from Emily Kaplin of ESPN,

How we rank: The ESPN hockey editorial staff submits selections ranking teams 1 to 31 -- taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule -- and those results are tabulated in the list featured here.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to our Week 3 edition, published on Feb. 2. Points percentages are through the games of Feb. 9.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: .808
This week: @ MTL (Feb. 10); vs. MTL (Feb. 13); vs. OTT (Feb. 15)

Who is having a better start: Auston Matthews, who leads the NHL with 11 goals in 12 games, or Mitchell Marner, who has 21 points through 13? That's a trick question; it doesn't matter. It's awesome to see the pair of 23-year-old stars shine together.

2. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: .818
This week: @ NYR (Feb. 10, 12); @ NYI (Feb. 13)

The Bruins' culture is worth praising. Amid an external expectation that Boston was nearing regresion -- the end of an era for the veteran core -- the Bruins are proving that it's going to be hard for other teams to tear down what they've built.

3. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: .850
This week: vs. ANA (Feb. 11); @ SJ (Feb. 13); vs. COL (Feb. 14, 16)

There's a lot to love about the Golden Knights' start so far, but perhaps the best thing is the way they close out games. Despite opponents having a slight edge in the second period, Vegas has outscored teams 15-8 in the third period this season.

read on for 28 more teams