NHL NEWS OCTOBER 18 – HOSSA HITS 500-GOAL MILESTONE

Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa became the 44th player in NHL history to reach the 500-goal plateau when he scored a second-period power-play goal against the Flyers. Hossa is just the fourth active player to reach the milestone, behind Jaromir Jagr (749),Jarome Iginla (612) and Alex Ovechkin (526).

Hossa is also within reach of two other career milestones – he sits seven assists shy of 600 and seven points from 1,100.

AUSTON MATTHEWS FACES PATRIK LAINE FOR FIRST TIME IN THE NHL

The top two picks from the 2016 NHL Draft will go head-to-head for the first time at the NHL level when Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs visit Patrik Laine and the Winnipeg Jets. Matthews, who was selected first overall, became the first player in the modern era to score four goals in his NHL debut and has recorded 4-0—4 in two games. Laine, the No. 2 overall pick, also scored in his NHL debut and has recorded 1-1—2 through his first three games.

NHL MUSINGS

• Taylor Hall (2-0—2) scored both Devils goals in their home opener, a 2-1 victory
• Al Montoya (36 SV) become the fifth Canadiens goaltender in the expansion era (since 1967-68) to record a shutout in the team’s home opener and the second to do so in as many years (Carey Price: 25 SV in 3-0 W vs. NYR on Oct. 15, 2015)
• Sharks goaltender Aaron Dell (20 SV) won his NHL debut
• Coyotes forward Dylan Strome, the third overall pick in 2015, earned his first career point in his NHL debut
• Matt Hewitt, a goaltender at the University of British Columbia, signed a contract with the Canucks to serve as the emergency backup to Jacob Markstrom
• Capitals goaltender Phillip Grubauer (18 SV) earned his first career shutout (43 GP) on a night when teammate Braden Holtby was honored during a pregame ceremony in recognition of his 2015-16 season, which saw him win the Vezina Trophy and tie Martin Brodeur’s single-season record of 48 wins
• A mask used by Holtby during the World Cup of Hockey 2016, featuring images of Gord Downie, lead singer of the Tragically Hip, raised more than $27,000 in an online auction.

TUESDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
NEW JERSEY 2, Anaheim 1
San Jose 3, NY ISLANDERS 2
WASHINGTON 3, Colorado 0
MONTREAL 4, Pittsburgh 0
OTTAWA 7, Arizona 4
TAMPA BAY 4, Florida 3 (SO)
Dallas 2, NASHVILLE 1
MINNESOTA 6, Los Angeles 3
CHICAGO 7, Philadelphia 4
CALGARY 4, Buffalo 3 (OT)
EDMONTON 3, Carolina 2
VANCOUVER 2, St. Louis 1 (OT)

WEDNESDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
Detroit @ NY Rangers, 8 p.m.
Toronto @ Winnipeg, 8 p.m.