Each Monday during the NHL season, Rob Mixer takes a look at the biggest storylines from the hockey week that was.It isquite cliche to open your first story of the season with hockey is back!, but lets pretend I didnt. Even though I just did.What a first week of NHL action weve had, though. Holy smokes.Puck Drop: SN staff predictions for divisions, playoffs and Stanley CupIn the realm of way- Joe Mauer Jersey too-early takeaways, lets summarize where we stand: the Carolina Hurricanes lead the Metropolitan Division, the Chicago Blackhawks lead the Central Division, and the Montreal Canadiens look.decent? Its a weird world we live in.But, yes, its early very early and if the first week is any indication, were in for another unpredictable and exciting season around the NHL. In the Mixed Bag, well key in on a few of the major storylines from the previous week and try to make sense of whats going on. If it doesnt make any sense, its not my fault.Lets go!HurricaneWarningBy all accounts, the Hurricanes were the better team in their opener against the New York Islanders, but Thomas Grei s was the difference in goal. The Canes then were guests of the Columbus Blue Jackets in their home opener Friday night at Nationwide Arena, and boy, was Carolinaready to play. The Hurricanes were an aggre sive, frustrating Tony Oliva Jersey group and the Blue Jackets never adjusted and it didnt hurt that Curtis McElhinney turned in a dandy in his Hurricanes debut, making 31 saves to beat his old team for the first time.Were really here, though, to talk about Sunday. This was a good glimpse at the Rod BrindAmour-led Hurricanes, who were pushed by the New York Rangers and had no i sues answering the bell. They surrendered five goals, but scored eight times, rallied from four separate deficits and put together a ma sive third period push to pull away from the Rangers in the end. The forward depth of the Hurricanes was impre sive and they received offensive contributions from up and down their lineup, including the first NHL goal for Andrei Svechnikov to put them ahead for good midway through the third period.This looks like a different version of the Hurricanes and it could throw a fun little wrench into the Metropolitan Division race should they keep it up.Captain My CaptainLets face it, recently it seemed as if Jonathan Toews was in a distinct career downturn. His play and numbers not justifying Toews'mega contract as the Blackhawks sunk into mediocrity.His start to 2018-19 has poured cold water on that notion, at least for the time being.Toews is off to Erick Aybar Jersey the best statistical start of his NHL career, with five goals and an a sist in three games (the Blackhawks are 2-0-1). By comparison, Toews had five total points in the first month of 2016-17 and three goals in the first month last season.O Captain! has been named the 's Second Star of the Week. Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) Its a Jose Berrios Jersey stretch to proclaim that Toews is back or returned to his superstar status of a few years ago, but its a good sign for the Blackhawks who are undeniably in a period of transition with their roster to have one of their top players producing at a high level. Whether its sustainable or semi-replicable in the months ahead is one thing, but Toews resurgent opening weekend has the attention of folks around the NHL.HOT START FOR TAVARESIts not like John Tavares was going to need much time to adapt to his new team.But...this? Tavares and the Maple Leafs might be in busine s if this continues. He has four goals in the Leafs first three games, and the Leafs areoff to a 2-0-1 start with overtime victories over Montreal and Chicago.Tavares engineered a Toronto rally in Chicago on Sunday night in one of the seasons most exciting games thus far. He gave the Leafs a 3-2 lead early in the second period, added his second of the night providingToronto a 4-3 advantage a few minutes later, then capped his hat trick with a stunning wrister short-side on Cam Ward midway through the third period. Tavares third goal gave the Leafs a 5-4 lead before all hell broke loose at the United Center nece sitating overtime before Toronto secured the victory.Mike Babcocks team was already loaded Fernando Rodney Jersey with offensive weapons, and the big guns (Tavares and Auston Matthews) are off and running for the Leafs, who have aspirations of a division title and po sibly more later in the spring.