The first week of any professional sports season is always hilarious to me. Watching the experts back track and “clarify” their bold statements is always amusing. The fact is, professionally analyzing athletes is an inexact science with very few guarantees.

I won’t attempt to back pedal over some initial misreads in my NHL analysis, but I will remind everyone that it is still only Week 1 and there is a lot of hockey to be played.  There will be less than five 50 goal scorers and less than 10 players that tally over 100 points. In spite of the scoring extravaganza that has enveloped several franchises out of the gates, goaltenders will find their collective mojo.

Here are the top forwards through the first week. Don’t mortgage your entire roster to get them, but they are probably worth keeping an eye on.

5. Radim Vrbata, RW, Phoenix Coyotes

An opening night hat trick against Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers is certainly going to raise some eyebrows. Vrbata and the Coyotes have been negotiating a long-term deal to keep him in the desert and his early season hatty is certainly something to bring to the negotiating table. At 32, Vrbata is in his prime and hit the net 35 times in 2012. He’s only owned in 27% of Yahoo leagues so he’s worth a quick snag if you need a RW.

4. Steve Downie, LW/RW, Colorado Avalanche

The plucky wing is sure to become a favorite of new coach Patrick Roy with his controlled mayhem style. A knee injury derailed his 2013 campaign, but he hit the ice with a vengeance this year. A Gordie Howe hat trick in his season debut along with four shots could make him a strong sleeper pick this season.

3. Lars Eller, C, Montreal Canadiens

There certainly had to be questions about Eller’s ability to come back from the brutal hit he took in last year’s playoffs. Most of those questions were answered in the Montreal debut as he factored in all three goals in the 4-3 loss. Two goals an assist and a penalty are a great start for the resilient Danish center.

2. Nicklas Backstrom, C, Washington Capitals

The Capitals defense and goaltending looks a little shaky after two games but the playmaking half of Washington’s dynamic duo looks like he is in great from. A goal and three assists through the first two games. Three of the four points have come on the power play and Backstrom looks strong in the faceoff circle too. If he stays productive, his wingman is sure to follow.

1. Alexander Ovechkin, LW/RW, Washington Capitals

I will issue a personal apology to Ovechkin if he continues to score at this blistering pace. I was on the fence trying to decide if the Washington captain was on the down side of his career. So far this season Ovechkin has three goals, two assists and 20 shots. He has been all over the ice and looks like the player we all hoped he would be.