Ah, Saturday night. Hockey is back, folks. And it feels good.
We settled into the new hockey season with the first installment of Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday and needless to say, it was a busy night in the NHL.
With a total of 14 games being played, there was tons of action to choose from and highlights to watch — from more impressive rookie performances to plenty of home openers and some history-making thrown in there, too.
Here are seven things we learned from the NHL on Saturday:
Connor McDavid makes his primetime debut…
McDavid made his long-awaited NHL debut Thursday night, and his appearance on Hockey Night In Canada was just as highly anticipated. Unfortunately for Edmonton Oilers fans, McDavid couldn’t get on the board — nor could any of his teammates. Pekka Rinne‘s strong play held the young squad scoreless, powering the Nashville Predators (and their bright yellow buckets) to a 2-0 victory at home.
There’s no discounting the immense promise McDavid holds. But, as Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon writes, it’s going to take some time for him to truly adjust to the NHL.
Prior to the game, Oilers coach Todd McLellan told Sportsnet’s George Stroumboulopoulos that the No. 1 draft pick is still “just an 18-year-old kid with nerves.”
Is the Battle of Ontario back?
Fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators were treated to some great Saturday night hockey.
It was a heated affair with plenty of goals, intense three-on-three overtime and even a shootout. It begged the question: Is this provincial rivalry on the rise?
In the end, the Senators outlasted the Leafs and Mike Hoffman’s shootout goal served as the winner.
One thing’s for sure: We’ll gladly welcome this rivalry back into league.
Oscar Lindberg is a rookie to watch…
We’re only four days into the season and already we’ve been spoiled by some outstanding rookie performances — but perhaps none more impressive than Swedish first-year Oscar Lindberg. The 23-year-old New York Rangers centre, who made his NHL debut with a single game last season, has scored in all three games of the season — the only Rangers rookie to do so.
The first goal came just over one minute into the game when he tucked a Kevin Hayes rebound past Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. He followed it up just a few minutes later with another slick goal.
Lindberg’s efforts, backed up by some amazing saves from goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, powered the Rangers to a big 5-2 win to sweep the teams’ home-and-home.
Jared McCann shows Vancouver exactly why he’s on the roster…
McCann made a strong case for a spot on the Vancouver Canucks‘ roster out of training camp, part of several young up-and-comers who forced the Canucks’ front office to fast-forward the team’s burgeoning youth movement.
The 18-year-old McCann rewarded the big club for giving him a roster spot with this gorgeous snipe of a goal:
The Flames, of course, pulled a Flames … forcing overtime and winning with a thrilling three-on-three goal from Johnny Gaudreau.
Jaromir Jagr joins some very elite company…
Veteran Jaromir Jagr’s two goals on the night didn’t just help the Florida Panthers to their dominant 7-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, they also wrote him into the NHL’s record books — twice.
Jagr’s first goal of the game earned him a spot among some very elite company.
Then came the 43-year-old’s second goal.
Jagr — who is officially bringing back that glorious mullet — wasn’t the only one to make history. The entire Panthers team set a franchise record for fastest four goals to start a game.
Phil Kessel scores his first goal as a Penguin…
Different city. Different jersey. Different linemates. Same sniper.
Former Toronto Maple Leafs winger Phil Kessel scored his first goal as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and it was just what the people of Pittsburgh have been waiting for.
The new Penguin, skating on a line with Sidney Crosby, stole the puck in the neutral zone and sent a signature wristshot past Arizona Coyotes netminder Mike Smith to tie the game. Textbook Kessel.
Alex Ovechkin starts the season with a stunner…
As gorgeous as Kessel’s goal was … we saved the best for last tonight — and it just so happens to be Alex Ovechkin’s first of the season. The Great No. 8’s stunner served as the go-ahead goal for the Washington Capitals as they defeated the New Jersey Devils.
Now, let’s all sit back, relax, and enjoy the process as the Russian superstar attempts to top that.
