The top groups in the Western Seminar have been outright beasts through the first month of the 2023 24 NHL season.The safeguarding Stanley Cup champ Vegas Golden Knights are 11 1 1 and have one of the most factors 23 in the League. They did not shed their very first video game in regulation until Nov. 5, 4 2 versus the startup Anaheim Ducks, who are off to an unusual 7 4 0 start.The Dallas Stars, who lost to Las vega in the Western Seminar Final last period, are 7 3 1 and resting atop the Central Department. The Colorado Avalanche 7 3 0, who won the Stanley Cup in 2022, are one point behind the Stars.The Vancouver Canucks, that last made the playoffs in 2020 and have missed out on the postseason in 7 of the past 8 periods, are 2nd in the Pacific Department at 9 2 1. Ahead Elias Pettersson leads the NHL with 21 points six objectives, 15 aids in 12 video games. Colleague Quinn Hughes leads NHL defenseman with 20 factors 5 objectives, 15 helps in 12 games. Goalkeeper Thatcher Demko has a. 948 save portion and a 1.61 goals against average in 9 games, each among the top five in the League minimum three games.The Los Angeles Kings 7 2 2 are third in the Pacific, 3 factors behind the Canucks.Colorado holds the New Jersey Devils 7 3 1 at Round Field in a nationally televised video game Tuesday 10 p.m. ET; MAX, TNT, SNP, SNO, SNE, SN1. Las Vega and Los Angeles satisfy in a nationally televised Pacific Division face-off at T Mobile Field on Wednesday 10 p.m. ET; MAX, TNT, SN360, TVAS.With so much firepower on top of the Western Meeting, which group is the best a month into the season? We had five NHL.com writers make a situation for each and every of the 5 leading teams.Colorado AvalancheI like what I've seen from the Avalanche regardless of shedding three of their previous 4 video games 1 3 0. They have an embarrassment of riches in advance in forwards Nathan MacKinnon 4 objectives, 5 helps, Mikko Rantanen six goals, 8 aids, Artturi Lehkonen three goals, four helps, Ryan Johansen 4 goals, one aid and Valeri Nichushkin one goal, five aids, and possess one of the inmost defensive units in the Organization with Cale Makar three goals, 8 helps Custom Jersey, Devon Toews, Bowen Byram, Samuel Girard, Josh Manson and Jack Johnson. When they go to their best, Colorado is hard to defend. The core team really did not have an actual possibility to repeat as champs last period as a result of an injury depleted schedule, yet they're fight checked, understand what it takes to win and are starving for more. My one question to take into consideration could be goaltending, yet Alexandar Georgiev has offered simply what Colorado requires to begin the period after he was 7th in electing the Vezina Prize as the very best goalkeeper in the NHL in 2022 23. The Avalanche can play any type of style of game, whether it's a track consult with the speed in their lineup or neutralizing their opponent with a defensive plan. Mike G. Morreale, personnel author COL NYI: Makar flips in a backhand shot Dallas StarsI got to see destiny up close throughout the Stanley Mug Playoffs last season and I was amazed. And it appears like they're picking up where they left off, with the hopes of breaking with to the Stanley Mug this period. Yes, the safeguarding Cup champ Golden Knights, who the Stars shed to in the seminar final last period, get on an insane tear, however provide me the Stars in the West. They have actually been consistent too, be it home 3 2 0 or away 4 1 1. Joe Pavelski remains timeless. Roope Hintz's speed is amazing. Destiny have obtained well balanced racking up in the very early going and Jake Oettinger has actually been his trustworthy self in goal 5 2 1, 2.11 objectives against standard,.933 save portion in 8 video games. The Stars weren't far off last season. They simply played with the roster throughout the offseason and I like where they're sitting now. Tracey Myers, team writer DAL EDM: Hintz guides a come on on the rush to make it 4 1 Los Angeles KingsWhile the Kings are built for the future, I assume their time is coming a little earlier than some might have anticipated. They have the third most factors in the Western Conference, have actually won three straight, and are making me right into a follower. Their two policy losses have been to elite groups in the Boston Bruins and Avalanche, and they have shootout losses to the Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes. They're racking up 4.27 objectives per game, 2nd in the NHL to the Canucks 4.50, also with a middling power play 18.4 percent, tied for 17th with the Avalanche. I such as the items they included, specifically forward Pierre Luc Dubois, who has 6 factors three objectives, 3 aids in 11 games. Include the strides that onward Quinton Byfield has made, with 10 points 2 goals, 8 assists in 11 games, and the renewal of ahead Trevor Moore, who has 11 points 6 objectives, five helps in 11 games after he had 29 factors 10 objectives, 19 aids in 59 games last period, and you have the ingredients of an excellent team. The only concern is the goaltending, where Cam Talbot has asserted himself with a. 923 conserve percentage and 2.14 GAA in 9 video games, yet I'm team Kings completely. Amalie Benjamin, staff writer LAK MINUTES: Dubois strikes twice in span of 12 secs Vancouver CanucksThe Canucks have taken Tocchet Hockey to heart. Vancouver is playing in the mold and mildew of trainer Rick Tocchet, who took over from Bruce Boudreau on Jan. 22 and established out to alter the society of the team. Tocchet called into concern Vancouver's work ethic in his second video game as instructor and set high expectations for the group. This season, the Canucks are bent on outworking their challengers and have actually succeeded so much. They are being led offensively by Pettersson, and they're additionally obtaining significant payments from Hughes, who was called captain before the beginning of the season. Hughes was called NHL First Star on Monday for his play recently, when he had 8 points one goal, 7 helps in 3 video games. The Canucks' 6 2 win versus the Edmonton Oilers on Monday provided wins in 4 straight and at the very least a factor in 8 straight 7 0 1. Derek Van Diest, personnel writer VAN SJS: Canucks tally 10 objectives in roadway triumph Las vega Golden KnightsThe Golden Knights finally lost a video game in regulation when they allow a two goal lead escape in a loss to the Ducks on Sunday. That was the ruling Stanley Mug champs' initial regular season loss in guideline because a 7 4 loss to the Oilers on March 28 of last period, a period of 20 games. Las vega' depth, commitment to team protection and goaltending put them over the top in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season and continue to be the reason they're the finest team in the Western Meeting, and likely the NHL, this season. Las vega is 5th in the NHL in racking up at 3.77 goals per game. Eighteen skaters have scored a minimum of one objective and nine gamers have at the very least 3, led by Jack Eichel, Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson with 6 objectives each. The Golden Knights are 4th in the NHL in enabling 2.15 goals per video game with Adin Hill 6 0 1, 1.81 GAA,.938 save percentage, one nothing in seven games and Logan Thompson 5 1 0, 2.31 GAA,.923 save percent in six games giving quality goaltending. If there was any question concerning the Golden Knights' status in the West, they put them to relax with a dominating 7 0 win against the Avalanche on Saturday.