Pucks On The Net: Bet On The Hawks

Is there anyone capable of stopping the Chicago Blackhawks?

They have started the season 12-0-3. According to the Elias Sports Bureau the Hawks are just the 4th team in NHL history to record at least 1 point in each of the team's first 14 games. The other three all won the Stanley Cup! Those other teams are the 2006-07 Ducks (first 16 games), 1984-85 Oilers (first 15) and 1943-44 Canadiens (first 14).

Put your money on the Hawks this year.

By the way, Chicago's next game will be on Tuesday vs Vancouver. You know Canucks want nothing more than to go to Chicago and end the streak. The question for Vancouver will be, as always, who plays in net? Roberto Luongo started against St. Louis on Sunday night, so does Cory Schneider get the start?

Elsewhere:

• Anaheim's 30 year old "rookie" Viktor Fasth has become just the third goalie in  NHL history to win his first 8 decisions of his career. Ray Emery holds the record with 9 straight wins, although his was spread out over three seasons (from 2003 to 2005). Bob Froese also had 8 straight wins to start his career, all in January 1983.
• The Panthers have tied NHL record with 3 straight OT losses (8 teams). I'm surprised that number is only 3.
• No one was happier than me that the Panthers blew that 5-3 third period lead to lose to Tampa Bay 6-5 in OT. I chose Florida to lose in my Loser Pool, and now am one of the final few left in the pool. In this pool you can not pick the same team twice. And the best news for me is there's a $600 pot on the line and I'm the only one who can still pick Columbus. 
• It appears the New York Islanders' eccentric owner Charles Wang is hinting at selling the team. Wang takes a lot of heat, but give him credit for keeping the Islanders on Long Island. Most other owners would have moved them to Kansas City or wherever by now. 
• That being said, the once proud Islanders have long been the league laughing stock and deserve an owner who is committed to winning. 
• Things may be bleak on Long Island, but they had a couple of big victories this weekend. And John Tavares may be the best forward in the game this season.
• Congratulations to Henrik Sedin, who surpassed Markus Naslund as the Canucks all time leading scorer. I grew up loving Pavel Bure, and my all time favorite Canuck will always be Trevor Linden. But the Sedins unquestionably rank as the greatest players in team history. Henrik gets the nod due to his Hart Trophy win.
• Alexander Steen remains one of my favorite players in the league, and one of the most underrated. Good to see him on such a strong scoring streak.