Tuesday night complete two weeks of NHL hockey. Here is a quick reflection on the first 14 days of the 2017-18 campaign:
* The Golden Knights (4-1-0) became the first club in the 100-year history of the League to begin its inaugural season with three straight wins – with the third victory coming in an emotional first-ever NHL regular-season game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
* James Neal (6-0—6 in 5 GP) scored the game-winning goal in each of Vegas’ opening three contests to become just the second player from any NHL team in the expansion era (since 1967-68) to register the winning goal in each of his club’s first three games in any regular-season (also Brian Propp: 1982-83 w/ PHI).
* Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (9-1—10 in 6 GP) scored seven goals in his first two games of the season (3-0—3 at OTT on Oct. 5 and 4-0—4 vs. MTL on Oct. 7) to become the fourth player in NHL 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.
* Reigning Calder Trophy winner Auston Matthews of the Maple Leafs – who recorded 40-29—69 in 82 games during his rookie season of 2016-17 – has picked up where he left off by earning at least a point in all five outings this season (5-3—8), including a pair of overtime goals.
* After winning the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top player, Devils defenseman Will Butcher began his NHL career by becoming just the fifth defenseman in the expansion era (since 1967-68) to record three or more points in his League debut (0-3—3 vs. COL on Oct. 7). Butcher, who has collected 0-8—8 this season, is the first rookie defenseman in NHL history to record at least eight assists in his first five career games.
* Kucherov (7-3—10 in 6 GP) – who tied for second in the NHL with a career-high 40 goals in 2016-17 – has scored in each of Tampa Bay’s opening six games, including the game-winning goal on Monday. Only three other players in the past 30 years have scored a goal in at least six consecutive team games to begin a season – Steve Yzerman in 1988-89 w/ DET (6-5—11 in 6 GP), Mario Lemieux in 1992-93 w/ PIT (18-20—38 in 12 GP) and Keith Tkachuk in 2008-09 w/ STL (7-0—7 in 6 GP).
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- Plante, Vezina Centennial portraits unveiled
· Eddie Olczyk returning to broadcast Blackhawks-Blues on Wednesday - Chemistry undeniable for Stamkos, Kucherov(via Dan Rosen)
- Rookie watch: Bratt emerging as big surprise for Devils
- Subban gets first NHL win withGolden Knights (via Lisa Dillman)
* Information provided via NHL Press Release
National Hockey League Press Release. Information provided from the NHL that describes various news releases that describe current events in the league.