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Isn't it great having hockey back? We're less than a week into the new NHL season, and I'll tell you, I'm pretty excited. With games back underway -- it's about time guys! -- let's take a look at some of the more interesting developments of the season's first week:

Scoring is up: The goal of the new rules was obviously a faster-pace -- and therefore higher-scoring -- game, and if the first week is any indication, mission accomplished. The NHL has seen an average of 6.3 goals per game scored through the season's first six days, up from 5.1 in 2003-04 and much closer to the seven-plus goals per game averages seen in the late 1980s. Of course, the impact of increased scoring is negligible on fantasy hockey, by simple logic that when an entire league's offensive totals increase, it's usually spread across the board. In other words, your team might score 50 more goals this year than in it did in 2003-04, but mine will too.

Special teams play is vital: Here's where we're seeing the biggest difference in the game. Power-play goals are up 70.1 percent over their levels in 2003-04, from 1.4 per game to 2.4, though it's mainly due to an increase in power-play opportunities; we've seen an average of 13.4 power-play chances per game this season, up from 8.5 in 2003-04. Tighter penalty calling -- goodbye clutching and grabbing -- has not only sped up the game, but it's also creating more scoring opportunities via the man advantage, and as we all know in fantasy hockey, special teams play counts for a lot.

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