Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

10/17/2014 at 11:28am EDT

DOWN TO THE WIRE
Of the seven games contested Thursday:

* All seven were tied or within one goal entering the third period.

* Four teams overcame third-period deficits to pick up victories (NYI, DAL, NYR, OTT).

* Two teams fought back from multi-goal deficits to earn wins (DAL, OTT).

* Five teams rallied from a deficit at any point in the game to post victories (NYI, DAL, NYR, MTL, OTT).

* Three saw the tying or winning goal scored in the final 10 minutes of regulation (SJS-NYI, DAL-PIT, COL-OTT).

ISLANDERS EDGE SHARKS TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED
In a matchup of undefeated teams, John Tavares scored the decisive goal in the shootout to power the Islanders to their third 4-0-0 start in franchise history (also, 1976-77 and 2001-02).

* The Islanders overcame a pair of one-goal deficits, including a 2-1 margin entering the third period. They led the NHL last season with 10 victories when trailing after 40 minutes.

* Facing their potential first loss of the season, Kyle Okposo scored in the third round of the shootout to extend the tiebreaker. Tavares then scored in the fifth round, his third career game-deciding goal, for the win (10-for-34, 29.4%).

* Tavares posted 0-2—2 for his fourth consecutive multi-point game. He is just second the player in Islanders history to open the season with four straight multi-point performances. The other: Mike Bossy, who started the 1984-85 campaign with seven consecutive multi-point games.

* Tavares now leads the League with seven assists and nine points through four outings. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is just the third player in Islanders history to record at least nine points in the team’s first four games of a season. The others: Bryan Trottier (4-6—10 in 1975-76) and Bossy (5-6—11 in 1984-85).

* Okposo (1-1—2) also found the scoresheet for the fourth consecutive game. He is tied for second in the NHL with five assists and seven points.

* The Islanders now have won seven consecutive games dating to last season, their longest winning streak since a nine-game run Dec. 31, 1989 – Jan. 19, 1990.

SEGUIN’S LAST-SECOND HEROICS LIFT STARS
Down 2-1 in the final minutes of regulation, Jamie Benn scored the tying goal at 17:03 of the third period and Tyler Seguin potted the game-winner with 2.9 seconds left on the clock to lift the Stars to their second consecutive victory.

* According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Stars had not won a game in regulation when trailing at 17:00 of the third period since Oct. 20, 2006, when they came from behind on the strength of goals by Mike Ribeiro (18:46) and Philippe Boucher (19:20) to post a 5-4 victory vs. CHI.

* Elias also says that Seguin’s goal marks the latest tiebreaking score (in regulation) by a Stars/North Stars player since Jan. 6, 1990, when Shawn Chambers also found the back of the net at 19:57 of the third period for a 4-3 victory vs. DET.

* The latest game-winning goal (in regulation) in Stars/North Stars history was scored by Brian MacLellan, who found the back of the net at 19:59 of the third period for a 2-1 victory Jan. 27, 1988 vs. NYI.

* Seguin became the fourth player to score a game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation this season – all on the road – and the second to do so in the final five seconds of the third period. The others: Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec (19:17, Oct. 8 at TOR), Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf (19:36, Oct. 11 at DET) and Avalanche forward Daniel Briere (19:59, Oct. 13 at BOS).

* After being held off the scoresheet in each of their first two games of the season, Benn (2-3—5) and Seguin (4-0—4) now have combined for 6-3—9 over their last two outings, both victories.

* FUN FACT: Former Penguin Alex Goligoski (0-2—2) assisted on Seguin’s game-winning goal just one day after the four-year anniversary of his decisive tally in Pittsburgh’s first-ever win at CONSOL Energy Center (3-2 OT on Oct. 15, 2010 vs. NYI).

* The Stars picked up their first-ever victory at CONSOL Energy Center, snapping a six-game losing streak in Pittsburgh. Their last victory at PIT was on Dec. 23, 2000, an 8-2 decision highlighted by three points from Brett Hull (2-1—3), Mike Modano (1-2—3) and Joe Nieuwendyk (1-2—3).

QUICK, KINGS OUTDUEL BLUES
Jonathan Quick made 43 saves – and denied all three shootout attempts he faced – to record his 32nd career shutout and backstop the Kings to their third consecutive victory.

