SAAD’S HAT TRICK POWERS BLACKHAWKS TO HISTORIC SEASON-OPENING WIN

Making his first appearance in a Blackhawks uniform since hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2015, Brandon Saad scored a hat trick to spark Chicago to a 10-goal outburst against the defending champion Penguins. The Blackhawks became the fifth team in NHL history to record at least 10 goals in a season-opening game.

Oct 5, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad (20) celebrates scoring a goal past Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Antti Niemi (31) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Blackhawks, who scored at least 10 goals in any regular-season game for the 19th time in club history, matched an NHL record for largest margin of victory in a season opener.  Patrick Kane (1-3—4) matched a career high with four points while Ryan Hartman collected 1-4—5 to become the 15th player in NHL history – and first member of the Blackhawks – to record at least five points in a season opener. The only player with more points in a season opener is Kevin Stevens, who tallied 2-4—6 for the Penguins on Oct. 5, 1990.

MCDAVID, SIMMONDS NET HAT TRICKS IN OPENING NIGHT WINS


Connor McDavid scored his second career NHL hat trick – the first ever by an Oilers player in a season opener – to power Edmonton to victory in the first of five “Battle of Alberta” showdowns this season. The reigning Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy winner, who led the League with 30-70—100 in 2016-17, became the fifth player in NHL history to record a natural hat trick in a season opener, joining Bert Corbeau, Billy Boucher, Ray Getliffe and Radim Vrbata.

Wayne Simmonds registered his second career hat trick – the first ever by a Flyers player in a season opener – to help Philadelphia past San Jose, marking the first season-opening loss by the Sharks since 2009-10 (halting their seven-game win streak in such contests).

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 Mike Modano (561) for 24th place on the NHL’s all-time goals list; Joe Nieuwendyk and Mats Sundin share 22nd place with 564 goals apiece.

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OVECHKIN MATCHES 100-YEAR-OLD BENCHMARK WITH ANOTHER HAT TRICK
Alex Ovechkin matched a career high with four goals – including three in the first period – to post his second straight hat trick (19th career) and lead the Capitals to victory. With hat tricks in each of the Capitals’ first two games of the 2017-18 season, Ovechkin became the fourth player in League history – and first since the NHL’s inaugural campaign – to score a hat trick in each of his team’s first two games of a season.  Ovechkin – who netted three goals in the third period of Washington’s season opener – became the third player in NHL history to score three goals in a period in consecutive team games. The others: Buffalo’s Richard Martin from Oct. 19-22, 1975, and Toronto’s Darryl Sittler from March 2-5, 1980.

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* Information provided via NHL Press Release