The first episode that show Hinata is filler, that episode is based on the first chapter of the manga. Hinata is not in the manga up until chunin exam arc.
Naruto truly love sakura. The same could be said with the other 12 years old character, be it sakura, Hinata, ino, and even lee. The different is that only two of them are main characters.
The highest point of naruto love sakura is near the end of part 1 aka poal and the hospital scene.