The World Series got underway Tuesday, as did the NBA’s regular season, but that didn’t stop the NHL from stealing some headlines.
Here are nine things we learned on a busy night in the NHL.
Canadiens fall short of record start…
The Canadiens had not allowed a first-period goal all season until the Canucks buried three on Carey Price in the opening frame Tuesday as Vancouver handed Montreal its first loss of the season.
Montreal was one win away from tying the NHL record for the best start to a season that the 1993-94 Maple Leafs and 2006-07 Sabres currently hold. The Canucks had not won in regulation against the Canadiens in six years.
The Canucks put and end to the streak with a lopsided 5-1 win.
Krejci continues to light it up…
With two goals against the Arizona Coyotes, David Krejci extended his point streak to eight games and briefly took the NHL scoring lead – Jamie Benn leapfrogged him later in the night. Krejci now has 14 points in eight games and his seven goals equals his goal total from last season (he had seven goals, 31 points in 47 games in 2014-15). His career high in goals (23 in 2012), assists (51 in 2009) and points (73 in 2009) are on pace to be shattered. He’s doing it in style too.
Nurse nets his first…
In his third career NHL game, Darnell Nurse made an impact on the score sheet as he netted his first career goal. The rookie blueliner went end-to-end and ripped a clapper home in what Oilers fans hope is a sign of things to come.
Dumba could be hearing from the league…
Wild defenceman Matt Dumba wasn’t penalized for his hit on Lauri Korpikoski, but he might receive a phone call from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for it. Dumba hammered Korpikoski as the Oilers attempted to break out of their end midway through the first period. It looks as though Korpikoski’s head was the principal point of contact, which is something the league frowns upon. Korpikoski left the game briefly but eventually returned.
Gerbe and Tatar fought, but not really…
You know the saying, “pick on somebody your own size?” Well, Nathan Gerbe does. The Hurricanes forward didn’t appreciate a shoulder he took from Tomas Tatar of the Red Wings during an offside play. The 5-fot-5, 178-pound Gerbe confronted his fellow lightweight and the two tussled. The pint-sized pugilists weren’t given fighting majors, though. Tatar got two minutes for roughing, while Gerbe got four minutes.
Iginla and others hits milestones…
Jarome Iginla became the 35th player in NHL history to play 1,400 career games Tuesday. Jaromir Jagr (1,559) and Shane Doan (1,404) are the only two active players who have played more games than Iginla.
In other milestone news, Wild captain Zach Parise and Jets captain Andrew Ladd each played their 700th career game, while Roberto Luongo picked up his 404th career win, which passed Grant Fuhr for ninth on the all-time wins list.
Bobrovsky finally comes through for Blue Jackets…
Sergei Bobrovsky finally looked liked Sergei Bobrovsky. The 2013 Vezina winner started the season 0-6, allowing 26 goals and admittedly losing confidence in himself. On Tuesday, the Russian stopped 23 of 24 shots to lead the Blue Jackets to a second straight win. He had a shutout going until late in the third period due to efforts like this.
Oilers’ young guns extend impressive point streaks…
The wonder kid is in a groove, y’all. After registering just one point in his first four games, Connor McDavid is on a roll. The Oilers centre extended his point streak to six games Tuesday. He has nine points during this stretch and he’s getting some help from a fellow first-overall pick. His linemate Nail Yakupov also extended his point streak to six games and the two forwards. These two combined for 17 points in those games.
The Ducks remember how to score, but not win…
The Ducks only mustered six goals in the first eight games of the season. On Tuesday, they managed to score three times in the first period against the Stars. That’s good, right? Not when you consider the fact they blew a 3-0 and lost 4-3 in regulation. The Ducks are now 1-6-2, the worst record in the Western Conference.
Poor Bruce Boudreau.
