NHL Recap October 13 2019
PENGUINS ERUPT FOR SEVEN GOALS FOR SECOND TIME IN AS MANY DAYS
Zach Aston-Reese (2-1—3), Jake Guentzel and Sam Lafferty each scored twice as the Penguins erupted for seven goals for the second time in as many days to improve to 4-2-0 this season, including wins in each of their last three games. Pittsburgh, which earned a 7-4 win Saturday in Minnesota, scored seven or more goals in consecutive days within a regular season for the fourth time in franchise history and first in nearly 33 years.
Kris Letang collected two assists to record the 500th and 501st regular-season points of his NHL career (114-387—501 in 753 GP). The three-time Stanley Cup champion became the first defenseman in franchise history to reach the 500-point mark.
Letang (2-6—8) and Sidney Crosby (3-7—10), who also recorded two assists Sunday, extended their season-opening point streaks to six games – the longest active runs in the NHL.
STASTNY, PACIORETTY AND STONE HELP GOLDEN KNIGHTS IMPROVE TO 4-2-0
Paul Stastny (2-2—4), Max Pacioretty (1-2—3) and Mark Stone (1-0—1), all additions since the end of Vegas’ inaugural season, combined for 4-4—8 to help the Golden Knights defeat the Kings and improve to 4-2-0 in 2019-20.
Stastny, who scored two power-play goals in a regular-season game for the second time in his NHL career and first since Feb. 20, 2007 as a rookie with the Avalanche (2-1—3 vs. CGY), led all players with four points Sunday. His performance was the 13th instance of a skater recording four points in a game through the first 12 days of the season.
MARLEAU FINDS SCORE SHEET AGAIN IN FIRST GAME BACK AT SAP CENTER
Patrick Marleau (0-1—1) found the score sheet for the second time in as many games since making his 2019-20 debut on Oct. 10 (2-0—2 at CHI) to help the Sharks earn their second straight win following a 0-4-0 start to the season. Marleau, a franchise icon who played his first 19 NHL seasons with San Jose, was brought to tears when he received a standing ovation from fans in his first game back at SAP Center.
WILSON PASSES SMYTHE ON ALL-TIME WINS LIST AMONG GENERAL MANAGERS
Doug Wilson earned his 683rd career regular-season win since being named Sharks general manager on May 13, 2003, passing Conn Smythe (682) for sole possession of 19th place on the NHL’s all-time list. His 683 wins are 12th-most in NHL history by a general manager with one franchise – a list which is topped by longtime Bruins executive Harry Sinden.
PREVIEW OF TODAY’S ACTION
A total of 14 teams are in action across a seven-game slate, including four taking place at 1:00 p.m. ET as Columbus Day is observed in the United States and Thanksgiving is celebrated in Canada.
The Oilers (5-0-0) look to extend their season-opening win streak to six games when they visit United Center to take on the Blackhawks (0-2-1), who are searching for their first win of 2019-20. Edmonton, which has overcome a deficit in all five contests, has won each of its first six or more games in a season on one prior occasion – doing so in 1983-84 (7-0-0) en route to capturing their first of five Stanley Cup championships in a seven-year span (also 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990).
The Avalanche (4-0-0), the only other team without a loss of any kind this season, travel to Capital One Arena to face the Capitals (3-1-2). Colorado has recorded a season-opening win streak of five or more games three times in franchise history (including once as the Quebec Nordiques), doing so in 1985-86 (7-0-0), 1995-96 (5-0-0) and 2013-14 (6-0-0).
The Stars (1-4-1) aim to hand the Sabres (4-0-1) their first regulation loss of the season when both teams square off at KeyBank Center, where the hosts own a 3-0-0 record in 2019-20. The last time Buffalo recorded at least one point in each of its first six or more games in a season was in 2008-09 (6-0-2).
The Bruins (4-1-0) and Ducks (4-1-0) put their identical records on the line in a matinee showdown at TD Garden. The last time Boston earned wins in at least five of its first six games in a season was in 2012-13 (5-0-1), while Anaheim has done so twice in franchise history (5-1-0 in both 2013-14 and 2014-15).
The Islanders (2-3-0) host the Blues (3-1-1), who suffered their first regulation loss of the season Saturday. New York is one of two teams with multiple regular-season wins over St. Louis in the 2019 calendar year, securing victories on Jan. 5 (4-3 W) and 10 days later on Jan. 15 (2-1 OT W).
The Wild (0-4-0) look to earn their first win of the season when they visit Canadian Tire Centre to face the Senators (1-3-0), who secured their first 2019-20 victory Saturday via a 4-2 triumph over the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners.
Aside from Blackhawks and Wild, one other team in action Monday is aiming for its first win of the season: New Jersey (0-3-2), which hosts Florida (1-2-2) at Prudential Center.