ame 2 off the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers.ddddddddddddT

The season is two weeks old and still growing. Like a puppy or kitten, in two more weeks itll be unrecognizable.So what have we learned so far? What kind of grades would we hand out for each course if we were the grading type (which, of course, we are)? Here goes:Stargazing 101Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers Grade: A+ I must admit that I was skeptical McDavid was ready to hang with the games elite after missing almost half of his rookie season with a shoulder injury and then being named the youngest captain in NHL history. Never mind. The Oilers are the seasons nicest early surprise, at 6-1, and McDavid woke up Thursday morning leading the league with 11 points.Taylor Hall, New Jersey Devils Grade:?B+ The Devils have quietly moved above .500 and their moribund offense is slowly rounding into form thanks to their big offseason acquisition, Hall, who has five goals and six points in six games. Whether its because hes still ticked off about being traded or not, Hall is proving hes a pivotal part of the Devils hopes.Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks Grade: C The Blackhawks have had a weird start (see below), but one of the most curious parts of the perennial Cup contenders up-and-down first few weeks has been the lack of production from its captain. Toews talked at the World Cup of Hockey last month about how much he was looking at the coming season as a chance to a start fresh. Thats not how things have worked out so far, as he has no goals and two assists through seven games.Advanced special teams (Power-play section)Nashville Predators Grade:?A+The 2-4 Preds arent nearly the team most people thought they would be early on, but its scary to think about where they would be without their smoking-hot power play, which as of Thursday had scored 10 goals on 24 opportunities. Ryan Johansen, P.K. Subban, Mike Fisher, Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg have combined for 19 power-play points. Now if only Nashville could just figure out the rest of the game.Tampa Bay Lightning Grade:?AIts no surprise that the Lightning are off to a tremendous start in the Atlantic Division and no surprise the power play is cooking at 30.4 percent efficiency, making Tampa Bay one of just three teams north of 30 percent in man-advantage productivity. Whats so impressive is that nine different Lightning players have at least two power-play points to their credit.Washington Capitals Grade:?CWhats wrong with this picture? The star-studded Capitals -- who had the most potent power play in the Eastern Conference last season, en route to a Presidents Trophy -- have managed just two man-advantage goals on 19 opportunities. Expect water to find its own level with this talented group sooner rather than later.Ottawa Senators Grade:?DThe question is: How did the Senators get to 4-2 with just one power-play goal on 15 opportunities? And how do you operate at 6.7 percent efficiency with the games most dynamic defender, captain Erik Karlsson, on your team? Inquiring minds want to know.Advanced special teams (Penalty-kill section)Florida Panthers Grade:?AAn indication of good coaching isnt just killing penalties but not taking them. The Panthers have allowed a league-low 13 opportunities through six games. Theyve allowed just two power-play goals.Minnesota Wild Grade: ARemember when coach Bruce Boudreau had Anaheim at the top of both the power-play and penalty-kill categories in Anaheim last season? The Wild remember, as Boudreaus new charges have allowed just one goal on 21 opportunities.New York Islanders Grade:?A+Hey, lets give credit where credit is due. The only team more successful early on than the Wild at killing penalties is the Islanders, who have killed 21 of 23.Chicago Blackhawks Grade:?F-Yeah, I know theres no such thing as an F-. But if there was, Chicago would be up for it given the fact that the Blackhawks have somehow allowed 14 power-play goals on 26 opportunities. I know thats not going to last, but its still interesting to look at while the perennial Cup contenders are trapped in penalty-kill hell.Pop quiz (As in, Expect the unexpected)Thomas Vanek, Detroit Red Wings Grade:?A+The erstwhile former Wild, Canadien, Islander and Sabre somehow has come alive with the red-hot Red Wings and leads the team with eight points through seven games, including chipping in four power-play assists. Go figure.Jonathan Marchessault, Florida Panthers Grade:?B+With Jonathan Huberdeau and Nick Bjugstad out long term, Marchesseault has stepped nicely into the breach after signing with the Panthers in the offseason. He leads the Cats with eight points in six games.Max Domi/Anthony Duclair, Arizona Coyotes Grade:?DTough