NHL Week In Review: Kings, Blackhawks Follow Different Paths In First Week Of Season

Early Impressions From All 30 NHL Teams
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 22: Golaie Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche and Ryan O'Byrne #3 of the Colorado Avalanche defend against Dustin Brown #23 of the Los Angeles Kings at the Pepsi Center on January 22, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Kings 3-1. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 22: Golaie Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche and Ryan O'Byrne #3 of the Colorado Avalanche defend against Dustin Brown #23 of the Los Angeles Kings at the Pepsi Center on January 22, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Kings 3-1. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Kings have not picked up where they left off.

Whatever momentum the current holders of the Stanley Cup gathered as they surprised everyone by winning it all as an eighth seed last season seems to have dissipated during the lengthy lockout.

MVP goaltender Jonathan Quick let up 12 goals in his first four games after returning from offseason back surgery.

Meanwhile, the story has been completely different in Chicago. Forward Marian Hossa fired off five goals and two assists in his first five games -- his first action since being seriously injured during Game 3 of the Western Quarterfinals.

Through the first several games of the shortened 48-game, regular-season schedule, there were a few unbeatens left. There was also still one team searching for its first victory. From the hot starts in Chicago and New Jersey to the lackluster beginnings in L.A. and Washington, D.C., here is a quick look at how each team got out of the gate:

(*All records, stats through 1/26)

Before You Go

Chicago Blackhawks (5-0)

Early NHL Impressions

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