FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
COLUMBUS 5, NY Islanders 0
TAMPA BAY 5, Florida 3
Vegas 2, DALLAS 1
NEAL, FLEURY LEAD GOLDEN KNIGHTS TO VICTORY IN FIRST GAME
James Neal scored two goals in a span of 6:49 of the third period and Marc-Andre Fleury made 45 saves to lead the Golden Knights to a 2-1 victory in the franchise’s first game.
* According to Elias, Fleury’s 45 saves were the most ever recorded by a goaltender in an expansion franchise’s first win (since 1967-68), besting the previous mark of 37 set by Hank Bassen (1967-68 w/ PIT) and Goran Hogosta (1979-80 w/ QUE).
* Elias adds that Neal became the seventh player to record a multi-goal outing for an expansion franchise in the team’s inaugural game. Only two players in NHL history have scored more than two goals for an expansion franchise in the team’s first contest: Chris Kontos, who tallied 4-0—4 for the Lightning on Oct. 7, 1992 and Real Cloutier, who registered 3-0—3 for the Nordiques on Oct. 10, 1979.
* With the Vegas victory, expansion teams improved to 7-16-3 in regular-season debuts (3-8-2 on the road).
HOCKEY COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND LAS VEGAS
Prior to puck drop, the Stars stood in unison with the Golden Knights during a moment of silence to send a message of support for the city of Las Vegas. Click the image below to watch.
* Representatives from all 30 NHL clubs also recorded a video to send a message of support to Las Vegas.
QUICK CLICKS
1) Nicholas Cotsonika recaps Vegas’ first win
2) Five Things To Know About Vegas’ James Neal
3) Daryl Reaugh Honors Dave Strader
4) Capitals Nathan Walker to Become First NHL Australian Player
5) Hat Tricks Traces Its History Back to the 19th Century
SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
FIRST WEEKEND OF REGULAR SEASON OPENS WITH 15-GAME SATURDAY
Saturday’s schedule features 30 of the NHL’s 31 teams in action, marking the ninth time in NHL history that 15 games will be contested on the same date (first time since Saturday, April 9, 2016). Some highlights include:
* The Penguins host the Predators in a Stanley Cup Final rematch, marking the first meeting between the clubs since Pittsburgh’s six-game triumph to capture back-to-back championships.
* Hockey Night in Canada returns with a five-game slate featuring all seven Canadian teams.
* Nico Hischier, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2017 NHL Draft, is expected to make his regular-season debut when the Devils host the Avalanche to open their 2017-18 season. Hischier – the first Swiss-born player to be drafted first overall – tied for the team lead with 4-3—7 in four preseason appearances.
* Ken Hitchcock – who is in his second stint with the Stars, holds franchise records for games coached and wins, and led the team to the Stanley Cup in 1999 – faces the Blues for the first time since coaching the club for 413 games across six seasons from 2011-17 (248-124-41).
Thanks to the NHL PR Department for the information above.
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.