NHL Review October 16, 2021
DEVILS, CANUCKS WITHSTAND FRANTIC FINISHES ON FRIDAY NIGHT. . .
The Blackhawks (final 4:00) and Flyers (final 3:00) each had multi-goal rallies in the late stages of the third period to extend their games past regulation, but the Canucks and Devils stood their ground for victories in thrilling finishes at arenas roughly 90 miles from one another.
- Seven of 19 games played this season have seen a team erase a deficit of two or more goals to at least tie the game, with two earning victories: the Panthers (vs. PIT) and Lightning (at DET) each did so Thursday.
- Had Philadelphia earned the victory – after trailing by two goals with 2:17 left in the third period – it would have been the latest multi-goal comeback win in a season opener in NHL history. In fact, only two teams have overcome a multi-goal deficit in the final seven minutes of regulation to win their season opener – including Florida’s victory Thursday (also WPG on Oct. 13, 2016).
- Brothers Jack Hughes (2-0—2; NJD) and Quinn Hughes (0-1—1; VAN) each found the score sheet in their respective team’s victories, with Jack scoring his second career overtime goal and Quinn moving within one point of 100 in his career (12-87—99 in 131 GP).
WHILE FOLIGNO POTS LATE WINNER TO LIFT WILD PAST DUCKS
After Kevin Fiala tied the game for the Wild in the second period, teammate Marcus Foligno provided the late-game heroics by beating Anthony Stolarz (41 saves) in the dying seconds of regulation. Foligno’s goal at 19:52 of the third period marked the latest go-ahead goal in Wild history, besting the previous mark of 19:44 set by Jim Dowd on Jan. 21, 2004
HAMLITON MAKES IMMEDIATE IMPACT WITH DEVILS
Dougie Hamilton (1-0—1), who signed a seven-year contract with the Devils in July, started the opening-night festivities in New Jersey with a goal 17 seconds into his team debut. It was the fastest goal by any defenseman to start a season-opening game in NHL history and the fastest by a blueliner in his debut with any franchise.
FOURTEEN COUNTRIES COMPETE IN TOURNAMENT IN SOUTH FLORIDA
The Panthers are hosting the third annual Amerigol LATAM Cup, a tournament that provides hockey players in Latin America and beyond the opportunity to showcase their talent while also raising awareness of hockey in their countries. Many players practice and play on roller skates, and travel to other countries for ice time. And for the first time, Team Lebanon joins the tournament with a men’s and women’s team. The ice hockey tournament will crown a champion on Oct. 17.
- LATAM Cup attendees inspired by ‘Willie’ documentary
- Stanley Cup takes spotlight at Amerigol LATAM Cup
- VIDEO: 2021 Amerigol LATAM Cup Overview
HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA MAKES SEASON DEBUT WITH DOUBLEHEADER
Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada will make its 2021-22 debut with an all-Canadian doubleheader as the Maple Leafs clash with the Senators in the second half of consecutive head-to-head games and the Flames open against the Oilers in the first “Battle of Alberta” of the season.
- Chris Tierney, who scored in Ottawa’s season opener on Wednesday, has recorded a point in each of his last seven games against the Maple Leafs dating to Feb. 15, 2021 (1-6—7) – the longest active stretch by a Senators player versus a single opponent. Only two players in the NHL have a longer active run against Toronto: Brent Burns (11 GP) and Nikita Kucherov (8 GP).
- Leon Draisaitl, who collected an assist in Edmonton’s season opener, enters Saturday night just one goal shy of 200 in his career (199-308—507 in 479 GP). He can become the second player from the 2014 NHL Draft to reach the mark, after David Pastrnak (200-227—427 in 438 GP).