PENGUINS OUTLAST CAPITALS IN OVERTIME THRILLER

In their first meeting since the Second Round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Pittsburgh surrendered a two-goal lead in the third period before Kris Letang (2-1—3) scored 1:20 into overtime to help the Penguins outlast the Capitals in a game that saw the rivals combine for 13 goals.

* Thursday marked the 13th time in 222 all-time regular-season meetings that the Penguins and Capitals combined for at least 12 goals in a game. Pittsburgh improved to 11-1-1 in those contests.

* The Capitals, who won 7-0 on Wednesday, became the eighth team in NHL history to score at least seven goals in their opening game of a season and follow it by allowing seven or more goals in their second game. The others: Blues (1989-90), Canucks (1987-88), Blackhawks (1984-85), Quebec Nordiques (1983-84), Penguins (1976-77), Toronto St. Patricks (1922-23) and Montreal Wanderers (1917-18).

* Letang scored his fifth career regular-season overtime goal, the most by a Penguins defenseman and tied for fifth-most in franchise history by any player. With the three-point night, Letang moved into a tie with Paul Coffey for most points by a Penguins defenseman. Last season, Letang passed Coffey as the franchise’s all-time leader in assists by a defenseman and now needs just 10 goals to match Coffey’s franchise mark for goals by a Penguins defender.

ATKINSON SCORES IN ANOTHER SEASON-OPENER

Cam Atkinson opened the scoring for the Blue Jackets at 5:12 of the first period and has now scored in five straight season-opening games dating to 2014-15, the longest active run in the NHL. Only two players in NHL history have scored in more consecutive season openers.

TOP PERFORMERS FROM 2017-18 OFF TO FAST START

A trio of players who starred in 2017-18 had strong outings on Thursday:

* Bruins forward Brad Marchand posted his second career four-assist game, a feat he first accomplished last season on Jan. 6, 2018 vs. CAR. The 2017-18 season witnessed Marchand record his second straight campaign with at least 80 points, becoming the first Bruins player to do so since Hall of Fame members Ray Bourque and Adam Oates accomplished the feat in 1992-93 and 1993-94.

* After totalling a combined 80 goals in his first two NHL seasons, Patrik Laine (1-1—2) opened the 2018-19 campaign with a multi-point effort. Laine (81 goals in 156 GP) is within reach of hitting 100 goals before his 200th NHL game; only two active players have done so: Alex Ovechkin(100 goals in 167 GP) and Steven Stamkos (100 goals in 194 GP).

* Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin (1-1—2) opened 2018-19 with a multi-point outing, including his fourth career overtime winner. In 2017-18, he set a new franchise record for assists and points in a season with 27-55—82 in 81 GP.

FAST GOALS, BISHOP’S PERFECTION LEADS TO STARS WIN

The Stars scored three times in a span of 1:36 and Ben Bishop made 30 saves to become the third goaltender in franchise history to post a shutout in a season opener. The others: Cesare Maniago (21 saves) on Oct. 11, 1969 vs. PHI and Antti Niemi (37 saves) on Oct. 8, 2015 vs. PIT.

* Prior to Thursday, the Stars last scored three goals in 96 seconds or less in 2013-14, when they did so three times during a month-and-half spanfrom Oct. 24 to Dec. 7.

* Jim Montgomery became the sixth head coach in Stars/North Stars history to win in his NHL head coaching debut. The others: Lou Nanne (Feb. 11, 1978), Glen Sonmor (Nov. 8, 1978), Murray Oliver (Jan. 13, 1983), Pierre Page (Oct. 5, 1989) and Glen Gulutzan (Oct. 7, 2011).

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ONE GAME, ONE GOAL

A pair of 20-year-old defensemen, Maxime Lajoie of the Senators and Dennis Cholowski of the Red Wings, scored in their NHL debut. The last 10 years have seen 18 different blueliners score in their NHL debut, including Sami Niku (WPG), Justin Holl (TOR), Christian Djoos (WSH) and Charlie McAvoy (BOS) last season.

* Lajoie, who cracked the Senators lineup two years after being selected in the fifth round (133rd overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft, became the fifth player in franchise history to score in his NHL debut and just the second defenseman to do so (Wade Redden on Oct. 5, 1996).

* Cholowski became the 45th player in Red Wings history to score in his NHL debut and first since Dylan Larkin on Oct. 9, 2015. Only four other defensemen in franchise history have scored in their NHL debut: Brian Lashoff (Jan. 21, 2013), Brett Ledba (Oct. 5, 2005), Bob Wilkie (Oct. 6, 1990), Dean Morton (Oct. 5, 1989) and Dwight Schofield (Jan. 4, 1977).

QUICK CLICKS

* Anders Lee named captain of Islanders
* Henrik Zetterberg drops ceremonial first puck at Red Wings opener

* Tom Hanks takes in Penguins opener clad in home jersey
* Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl expected to steal spotlight for Oilers in Sweden
* Global Series Buzz: Marcus Johansson happy to be home
* Devils bond over scavenger hunt in Sweden ahead of opener against Oilers

* Oilers all business heading into season opener against Devils

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION

KOVALCHUK SET TO MAKE KINGS DEBUT

After five seasons in the KHL, Ilya Kovalchuk returns to the NHL with the Kings when they host the Sharks in their season opener at Staples Center. The 35-year-old averaged one point per game in his NHL career, collecting 417-399—816 in 816 career during his first stint in the League. His 816 points are the eighth-most by a Russian player in League history. Additionally, Kovalchuk sits eighth on the NHL’s all-time regular-season overtime goals list with 14.

the above information was provided by the NHL PR department