* With his performance, Quick tied Rogie Vachon for the most shutouts in Kings history. Last season, Quick passed Vachon (171) for the most wins in franchise history.

* According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Quick’s 43 saves match the second-highest total by a Kings goaltender in a shutout. Kelly Hrudey also posted a 43-save shutout in a 3-0 victory Feb. 15, 1993 vs. VAN. Quick holds the franchise record for saves in a shutout, recording 51 stops in a 5-0 win Dec. 13, 2010 at DET.

* Quick also registered his 37th career shootout victory (37-22), which ranks fourth among active goaltenders. He now has a .708 career save percentage in tiebreakers (61 GA / 209 SA).

* Jeff Carter potted the lone goal in the shootout, his fourth career game-deciding goal. He now is 12-for-42 (28.6%) all-time in tiebreakers.

* The Kings picked up their seventh victory in their last eight regular-season meetings with the Blues dating to 2011-12. They also won their fifth straight head-to-head matchup at STAPLES Center.

CANADIENS FEND OFF BRUINS IN HOME OPENER
Brendan Gallagher posted 2-1—3, including the game-winning goal, to lead the Canadiens past the Bruins in their first meeting since the Second Round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* Gallagher recorded his first career multi-goal game and first three-point performance. He now has 3-2—5 during a three-game point streak.

* Max Pacioretty (1-2—3) also posted three points, his first multi-point game since setting a career high with 3-2—5 April 4 at OTT.

* Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau scored his first two goals since joining the Canadiens in an offseason trade, including the go-ahead tally late in the second period. Kladno, Czech Republic, native Jiri Sekac added his first NHL goal with his parents and girlfriend in the crowd.

* Carey Price made 24 saves to improve to 18-8-3 with a 2.55 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in 30 career regular-season appearances versus the Bruins. His 18 wins are his most against any opponent.

* David Desharnais, Alexei Emelin and Tomas Plekanec each collected two assists.

SENATORS RALLY PAST AVALANCHE
Down 3-1 after 20 minutes, the Senators scored four unanswered goals – including three in the third period – to pick up their third consecutive victory.

* David Legwand (1-1—2) sparked the comeback with his first goal in Senators uniform midway through the second period.

* Clarke MacArthur scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the final frame, his second consecutive game-winner (also, Oct. 13 at FLA). MacArthur tied for the team lead with a career-high five game-winning goals in 2013-14.

* Kyle Turris posted an assist to extend his points streak to four games (1-3—4). Curtis Lazar also collected an assist for his first NHL point.

* The Senators earned their first victory over the Avalanche since Dec. 12, 2005, breaking a seven-game slide (0-4-3). They also picked up their first head-to-head win at home since March 18, 2004.

NASH, RANGERS SNAP THREE-GAME SKID
Trailing 1-0 after 40 minutes, Derick Brassard scored the tying goal midway through the third period and Rick Nash potted the lone tally in the shootout to help the Rangers end a three-game skid.

* Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves – and denied all three shootout attempts he faced – to improve to 9-1-0 with a 1.66 goals-against average and .946 save percentage in his last 10 games against the Hurricanes.

* Lundqvist also picked up his 49th career shootout victory (49-33), which ranks second among active goaltenders. He now has a .757 career save percentage in tiebreakers (76 GA / 313 SA).

* Nash saw his four-game goal streak come to an end, but he did register his 12th career shootout-deciding goal (30-for-79, 38.0%).

* The Rangers improved to 12-1-0 in their last 13 meetings with the Hurricanes. They also picked up their seventh consecutive home victory in the head-to-head series.

CAPITALS HAND DEVILS FIRST LOSS
Knotted at 2-2 after the opening period, the Capitals scored four unanswered goals to hand the Devils their first loss of the season.

* Alex Ovechkin scored 34 seconds after the opening face-off to extend his goal streak to three games (5-1—6). He now has 820 career points, five shy of tying Peter Bondra for the most in Capitals history.

* Rookie Andre Burakovsky posted his second career goal to stretch his point streak to four games (2-3—5). He is the first Capitals player to begin his career with a point streak of four or more games since 2005-06, when Ovechkin started his career with an eight-game run (6-4—10).

* Nicklas Backstrom scored his first goal of the season and now has 1-4—5 over his last three contests. He sits one point shy of 500 for his NHL career (128-371—499 in 499 GP).

* Troy Brouwer, Mike Green, Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik each collected two assists.

* The Capitals improved to 6-2-3 in their last 11 home games versus the Devils and now have earned at least one point in 10 of their last 14 overall meetings.

BRODY SUTTER JOINS THE FAMILY BUSINESS
Hurricanes forward Brody Sutter made his NHL debut Thursday, becoming the ninth member of the Sutter family to play in the NHL.

* Six Sutter brothers reached the NHL in the 1970s and 80s: Brent, Brian, Darryl, Duane, Rich and Ron.

* Three second-generation Sutters now have joined their fathers in the 2000s: Brandon (son Brent), Brett (son of Darryl) and Brody (son of Duane).

* The nine Sutters have combined for 1,401-1,695—3,096 over 5,467 regular-season games. A breakdown:

First Generation:
Brent Sutter: 363-466—829 (1,111 GP)
Brian Sutter: 303-333—636 (779 GP)
Darryl Sutter: 161-118—279 (406 GP)*
Duane Sutter: 139-203—342 (731 GP)
Rich Sutter: 149-166—315 (874 GP)
Ron Sutter: 205-329—534 (1,093 GP)
* Current head coach of the Kings

Second Generation:
Brandon Sutter: 79-75—154 (418 GP)
Brett Sutter: 2-5—7 (54 GP)
Brody Sutter: 0-0—0 (1 GP)

LOOSE PUCKS
Despite suffering the shootout loss, Blues goaltender Brian Elliott made 18 saves for his 26th career shutout. It also marked Elliott’s 17th shutout in a Blues sweater, moving him past Glenn Hall and into sole possession of second place in franchise history . . . Sharks forward Brent Burns posted 1-1—2 and now has 1-5—6 during a four-game point streak . . . Devils rookie Damon Severson (2-0—2) registered his first career multi-goal game and second multi-point performance (4 GP) . . . Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (0-1—1) recorded his 637th career point to move past Rick Kehoe and into sole possession of fourth place on the franchise’s all-time scoring list . . . After signing with the team Tuesday, Bruins forward Simon Gagne scored his first goal since April 23, 2013 (for PHI vs. BOS) . . . Avalanche goaltender Calvin Pickard made 23 saves in his NHL debut . . . Penguins forward Nick Spaling played in his 300th NHL game . . . Blues forward Joakim Lindstrom played in his 100th NHL game . . . ICYMI: St. Louis Rams wide receiver Austin Pettis explained his Mighty Ducks tattoo.

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Florida @ Buffalo, 7:00 p.m., FS-F, MSG-B, BELL TV
Calgary @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m., SNW, SNF, FS-O
Detroit @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m., FS-D, SNO
Nashville @ Winnipeg, 8:00 p.m., FS-TN, TSN3
Vancouver @ Edmonton, 9:30 p.m., SNP, SNV, SNW, SNOL
Minnesota @ Anaheim, 10:00 p.m., FS-N, FS-WI, PRIME
NBCSN Channel Finder
Sportsnet Channel Finder

DUCKS OPEN HOME SCHEDULE AGAINST WILD
The Ducks open their 2014-15 home schedule when they take on the Wild at Honda Center. Anaheim went 3-1-0 during its four-game road trip to begin the season, including three consecutive victories. In 2013-14, the Ducks set franchise records for home wins (29) and standings points (69). The Wild, meanwhile, are playing their first game following a five-day layoff. Minnesota has yet to yield a goal this season, courtesy of consecutive shutouts from Darcy Kuemper (16 saves Oct. 9 vs. COL, 30 saves Oct. 11 at COL). They are the fifth team since 1943-44 to open the season with back-to-back blank sheets.

TOP DRAFT PICKS FACE OFF IN BUFFALO
The top two selections from the 2014 NHL Draft meet for the first time when the Panthers visit the Sabres at First Niagara Center. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad, the No. 1 overall pick by Florida, has 0-1—1 and four penalty minutes in his first three games, while forward Sam Reinhart, the No. 2 selection by Buffalo, has yet to find the scoresheet in his first four outings. The Sabres are coming off a 4-3 shootout victory Tuesday at CAR, while the Panthers (0-2-1) are looking for their first win of the season.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the above information.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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