Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

10/13/2016 at 7:07am EDT

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
OTTAWA 5, Toronto 4 (OT)
St. Louis 5, CHICAGO 2
EDMONTON 7, Calgary 4
SAN JOSE 2, Los Angeles 1

MATTHEWS DAZZLES IN HISTORIC NHL DEBUT
Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (4-0—4) scored the first four goals of his NHL career – including a hat trick by the 1:25 mark of the second period – to become the first player in the NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) to score four times in his League debut.

"I think everybody was like 'What's going on here?' Like I said, you don't really draw it up like that. It would have been nice just to get the win.” – Matthews


* Via Elias, only three other players have recorded a hat trick in their League debut in the modern era: Nordiques forward Real Cloutier (Oct. 10, 1979 vs. ATL: 3 G), Stars forwardFabianBrunnstrom (Oct. 15, 2008 vs. NSH: 3 G) and Rangers forward Derek Stepan(Oct. 9, 2010 at BUF: 3 G).

* Four other players scored at least three goals in their first NHL game prior to 1943-44: Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Smart (Jan. 14, 1943 vs. CHI: 3 G) and three players who accomplished the feat on the first day of NHL games on Dec. 19, 1917, but who had all played previously in the National Hockey Association, the direct predecessor to the NHL – Canadiens forward Joe Malone (5 G), Montreal Wanderers forward Harry Hyland(5 G) and Toronto Arenas forward Reg Noble (4 G).

* Elias adds that Matthews became just the fourth player in the modern era to score four goals in his team’s season-opener. The others: Canucks forwards Rick Blight (Oct. 6, 1976: 4 G at PIT) and Greg Adams (Oct. 8, 1987: 4 G vs. STL) and Lightning forwardChris Kontos (Oct. 7, 1992: 4 G vs. CHI).

* Matthews, the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, joined Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (Oct. 5, 2005: 2-0—2 vs. CBJ) as the only top picks to score multiple times in their NHL debuts.

* At 19 years, 26 days, Elias says that Matthews also became the third-youngest player in NHL history to scored four goalsin any game, behind Toronto’s Jack Hamilton on Dec. 4, 1943 (18 years, 185 days) and Washington’s Bobby Carpenter on Feb. 25, 1982 (18 years, 227 days).

* Matthews’ mother, Ema, was brought to tears of joy watching her son’s performance.

*ICYMI: NHL players reacted on Twitter to Matthews’ impressive showing:


NOTABLE DEBUTS FROM OTHER SPORTS
How Matthews’ historic four-goal debut stacks up across other major professional leagues (with assistance from the Elias Sports Bureau):

* No player has ever hit three home runs in his MLB debut; the last to hit two was TrevorStory on April 4, 2016.

* The last player to record three touchdowns in his NFL debut was Marshall Faulk on Sept. 4, 1994.

* The most points recorded by a player making his NBA debut is 43, achieved by Wilt Chamberlain on Oct. 24, 1959.

MCDAVID LEADS OILERS TO VICTORY IN ROGERS PLACE OPENER
In his first regular-season game as Oilers captain, Connor McDavid (2-1—3) collected three points, including the game-winning goal on a penalty shot, to help Edmonton christen Rogers Place with an opening-night victory.

* McDavid converted on his first career penalty shot and the first at Rogers Place. Wayne Gretzky tallied the first such goal at Rexall Place (then Northlands Coliseum) on Jan. 19, 1983 vs. WPG.

* McDavid, who registered his fourth and fifth career multi-goal and three-point games, respectively, has collected 18-33—51 in 46 career games played (1.11 points per game).

* Oilers forward Patrick Maroon scored the first regular-season goal at Rogers Place just 70 seconds after the opening face-off. Leon Draisaitl, who notched the final goal at Rexall Place on April 6 vs. VAN, collected the lone assist.

* The Oilers announced that Gretzky – who hit the ice with Mark Messier before puck drop – has joined the Oilers Entertainment Group as Partner and Vice Chair. The club also unveiled his statue as part of the Oilers Hall of Fame at Rogers Place.


(WEL)COMEBACK WINS
The Sharks, Senators and Blues each overcame a deficit to win on opening night.

* Logan Couture (1-1—2) factored on both goals to help the Sharks overcome an early deficit and win their seventh consecutive season-opening game, extending the longest active such streak in the NHL. San Jose, who faced Los Angeles in a season-opener for the third straight campaign, improved to 3-0-0 all-time in such contests vs. LAK and to 9-1-1 in their past 11 season-openers overall.

* Forward Kyle Turris (2-0—2) tied the game at 6:45 of the third period and added the overtime winner to help Ottawa help new head coach GuyBoucher earn a victory in his debut behind the Senators bench. Defenseman Erik Karlsson contributed 1-2—3 to help the Senators improve to 5-0-0 all-time in season-openers against the Maple Leafs.

* The Blues scored four unanswered goals – powered by Vladimir Tarasenko (2-1—3),PaulStastny (1-2—3) and Kevin Shattenkirk (1-2—3) – to spoil the Blackhawks’ home opener and begin its 50th anniversary season with a victory. St. Louis scored three goals via the power play, tied for their most ever in a game at United Center (also March 28, 2004).

LOOSE PUCKS
Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi, selected fourth overall in the 2016 NHL Draft, scored in his League debut . . . Blackhawks forward Ryan Hartman, selected 30th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft, also scored his first career goal (9 GP) . . . ICYMI: The NHL announcedexpanded digital offerings for fans . . . U.S. Olympian Simone Biles played ‘Shoot the Puck’ at the Blues-Blackhawks game.


SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
NY Islanders @ NY Rangers, 7 p.m., MSG, MSG+ 2
Boston @ Columbus, 7 p.m., FS-O, NESN
Montreal @ Buffalo, 7 p.m., SN360, MSG-B, RDS
New Jersey @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., FS-F, MSG+
Detroit @ Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m., SUN, FS-D
Carolina @ Winnipeg, 8 p.m., TSN3, FS-CR
Minnesota @ St. Louis, 8 p.m., FS-MW, FS-N, FS-WI
Washington @ Pittsburgh, 8 p.m., NBCSN, TVAS2
Anaheim @ Dallas, 8:30 p.m., FS-SW, PRIME
NBC Sports Channel Finder
Sportsnet Channel Finder
NHLN Channel Finder

BANNER RAISING AMONG NIGHT TWO STORYLINES
* The Penguins will open their 50th anniversary season by raising their Stanley Cup banner prior to their game against the rival Capitals. Pittsburgh defeated Washington in six games in the Second Round last year en route to winning the fourth championship in franchise history.

* Forty-four year-old Jaromir Jagr, who ranks third all-time in goals and points, sixth in assists and eighth in games played, will embark on his 23rd NHL season when the Panthers and Devils clash at BB&T Center. Teammate Roberto Luongo sits one win shy of tying Jacques Plante for sixth all-time and needs one shutout to move into sole possession of 11th place all-time.

* Jets forward Patrik Laine, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2016 NHL Draft, will make his regular-season debut when Winnipeg hosts Carolina in each club’s opening contest. Laine scored 17-16—33 in 46 games with Tappara Tampere in 2015-16 to lead the Finnish Elite League in goals and points by a rookie. He also was named MVP at the 2016 World Championship after collecting seven goals in 10 games to help Finland earn a silver medal.

the information above was provided by the NHL PR department

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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.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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