OVECHKIN CLIMBS ALL-TIME GOALS LIST WITH THIRD-PERIOD HAT TRICK
Alex Ovechkin scored three times in the third period to post his 18th career hat trick (first in a season opener) and help the Capitals overcome deficits of 3-1 and 4-3 to earn a victory. Ovechkin, who scored three goals in one period for the third time in his career, surpassed Guy Lafleur (560) and tied MikeModano (561) for 24th place on the NHL’s all-time goals list; Joe Nieuwendyk and MatsSundin share 22nd place with 564 goals apiece.

100-YEAR-OLD BENCHMARK MATCHED IN OPENING TWO DAYS OF SEASON
There have been four hat tricks through two days of play in 2017-18, with Connor McDavid (EDM), Wayne Simmonds (PHI), Saad and Ovechkin each scoring three times in his team’s season opener. This is the second campaign in NHL history to feature four hat tricks in season-opening contests. The first such occurrence came in 1917-18, when each of the first two games in League history featured two players with at least three goals (both on Dec. 19, 1917: Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators and Toronto Arenas at Montreal Wanderers).

RED WINGS WIN OPENER AT LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
The Red Wings surrendered a 2-0 lead in the third period, but Henrik Zetterberg scored the go-ahead goal to lift Detroit to victory in the first ever NHL regular-season game at Little Caesars Arena. It marked the first time the franchise has won its opening contest at a new arena.

TOP LINE RALLIES DUCKS TO EMOTIONAL COMEBACK WIN
The trio of Rickard Rakell (1-2—3), Corey Perry (2-1—3) and Andrew Cogliano (1-2—3) combined for 4-5—9 and Rakell netted the game-winning goal with 3:30 remaining in regulation to help the Ducks overcome a 4-1 deficit to win their season opener. Before the game Rakell walked the orange carpet with Katie Hawley, a 17-year-old cancer patient, who joined the team on the ice as the “21st Duck.” Click the image below to watch the pre-game ceremony.

QUICK CLICKS

1. Foley Family Foundation, Chicago Wolves give $200,000 to Vegas relief
2. Little Caesars Arena raises bar for future NHL venues (via Nick Cotsonika)
3. Late Jets fan being honored in traveling jersey tribute
4. Golden Knights superfan on trip of lifetime
5. Staal, Faulk named co-captains of Hurricanes

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION

GOLDEN KNIGHTS SET TO MAKE NHL REGULAR SEASON DEBUT
The expansion Vegas Golden Knights, the League’s 31st franchise, take the ice for their first NHL regular season game tonight in Dallas. An overview of how other clubs have fared in their first campaigns in the expansion era (since 1967-68):

* Expansion teams own a 6-16-3 record in League debuts, including a 2-8-2 clip when opening on the road.

* The Senators hold the NHL record for fastest goal by an expansion team from the start of its inaugural game. Neil Brady scored 26 seconds after the opening face-off in the team’s 5-3 victory against the Canadiens on Oct. 8, 1992 (box score).

* The Lightning hold the NHL record for most goals by an expansion team in its debut contest, posting a 7-3 victory – highlighted by a four-goal performance from Chris Kontos – against the Blackhawks on Oct. 7, 1992 (box score).

* Six expansion teams have qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in their inaugural campaign – the Flyers, Kings, Blues and Minnesota North Stars in 1967-68 when the League underwent its first expansion and the Oilers and Hartford Whalers in 1979-80.

* A look at the Golden Knights’ inaugural opening-day roster (as of Oct. 5):