The Seven: Don't get too excited about the Canadiens and Oilers quite yet

The first calendar month of the NHL season has been promising for the Montreal Canadiens (7-0-1) and Edmonton Oilers (6-1-0).

With healthy superstars like Connor McDavid and Carey Price back in action, they lead their respective divisions as they attempt to make amends for last season’s Canadian playoff slumber.

But let’s pump the brakes a little here. Of course, it’s still early. And there are a few warning signs.

Corsi percentage isn’t always a perfect indicator of success, especially in a small sample size. Over the long term, however, it usually is quite telling. A poor Corsi percentage doesn’t bode well for a team’s points percentage – save for outliers like the 2013 Toronto Maple Leafs, 2014 Colorado Avalanche and 2015 Calgary Flames.

While the Canadiens have a mediocre shot attempts for/against percentage (49.4 percent, 16th in the NHL), the Oilers sit 22nd overall at 47.5 percent. (All advanced stats via corsica.hockey.)

The Oilers and Canadiens are also fourth and eighth overall in shooting percentage at 10.6 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively. Habs blueliner Shea Weber has been lauded for his amazing offensive start with nine points in his first eight games. But his three goals have been scored thanks to a 13.6 shooting percentage. 

It’s worth noting that the great equalizer is goaltending. The Canadiens are set there with Carey Price, providing he remains off injured reserve. Al Montoya filled in admirably, too, with a .955 save percentage, including a .938 mark on high-danger chances. That the Canadians have surrendered 49 of those such shots – an average of eight per game – isn’t ideal, though.

In Edmonton, Cam Talbot is the reigning NHL player-of-the-week and has shone so far with a .927 save percentage. One cautionary note: Talbot has allowed nine goals on 35 high-danger chances – a .743 mark. No goalie with a minimum of 1,000 minutes played last season fared worse. Is Talbot up to the challenge if the Oilers’ defence starts to crumble?

Plenty of questions. Lots of time to answer them. Let’s not too far ahead of ourselves just yet.

Now it’s time for the latest edition of The Seven – a look at the NHL’s seven Canadian-based teams.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Trending: A strong start has been sullied somewhat by three straight losses – one in a shootout and two in regulation, including a 3-0 defeat to Ottawa on Tuesday.

Making his mark: The Canucks wouldn’t have even secured that one point without Henrik Sedin. The captain had a goal and an assist in a shootout loss to the Kings last Friday.

Dubious distinction: What comes first, the chicken or the egg? Coach Willie Desjardins wants more from winger Jake Virtanen. Virtanen wants consistent linemates and more ice time. 

What’s ahead: The Oilers and Capitals visit before the beginning of an eastern Canadian swing in Montreal and Ottawa.

CALGARY FLAMES

Trending: Brian Elliott’s a good goalie again. Stopping 54 of 57 shots in consecutive wins has calmed the waters after a poor start.

Making his mark: Winger Kris Versteeg netted the only goal in a seven-round shootout in Chicago, giving the Flames a win against his former team. 

Dubious distinction: David Perron hasn’t scored more than 12 goals in any of the past four seasons. He scored a hat trick for St. Louis in a 6-4 win over the Flames last Saturday.

What’s ahead: The Senators and Capitals come to Calgary. The Flames then return to Chicago before travelling to San Jose.

EDMONTON OILERS

Trending: Don’t look now but the Oilers – who haven’t made the playoffs in a decade – have lost just once in seven games and lead the Pacific Division.

Making his mark: Benoit Pouliot was in coach Todd McLellan’s doghouse early last week. Two goals in a 4-1 win against Washington probably helped him move out.

Dubious distinction: The only recent negative? The alumni team lost 6-5 to the Jets’ old guys in an outdoor showdown in Winnipeg last Saturday.

What’s ahead: The Oilers are in Vancouver on Friday, host the Sens on Sunday and then travel east to Toronto and New York. The game next Tuesday in Toronto marks Connor McDavid’s first NHL game close to home.

WINNIPEG JETS

Trending: Teemu Selanne’s game-winning penalty-shot goal capped off a 6-5 win for the Jets over the Oilers in the Heritage Classic alumni game.

Making his mark: Patrik Laine continued his offensive exploits by netting his fifth and sixth goals in a 4-1 win over Dallas on Thursday. 

Dubious distinction: Getting shut out in a home outdoor game is less than ideal. The Jets joined the Los Angeles Kings in that club when they lost 3-0 to Edmonton last Sunday.

What’s ahead: Evander Kane can expect a less-than-friendly welcome to Winnipeg on Sunday. The Sabres visit after the Jets travel to Colorado. A home-and-home with Washington goes next week.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Trending: Goaltender Frederik Andersen has been the subject of much criticism, especially after a dreadful performance on Tuesday. He responded by making 29 saves in a 3-2 win over Florida.

Making his mark: Freshman winger Mitch Marner earned three assists against the Panthers on Thursday.

Dubious distinction: Auston Matthews leads the team with 10 points in eight games and has chipped in offensively in all but two them. Oddly, those games are the only two the Leafs have won.

What’s ahead: A busy week begins with road affairs against the Canadiens and Islanders. The Leafs then host Connor McDavid and the Oilers before visiting Buffalo.

OTTAWA SENATORS

Trending: Goalie Craig Anderson returned home to tend to a personal matter, leaving the crease to Andrew Hammond and call-up Chris Driedger. 

Making his mark: Two goals from left winger Ryan Dzingel helped an Anderson shutout stand up in a 3-0 win in Vancouver on Tuesday.

Dubious distinction: Coach Guy Boucher lost 4-1 to Tampa Bay on Saturday in what was his first game against his former team.

What’s ahead: The Senators are in Calgary and Edmonton before coming back to Ottawa to welcome Carolina and Vancouver.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Trending: Four games. Four wins. The Habs outscored their opponents 13-6 in those matches.

Making his mark: Dare we say Shea Weber is making fans forget about P.K. Subban? Weber had two goals and five points in those four contests. He leads the team in scoring.

Dubious distinction: Rookie defenceman Mikhail Sergachev was scratched in each of the last four games. He’s eligible to be sent back to the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires.

What’s ahead: The Leafs visit Montreal on Saturday, followed by Canucks next Wednesday.

MORE NHL COVERAGE ON YAHOO SPORTS: