FIRST “BATTLE OF ALBERTA” OF 2022-23 MIRRORS GAME 1 OF 2022 SERIES

Mirroring Game 1 of their series during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Flames raced to a 3-1 lead in the opening 7:41 of the first period – with defenseman Michael Stone factoring on all three Calgary goals – as the first 2022-23 rendition of the “Battle of Alberta” once again lived up to the hype.

* The finale of the first Hockey Night in Canada of the season marked the third time in 296 all-time meetings (regular-season and playoffs) that the Flames and Oilers combined for at least three goals in the opening five minutes of the game. The other instances occurred on Dec. 3, 2011 (EDM 2, CGY 1) and Jan. 13, 1988 (CGY 3, EDM 0).

* Stone became the first Flames defenseman in more than 15 years to record at least three points in the first period of any game and the second ever to do so against the Oilers (following Al MacInnis on March 28, 1991: 1-3—4).

* Nazem Kadri, who tallied 1-3—4 in three playoff games against Edmonton during Colorado’s run to the Stanley Cup last spring, made an immediate impact in his first taste of the “Battle of Alberta.” The newly acquired Flames forward became the eighth player to post multiple points in his first-ever period in the rivalry.

KINGS EMERGE IN HIGHEST-SCORING GAME OF SEASON

Los Angeles and Minnesota combined for six goals in the opening period, with the Kings taking an early 4-2 lead, but the Wild clawed back to tie the game at 6-6 in the final frame. Just 31 seconds after the Wild levelled the contest, the Kings pulled ahead once again thanks to a tally from Adrian Kempe – the club’s leading goal scorer last season.

* Kevin Fiala recorded 1-2—3 in his first game against his former team since being acquired by the Kings in the offseason. Fiala led the Wild in regular-season goals (79), assists (107) and points (186) during his tenure with the club (Feb. 25, 2019 through 2021-22).

* With three assists in the NHL’s highest-scoring game to date in 2022-23, Kings captain Anze Kopitar (365-706—1,071 in 1,213 GP) moved ahead of Dave Taylor (431-638—1,069) for third place on the franchise’s all-time points list.

CROSBY CLIMBS MULTILPLE ALL-TIME LISTS IN PENGUINS WIN
After scoring Pittsburgh’s first goal of the game, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby added two helpers in the third period to bring his career totals to 519-896—1,415 (1,110 GP) and climb multiple all-time NHL lists as he approaches the 900-assist milestone. With his first helper of the night, Crosby overtook Phil Housley (894 A in 1,495 GP) for sole possession of 20th place on the assists list; he later surpassed Doug Gilmour (450-964—1,414 in 1,474 GP) for 19th place on the points list.

NEW COACHES WATCH TEAMS REMAIN PERFECT
Six of the 10 new head coaches in 2022-23 maintained their perfect start to the campaign, with Bruce Cassidy moving to 3-0-0 behind the Vegas bench and the others improving to 2-0-0:

* Vegas moved to 3-0-0 for the third time in six seasons as Jonathan Marchessault scored twice (his 16th multi-goal game in a Golden Knights uniform) to inch closer to 300 points with the club. The Golden Knights’ victory came in the Kraken home opener, but Seattle rookie Matty Beniers managed to find the score sheet for the 12th time in 13 career NHL games (4-9—13).

* Dylan Larkin (1-2—3) scored in the final second of the second period – one of four Red Wings goals in the frame – as Detroit claimed its second win in as many days. Derek Lalonde (2-0-0) became the fourth head coach to win at least each of his first two contests with the club, following Jeff Blashill, Mike Babcock and Jimmy Skinner who all began 3-0-0. Blashill and Skinner also did so from the start of their NHL career.

* Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery moved to 2-0-0 as Boston picked up its 19th consecutive victory against the Coyotes dating to 2010 – extending the second-longest such streak in NHL history. Montgomery also won each of his first two contests during his first NHL coaching stint with the Stars.

* Jason Robertson, averaging nearly a point-per-game in his career to date (59-70—129 in 130 GP), notched his seventh career three-point outing and Jake Oettinger made 29 saves as Dallas swept its home-and-home set with Nashville. Oettinger, who helped Peter DeBoer win his first two games with a franchise for the second time in his career (4-0-0 w/ SJS), has turned aside 60 of 62 shots to start 2022-23 – still not as many as he made during Game 7 of the 2022 First Round against Calgary (64 saves).

* Aaron Ekblad (1-0—1) and Rasmus Dahlin (1-1—2), a pair of first-overall picks, each found the back of the net in a game that saw the Panthers emerge with another win to give new head coach Paul Maurice the 777th victory of his NHL career (five back of fifth place in League history). Matthew Tkachuk (1-1—2) became the sixth player to score a goal in each of his first two games in a Panthers uniform.

* Travis Konecny (1-1—2) collected multiple points for the second time in as many games and netted the game winner with 6:07 remaining in regulation as Philadelphia erased a 2-0 deficit en route to victory. The John Tortorella-led Flyers have posted comeback wins in each of their first two games of a season for the fifth time in franchise history, following 1988-89 (3 GP), 1982-83 (3 GP), 1993-94 (2 GP) and 1983-84 (2 GP).

ISLANDERS OFFENSE FROM THE DEFENSE HIGHLIGHTS #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATESThe Saturday edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates featured defensemen Scott Mayfield (2-0—2), Robin Salo (2-0—2) and Noah Dobson (1-0—1), who accounted for five of seven Islanders goals as New York earned its first win of the season.

* Mayfield and Salo became the fourth pair of Islanders defensemen to each score multiple goals in the same game – and first in nearly 30 years. The others: Vladimir Malakhov and Scott Lachance (Jan. 12, 1993), Denis Potvin and Jean Potvin (Jan. 22, 1976 & Oct. 25, 1975).

* Dobson also found the back of the net in New York’s season opener on Oct. 13 against Florida and joined Chris Campoli (2 GP from Oct. 5-6, 2007) as the second Islanders blueliner to score in each of the team’s first two games of the season. Of note: Denis Potvin scored in his first two contests in 1981-82, however he missed the first portion of the season.

QUICK CLICKS

* Sam Lafferty becomes 7th Blackhawks player with 2+ SHG in a period
* Holl's late goal lifts Maple Leafs in "Battle of Ontario" despite Giroux's first goal with Ottawa
* Matt Murray expected to miss four weeks for Maple Leafs with adductor injury
* CHL notebook: Ducks defenseman prospect Pavel Mintyukov has game at next level

* Sharks, Blackhawks honor Doug Wilson by wearing No. 24 for warmups

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.