start for the Coyotes, who havent won since opening night. Last seasons rookie dynamic duo has been especially snakebit early on, combining for zero goals and three assists, all collected by Domi.Astrophysics (Study of goaltenders section)Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers Grade:?A+Have to admit that after watching Talbot get yanked in the Oilers loss to Buffalo almost two weeks ago I wondered if this would be the start of another tumble down the rabbit hole for the beleaguered franchise. Nope. Turns out this was the teams only loss to date and Talbot has been a rock, leading the league with six wins while posting a very healthy .927 save percentage. Talbot has played more minutes than any other goalie.Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings Grade:?A-Yes, Howard has played in just two games for the surprising Red Wings but hes been very, very good with a 2-0 mark and .984 save percentage. In a market where goaltenders are falling like flies, Howards early play might make him suddenly much more marketable than he was before the season.Cam Ward/Eddie Lack, Carolina Hurricanes Grade:?D-When I spoke with GM Ron Francis before the season, we talked goaltending and his belief that Ward, the longtime face of the franchise (at least in terms of goaltending), and Lack, who came to Carolina from Vancouver before last season, were the best options available to his team. So far that decision has backfired spectacularly, as the Canes duo has given up an average of four goals against per game and is tied for the most even-strength goals allowed in the league as Carolina has staggered to a 1-3-2 start.Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs Grade:?FIt seems a bit unfair to pile on the pride of Herning, Denmark, but facts are facts -- and the fact is Andersen, fresh off signing a five-year deal to backstop the Leafs into the future, has been a mess. He has a goals-against average of 4.29 and a save percentage of .851. Hell get better. Wont he? Sure he will. Unless he doesnt, in which case this is the first true test of the Leafs management team, which is enjoying an extended honeymoon with a squad that finished 30th last season and seems destined to finish near the bottom of the standings again if the goaltender of the future doesnt buck up.Cheap Vans Shoes UK Free Shipping . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Cheap Vans UK .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. http://www.clearancevansuk.com/ . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Wholesale Authentic Running Shoes UK . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Discount Vans Shoes UK . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph.Editors Note: You can still vote below if you feel so inclined, but we finalized the tallies and have moved on to the Final.How will you best remember Big Papi?As David Ortizs final regular season hits its home stretch, were asking fans to select the Boston Red Sox sluggers signature achievement.A week ago, we began the Big Papi Bracket with an opening round of 32 moments. Last Thursday, we revealed the Sweet 16. Monday, we moved on to the Elite Eight. Today, its the Final Four.And on Monday, the championship round.All you have to do is vote.Green Monster Region vs. Pesky Pole RegionNo. 1 seed: Oct. 17, 2004 -- With the Red Sox down 3-0 in the American League Championship Series, Ortiz hits a 12th-inning, two-run, walk-off home run against?Paul Quantrill to beat the New York Yankees and spark Bostons historic series comeback.No. 1 seed: Oct. 13, 2013 -- Ortiz sends Torii Hunter tumbling over the right-field wall at Fenway Park -- and turns a celebrating Boston cop, Steve Horgan, into a celebrity -- with a grand slam that turns the tide in Game 2 off the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers.ddddddddddddThe Triangle Region vs. Yawkey Way RegionNo. 1 seed: April 20, 2013 -- The only No. 1 seed not in October, but its a serious contender for the crown nonetheless. Otherwise known as The Speech, Ortiz addresses the Fenway faithful, the city of Boston and the entire country in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing. All right, Boston, Big Papi says. This jersey that we wear today, it doesnt say Red Sox. It says Boston. We want to thank you, Mayor [Thomas] Menino, Governor [Deval] Patrick, the whole police department for the great job that they did this past week. This is our f---ing city. And nobodys going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong.No. 1 seed: Oct. 18, 2004 -- Down 3-1 in the ALCS (after his walk-off home run in Game 4), Ortiz smacks a two-out, winning single in the 14th inning off Yankees reliever Esteban Loaiza to bring Boston within a game of tying the series. ' ' '