Just three weeks into the 2021-22 NHL regular season, only 4 of the 32 teams remain purely undefeated, meaning they have no regulation or overtime losses so far. Of those 4, only 2 are perennial contenders in the Carolina Hurricanes and the St. Louis Blues. Both currently stand at 4-0-0. The Hurricanes have tied the 1995-96 team for the second-longest winning streak to start a season in their history, going 5-0-0 to begin the 2019-20 season. The Blues have outscored opponents 22-11 and lead the NHL with an average of 5.50 goals per game. St. Louis currently has goals from 12 players, five from David Perron, who scored a hat trick in a 7-3 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
The other two remaining undefeateds are perhaps the most surprising ones: The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, both rare playoff teams, have records of 5-0-0. The Oilers lead the Pacific Division in part because of captain Connor McDavid (13 points; six goals, seven assists) and forward Leon Draisaitl (11 points; four goals, seven assists). Another key element has been forward Zach Hyman, who signed a seven-year contract on July 28, and his five goals are second on the Oilers behind McDavid.
Meanwhile, the Panthers have impressively managed to score first in each of their games so far this season. Though rookie forward Anton Lundell is day to day with an upper-body injury, he's still good to go and is one of five skaters tied for second on the Panthers with five points, with two goals and three assists.
So with that in mind, it's already looking like the remainder of the season will be interesting to watch.
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