NHL Review October 18, 2021

SENATORS CONTINUE HOME SUCCESS WITH WIN VS. STARS

Chris Tierney scored twice and Connor Brown matched a career high with three assists to help Ottawa extend its home win streak to seven games dating to April 26, 2021 – the longest active such run in the NHL. This is the first time since 2016-17 (3-0-0) that the Senators have won each of their first two home games of a season.

• Filip Gustavsson won his first game of 2021-22 and is now 6-1-2 in his career (10 GP). He became the fifth goaltender in Senators history to win at least six of his first 10 career NHL appearances.

MATTHEWS SET FOR SEASON DEBUT AS HOMETOWN HOCKEY SHIFTS TO MONDAYS

Reigning Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner Auston Matthews is expected to make his season debut Monday against the Rangers, as Sportsnet’s Rogers Hometown Hockey shifts from Sundays to Mondays for 2021-22. The first stop on this season’s tour is the township of North Dumfries in Ontario.

• Matthews has a cumulative 9-3—12 across the first game in his five NHL seasons, the most goals and points (tied) in season debuts since he entered the League.
• Matthews (199 G in 334 GP) looks to become the second-fastest player in Maple Leafs history to score 200 NHL goals, behind Charlie Conacher (200 G in 317 GP). Only 18 skaters in League history have accumulated 200 goals in 335 or fewer games, with Alex Ovechkin (200 G in 296 GP) the only active player to do so.

FLAMES, COYOTES EACH AIM FOR A WIN IN HOME OPENER

Monday will mark the first home game of the season for both Calgary and Arizona. The Flames are looking to win their fifth straight home opener dating to 2017-18, while the Coyotes aim to snap a skid in home openers which began that same season (0-2-2). After beginning their home slate with a 3-0 shutout of the Canucks in both 2019-20 and 2020-21, the Flames are in position to become the second club in NHL history to earn a shutout in three consecutive home openers (CHI from 2001-02 to 2003-04).

Flames’ Andersson Fined for Roughing

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for roughing Edmonton Oilers forward Kailer Yamamoto during NHL Game No. 31 in Edmonton on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. The incident occurred at 14:33 of the first period. Andersson was assessed minor penalties for roughing and elbowing. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Stars’ Faksa Fined for Slashing

Dallas Stars forward Radek Faksa has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for slashing Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle during NHL Game No. 34 in Ottawa on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. The incident occurred at 18:23 of the second period. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Kopitar, Ovechkin and Stamkos Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar, Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin and Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Oct. 17.

FIRST STAR – ANZE KOPITAR, C, LOS ANGELES KINGS

Kopitar tallied a League-leading seven points (four goals, three assists) in two games last week, helping the Kings split a pair of contests. He opened the campaign with a record-setting performance Thursday, scoring his fifth NHL hat trick and matching his single-game career high with five points as the Kings defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 6-2 at STAPLES Center. He recorded the most points by a King on opening night in franchise history; became the third player in franchise history with a hat trick in a season-opening game, joining Luc Robitaille (Oct. 6, 1988) and Jari Kurri (Oct. 4, 1991); and, at 34 years and 51 days, became the oldest player in League history with five points in a season opener. He eclipsed the previous mark set by Phil Esposito (31 years, 232 days) on Oct. 10, 1973 (w/ BOS). The Kings captain completed the week by figuring in both of his team’s goals (one goal, one assist) in a 3-2 home loss to Minnesota Saturday.

The 34-year-old Jesenice, Slovenia, native was the Kings’ top pick, 11th overall, in the 2005 NHL Draft and is skating in his 16th season with the club. Kopitar led the Kings in scoring in 2020-21 (13-37—50 in 56 GP), topping the club for the 13th time in the past 14 seasons. He ranks among the franchise’s top five all-time in games (2nd, 1,131); goals (4th, 350); assists (3rd, 657); points (4th, 1,007) and game-winning goals (3rd, 57).

SECOND STAR – ALEX OVECHKIN, LW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Ovechkin notched 3-2—5 in two games as the Capitals opened the season earning three of a possible four points (1-0-1). The Washington captain began his 17th NHL season with 2-2—4 in a 5-1 opening-night victory over the New York Rangers Wednesday. The goals were the 731st and 732nd of his career, moving him past Marcel Dionne (731) into sole possession of fifth place on the NHL’s all-time goals list. Ovechkin improved his career totals to 13-11—24 in his 17 season-opening games, the most such goals and points among active players. He also became the fourth player in NHL history to record at least 150 career multi-goal games, joining Wayne Gretzky (189), Brett Hull (158) and Mario Lemieux (154). Three nights later, Ovechkin accounted for Washington’s lone tally – no. 733 – in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Lightning Saturday. The 36-year-old Moscow native moved within eight of matching Brett Hull (741) for fourth place on the League’s all-time list.

THIRD STAR – STEVEN STAMKOS, C, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Stamkos matched Kopitar’s seven-point output in three games (3-4—7), helping the Lightning begin the defense of their back-to-back Stanley Cup titles with a 2-1-0 record. The Tampa Bay captain began his 14th NHL season by notching an assist on both Lightning goals in a 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday, followed by a two-goal, one-assist effort in a 7-6 come-from-behind overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings Thursday. All three points came after the Red Wings had built a 4-1 lead, including a pair of goals 1:12 apart late in the second period. Stamkos closed the week by recording the overtime winner and one assist in a 2-1 victory over the Capitals Saturday. The 31-year-old Markham, Ont., native is the franchise’s all-time goal-scoring leader (442) and ranks third all-time in games (844), assists (431) and points (873). His next point will tie Vincent Lecavalier (383-491—874) for second place on the Lightning’s all-time list.