that defenseman Kevin Connauton will make his season debut in place of first-year blue-liner Jakob Chychrun.
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.
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?
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.
He may be all business on the ice, but off it, Phil Kessel is quite the jokester.
The Pittsburgh Penguins released the first episode of their behind-the-scenes series "In The Room" where Kessel immediately stole the show with his constant wisecracks during the team's media day.
Kessel admitted - sarcastically - he's a "wonderful singer" and then came to the harsh realization that he might be balding. Luckily, he can still score goals.
Proceeds will go to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research and the Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation.
The mask shows various illustrations of the singer and the band in front of a white maple leaf.
Downie, 52, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor in May. Over the summer, Downie and The Hip went across Canada as part of a farewell tour.
Like many Canadians, Holtby grew up as a fan of the band and their many hockey-themed songs, and as such chose to honor Downie with his mask design.
"I am very proud to have been a part of supporting these two important funds in Mr. Downie's honour," Holtby said in a release, "and I appreciate everyone's help in making this auction a success."
Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Tuesday, October 18:
Line Stacks
LW Milan Lucic (49K), C Leon Draisaitl (44K), RW Jordan Eberle (60K), Oilers (vs. Hurricanes): It is not possible to include C Connor McDavid in a stack of his linemates, as the salaries are much too high even with a minimally priced goalie and defenseman. Draisaitl joins the top trio on the first power-play unit, and he avoids Hurricanes C Jordan Staal at 5v5.
LW Andre Burakovsky (70K), C Nicklas Backstrom (66K), D John Carlson (44K), Capitals (vs. Avalanche): The Avalanche have allowed eight goals through their opening two games of the season, while the Capitals have scored just four through their first two outings. Burakovsky has scored half of those goals, with Backstrom drawing the assists.
C Derick Brassard (54K), RW Bobby Ryan (55K), D Erik Karlsson (77K), Senators (vs. Coyotes): The Senators' second line will match up against a second line from Arizona totaling just 256 games of NHL experience. Ryan and Brassard have combined for five points through three games, while Karlsson has five of his own, tallying at least one in each outing.
Goalie Breakdown
Jake Allen (98K), Blues (at Canucks): The Canucks have registered 62 shots on goal through two games but have scored just five goals. The Blues rank eighth in the league with 3.67 goals per game through their first three. They'll drive possession all game. Allen has allowed just two goals in each of his first two starts of the season and has his best matchup yet.
Chad Johnson (96K), Flames (vs. Sabres): Johnson will receive a second consecutive start in net for the Flames, as G Brian Elliott is given an extra day of rest after his poor start to the season. He stopped 30 of 31 shots in his season debut, and he draws a Sabres team tallying just 27.5 SOG per game.
Pekka Rinne (90K), Predators (vs. Stars): Rinne stopped 22 of 24 shots in his season debut, but he'll face a much stronger offense. The Stars and Predators project to have two of the best offenses over the course of the season. They've scored a combined 15 goals through two games by each team and will play a high-paced game.
Ben Bishop (102K), Lightning (vs. Flames): The Flames have scored eight goals through three games but flashed their potential in the first two games of the season before a poor performance in their third. They'll offer Bishop a chance for a high save total, tallying 33.7 SOG per game. Bishop allowed four goals in his first start, after doing so just 10 times last season.
Bargain Plays
RW Brett Ritchie (26K), Stars (at Predators): Ritchie has two points through two games, and he has been rewarded by being bumped up to the second line with C Devin Shore. The two also stick together on the second power-play unit. They'll likely avoid the Predators' top defense pairing of P.K. Subban and Roman Josi.
C Tyler Motte (26K), Blackhawks (vs. Flyers): Motte recorded two assists in his first three games of the season while working in a bottom-six role. His strong play has been rewarded with a move to the top line, where he'll skate on the left side of C Jonathan Toews. He should be able to switch from a distributing role and take some more shots of his own.
D Alex Goligoski (26K), Coyotes (at Senators): Goligoski logged 24:57 of ice time in Arizona's season opener. If he can maintain the high usage, it will be his highest average ice time since his first 23 games with the Stars following a trade in the 2010-11 season. The Sens were torched by Detroit Red Wings D Mike Green Monday, and they remain exploitable by puck-moving defenders.
Top Fades
C John Tavares (75K), Islanders (vs. Sharks): The Sharks are allowing the eighth-fewest shots against per game through three games, While they've been outscored 10 to nine in those contests, Tavares has just one goal on nine shots of his own. It may take some more time for he and new LW Andrew Ladd to reach their true potential.
LW Alexander Steen (59K), Blues (at Canucks): The Canucks have over-performed to win their first two games of the season, doing so in the most boring fashion possible. They've scored just five goals while allowing only four. They won't win many games by season's end, but they are containing the production of their opponents thus far, limiting appeal.
D Drew Doughty (48K), Kings (at Wild): The Wild have allowed just 24 SOG per game through their first two outings, ranking third in the NHL. Doughty is logging an impressive 27:42 of ice time, but he has just five SOG in two games played.
Contrarian Options
C Evgeni Malkin (72K), Penguins (at Canadiens): Malkin may be faded by many with a matchup in the hostile environment of the Bell Centre in Montreal. It is also the Canadiens' home opener. Still, Malkin has three points in three games, and he's averaging his most ice time since the 2011-12 season. He'll continue to have a bigger role with C Sidney Crosby sidelined.
LW Johnny Gaudreau (66K), Flames (vs. Sabres): Gaudreau has been shut out through three games, tallying just one assist. After registering four SOG in each of his first two games, he fired just one in his third. The Sabres have allowed six goals thus far on just 57 shots.
RW Corey Perry (69K), Ducks (at Devils): The Devils' offseason moves to improve their offense have led to a much more wide-open style than that typically associated with the franchise. Their 34 shots against per game ranks fifth in the league. Perry has taken nine SOG over his past two outings.
