STARS SHINE IN SECOND PERIOD EN ROUTE TO SEASON-OPENING WIN
Joe Pavelski (2-2—4) collected three of his game-high four points in the second period as the Stars scored five of their seven goals in the middle frame en route to a season-opening win. Pavelski matched the franchise record for points by one player in a season opener, a feat last achieved in 2012-13 by Jaromir Jagr (2-2—4 on Jan. 19, 2013).



* The Stars, who had been shut out in each of their last two games against the Predators (March 5 & March 7, 2020), matched a franchise record for power-play goals in a game (5). It also was the third time that the club has paired a five-goal showing on the power play with at least one shorthanded marker in the same game.

WILD AND CAPITALS CONTINUE TO EXCEL IN HOME OPENERS
The Wild and Capitals continued to have success in their home openers as Zach Parise (1-0—1) scored the game-winning goal in Minnesota, while John Carlson (0-1—1) found the score sheet in regulation and scored the only goal of the shootout in Washington.

* Minnesota scored four goals at Xcel Energy Center to improve to 4-1-0 in 2020-21 – its best start through five games in a season since 2008-09 (4-0-1). The Wild’s best record through their first five contests is 5-0-0, a feat achieved in both 2007-08 and 2006-07.



* Forty-three-year-oldZdeno Chara (0-1—1) collected his first point as a member of the Capitals as Washington earned its ninth straight home win over Buffalo dating to March 7, 2015 – its longest active streak against one opponent. Washington (3-0-2) has opened the season with at least a point in five straight games for the third time in franchise history. The others: 2011-12 (7-0-0) and 2014-15 (3-0-2).

AVALANCHE POWER PLAY CONTINUES TO ROLL
Joonas Donskoi opened the scoring with the Avalanche’s League-leading 10th power-play goal of the season (5 GP). Colorado required the fewest games in franchise history to reach 10 power-play goals in a season, edging the previous mark of six achieved by the Quebec Nordiques twice (1989-90 & 1992-93) and Avalanche once (2009-10).

* There have been only seven instances in which a team required fewer than five games to reach 10 power-play goals in a season (since 1933-34 when goals by type were officially tracked).



MORE HIGHLIGHTS FROM FRIDAY

* Twenty-three-year-old Mitch Marner (1-1—2) assisted on John Tavares’ game-winning goal to collect his 212th career assist (87-212—299 in 306 GP) – the most by a Maple Leafs player prior to their 24th birthday, surpassing Vincent Damphousse (118-211—329 in 394 GP).

* After recording consecutive comeback wins over the Capitals on Jan. 17 and Jan. 19, the Penguins erased a 3-1 deficit Friday before Kris Letang scored the decisive marker in the shootout. Pittsburgh has strung together three consecutive comeback wins for the second time in as many seasons (also 3 from Oct. 13 – 18, 2019) and sit one such win shy of the longest streak in franchise history (achieved 6x; last: four straight comeback wins from Dec. 27, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017.

* Patrick Kane (1-1—2), who opened the scoring with a power-play goal, was one of three Blackhawks skaters with two points as Chicago earned its first win of the season. The 2020-21 campaign marks the fourth time the Blackhawks have scored a power-play goal in five or more consecutive games to start a season (also 11 GP in 1990-91, 6 GP in 1965-66 & 5 GP in 1993-94).

QUICK CLICKS

* NHL opens season with record viewership in United States, Canada
* NHL Player Safety Video: Tyler Myers' check deemed legal
*Stars raise 2020 Western Conference champions banner
* Blackhawks introduce formal Land Acknowledgement to open home games

HIGH-SCORING CANADIENS CONTEST THIRD STRAIGHT GAME AGAINST CANUCKS
Montreal, which leads the League with 24 goals through five games this season, is set to close a six-game, season-opening road trip with its third straight game against Vancouver tonight on Hockey Night in Canada (7 p.m. ET on CBC, TVAS, SN, CITY). The Canadiens and Canucks combined for 21 goals in the first two contests (including one shootout-deciding goal).



* Montreal has scored at least 24 goals through its first five games in a season for the eighth time in their 103-season NHL history and first since 1981-82 (including shootout-deciding goals). Only three other teams over the last 10 seasons have tallied as many goals through five games: Toronto (26 in 2017-18 & 25 in 2018-19), San Jose (24 in 2013-14) and Tampa Bay (24 in 2012-13).



* The Canadiens, who are averaging nearly five goals per game (4.80 G/GP), have scored at least 30 goals through six games played in a season on seven occasions (last: 32 in 1983-84).

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.