Are you ready for some hockey? The moment hockey fans have waited for all summer has finally arrived the opening week of the NHL season.  Same faces in some new places, a fresh start where everyone has a chance to win the ultimate prize. I have predicted a Philadelphia Flyers-Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup Final as both teams come in re-tooled but with some big question marks.  Let’s break down the Pucking Awesome first week Hat Trick, or the top three storylines I am watching for this week.

The House That Crosby Built

The Pittsburgh Penguins open up their new digs on Thursday against their inter-state rival Philadelphia Flyers followed by a weekend match up with the team that knocked them out of the playoffs, Montreal Canadiens.  The Penguins 167^th straight sellout will open the CONSOL Energy Center as the players get the red carpet treatment coming into the stadium.

With Crosby coming off a hip flexor injury and the team for the first time in three seasons not making the Stanley Cup Final, I will be watching these first two games to see how they respond.  The Penguins are the sexy pick to represent the East this season; they have the big match up on New Year’s vs. the Capitals, so this is a big season for the Penguins. They want to prove they are back to reclaim the top spot in the East and facing the team that finished their last season and the team that knocked them off that perch is a perfect way to open a new building and new season.

Head Hunting No More?

Rule 48 in the NHL official rulebook will be the most watched rule this opening week and all season.  As the NHL tries to curb illegal checks to the head it will be important to see how the referees enforce this rule right at the beginning. The player can now be given a five-minute major penalty for a hit to the head; they also can get an automatic game misconduct, as well as possible supplemental discipline if deemed appropriate by the League.

For the NHL to really get rid of these types of hits that we continually saw knock stars of action last season they will have to act quick and fierce.  I will be watching out for the first suspension based on this rule to happen this first week to show the players that this is the way it will be.

We Are Going Streaking

The longest active winning streak on opening night belongs to the Phoenix Coyotes who will be looking for their fifth straight win when they open up in Prague against the Bruins.  Across the Baltic Sea in Stockholm is where the Columbus Blue Jackets will look to extend their opening day winning streak to four games.

The NHL Face-Off event will feature the longest active undefeated streak as the Montreal Canadiens look for six straight against arch-rival Toronto Maple Leafs.  They will be without Michael Cammalleri, who was suspended for his slashing of the Islanders’ Nino Niederreiter, and might be without starting goalie Carey Price, who has the flu.

On the other end of the spectrum the longest active winless streak in season openers is shared by the Anaheim Ducks (0-3-0), Dallas Stars (0-1-2) and defending Stanley Cup champions Chicago Blackhawks (0-2-1).  I will be watching to see if any of these streaks continue in some big matchups over the weekend.

Five out of eight games were decided in overtime or a shootout, we saw the goal of the year (CLICK FOR AMAZING GOAL), a player get knocked unconscious (CLICK FOR BIG HIT), and a slaughter in Calgary (Chicago Blackhawks 7, Flames 1).

In Carolina, the league’s two worst teams—the Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs—scored twice in the final 30 seconds including the tying goal with 2.9 ticks left on the clock to force extra time.

You want a good gauge on how great this night was?  The buzz on NHL action at ESPN around midnight was greater than the excitement over Dolphins running back Ricky Williams’ 3 touchdowns that probably won fantasy football players their week 11 games after just one night.

Now, with each team having played roughly 20 games we’ve reached the quarter pole of the season—exactly what did we know and what have we learned?

We know Alex Ovechkin is the league’s best goal scorer, but we didn’t know just how great he is.  In 15 games so far this season, he has 15 goals and despite missing over two weeks with a shoulder injury, he still leads the league in shots on goal with 87.  Assuming he stays healthy the rest of the way, there’s no reason to believe he can’t reach 70 goals and another Hart Trophy will be in Ovechkin’s hands.

I knew the L.A. Kings would be better this year, I never imagined they’d be this good or Anze Kopitar would rapidly become one of the game’s elite.  With 14 goals and 32 points, Kopitar would win the MVP for players not named Ovechkin.

We know the Blackhawks are one of the best teams in the league, but we didn’t know just how good they would be.  Star winger Marian Hossa hasn’t even touched the ice yet and the hawks are 13-5-2.  Personally, I thought they’d have to merely tread water until Hossa made his debut.  With his return imminent, it’s time for the league to be very afraid of the uprising in the windy city.

The Blackhawks already rank near the top of the league in goals per game, 2^nd in goals against per game (47 goals allowed in 20 games) and have the top penalty killing percentage in the league–all  while being hit hard by injuries thus far (Adam Burish, Ben Eager, Jonathan Toews, Dave Bolland and Brent Seabrook) have all missed multiple games.  Not only are they emerging as a legitimate cup contender but this might be the best coaching job of Joel Quenneville’s career.  He’s the early nominee for coach of the year.

On the flip side, we knew the Maple Leafs would be bad—3 wins in 20 games is another story.  However, we didn’t know the Carolina Hurricanes would be giving Toronto a run for their money in the battle for the top draft pick in 2011.  Last year’s eastern conference runners-up have 4 wins in 21 games and their best player (Eric Staal) and star goalie (Cam Ward) are both on IR.  It’s already time to focus on Duke and UNC hoops in Raleigh.

Sure, number 1 overall draft picks could go the way of Alexander Daigle or Patrik Stefan, so while it’s safe to say we knew Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos would be a star we didn’t know he’d be the main attraction in Florida.  With 14 goals already and the aforementioned goal of the year, Stamkos has quickly become a force.    

On the other hand, nobody knew about the rapid decline of teammate Vincent Lecavalier.  Coming off a poor season, the Lightning signed their veteran center to a multi-year extension, which was supposed to put his mind at ease by ending any and all trade talk.  Lecavalier has responded with 4 goals and just 18 points in 19 games and is no longer an All-Star caliber player.

Meanwhile, we knew Islanders rookie John Tavares—the No. 1 overall pick in 2010—would be good.  There were too many Sidney Crosby comparisons for him to disappoint.  Yet, he’s somehow exceeded expectations.  While his 9 goals and 10 assists are mighty impressive, we could not have known he’d be able to lift his lifeless franchise out of the cellar and into the hunt for a playoff spot.  Keep in mind, this is still without goalie Rick DiPietro, who still hasn’t played this season but is nearing a return.  Could there be playoff hockey on Long Island?  The fact that this question is even legitimate is completely shocking.    

Finally, we all know hockey is a physically grueling sport that can be dangerous at times but dirty hits and concussions have entered dark territory.  The NHL needs to find a way to better protect its players or we’ll soon be reading about permanent brain damage like NFL legends battle with.  We don’t know how the NHL can do this—maybe bigger helmets or stricter penalties and suspensions?  Whatever the solution, it better come quick.

We know there’s still plenty to learn with many months remaining, but early reviews on the first quarter are looking good—we know the 2009-10 season could be one for the ages.