NHL Recap Jan 19, 2013 – Opening Night
In addition to the Ottawa Senators win over the Winnipeg Jets, there 12 other games on opening night in the NHL. Here is a quick tour around the league:
Jan.19, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Stanley Cup championship banner for the Los Angeles Kings is raised during pre-game ceremonies before the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
- Marc-Andre Fleury made 27 saves to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-1 win over cross state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. While I hate the saying that they got “revenge” for last season’s playoff loss (it doesn’t change that result), it’s a big win in a 3 team battle that will likely determine the Atlantic Division champion.
- Marian Hossa and the Chicago Blackhawks scored early and often in jumping out to a 4-0 lead on the LA Kings. They eventually went on to win 5-2, spoiling the Kings’ Stanley Cup Banner raising ceremony. But with the glare from the Stanley Cup rings no doubt temporarily blinding them, they can be excused for this one.
- Rick Nash managed an assist in his Broadway debut, but the Boston Bruins defeated the New York Rangers 3-1. Tuuka Rask made 20 saves for the win in his first game without the shadow of Tim Thomas lurking over him.
- Ben Scrivens and the Toronto Maple Leafs held on by their fingernails to beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. Maybe the Habs’ arms were too sore from lifting the torch in the pregame ceremony.
- Coach Jack Capuano missed the New York Islanders’ 2-1 loss and to the New Jersey Devils with kidney stones. It was probably indigestion after filling in the lineup card and seeing his assembled roster.
- Eric Brewer opened and closed the scoring for the Tampa Bay Lightning en route to a 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals. Anders Lindback had many fans in Tampa wondering what Dwayne Roloson was doing last year. Ohhh, goalies are supposed to block the puck!
- Alexei Kovalev had a goal and two assists to help the Florida Panthers defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1. If his stint in Ottawa was any indication, it will be February before he does anything else. February 2014 that is.
- Jimmy Howard might be sending messages to Nicolas Lindstrom begging him to come out of retirement as Vladimir Tarasenko and Chris Stewart each had a pair in the St. Louis Blues 6-0 drubbing of the Detroit Red Wings. Jaroslav Halak barely broke a sweat making only 14 saves for the shutout.
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have one more win than many thought they would get all year as Sergei Bobrovsky (32 saves) led them to a 3-2 shootout victory over the Nashville Predators. Rick who? For 1 day at least.
- Jaromir Jagr was in on all the Dallas Stars scoring as they beat the Phoenix Coyotes 4-3. The aging Jagr had 2 goals and 2 assists while fellow 40-something Ray Whitney chipped in a goal and an assist, but they missed the Seniors discount at Applebee’s.
- Zach Parise assisted on both of Dany Heatley’s goals as the new look Minnesota Wild defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-2. Parise bounced the second one off Hestley, and if that continues, Heatley’s could be the highest scoring statue in the league.
- Last, and certainly not least, Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis could be calling Toronto to see if James Reimer is available after watching Cory Schneider give up 5 goals on 14 shots in a 7-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Roberto Luongo allowed 2 in relief, prompting Canucks fans to riot because there team has no goaltending.
1 day down, 98 to go before the playoffs.