NHL REVIEW OCTOBER 8, 2025 – MAPLE LEAFS WIN 10TH STRAIGHT HOME OPENER

William Nylander (1-2—3) and Auston Matthews (1-0—1) accounted for two of three goals in the final frame and helped the Maple Leafs win their 10th straight home opener as well as their 11th straight home game against the Canadiens dating to April 7, 2021. Toronto has posted only two other runs of that length versus one opponent (12 GP vs. VAN from Feb. 8, 2014 – May 1, 2021 & 11 GP vs. MMR from Dec. 6, 1931 – Nov. 17, 1934).

• Matthews scored his 13th career goal in a season-opening game and tied Alex Ovechkin for the most among active players. He trails only Michel Goulet and Dino Ciccarelli for the most in NHL history (both w/ 14).
• Nylander (7-8—15 in 9 GP) surpassed Darryl Sittler (8-4—12 in 12 GP) for the third-most career points by a Maple Leafs player in season-opening games. The only players with more are Mats Sundin (7-10—17 in 13 GP) and Matthews (13-3—16 in 9 GP).

FLAMES, KINGS CAP NIGHT WITH MULTI-GOAL COMEBACK WIN

The second day of the 2025-26 regular season concluded with the Flames completing a three-goal comeback win in the ‘Battle of Alberta’ during a contest that featured Matvei Gridin score in his NHL debut and Leon Draisaitl reach the 400-goal milestone. In another Pacific Division matchup, it was the Kings who outlasted the Golden Knights in a contest that saw both clubs overcome a multi-goal deficit.

• Gridin, who was selected by the Flames 28th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft and spent last season skating with the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL, became the fourth teenager in franchise history to score in his NHL debut, joining Zayne Parekh (April 17, 2025), Jarome Iginla (Oct. 5, 1996) and Brian Glynn (Oct. 8, 1987). He helped Calgary record its second three-goal comeback win in the ‘Battle of Alberta’ during the regular season (also March 26, 2011), the most by either team.
• Draisaitl became the fourth player in Oilers history and third fastest to score 400 goals (791 GP), trailing Wayne Gretzky (436 GP) and Jari Kurri (608 GP). He also became the ninth-fastest player born outside of North America to reach the milestone on a list topped by Kurri (608 GP), Alex Ovechkin (634 GP), Pavel Bure (635 GP), Teemu Selanne (700 GP), Jaromir Jagr (742 GP), Ilya Kovalchuk (771 GP), Peter Bondra (782 GP) and Alexander Mogilny (783 GP).
• Trevor Moore and Brandt Clarke scored in the final 8:21 to force extra time, where the Kings eventually triumphed in a shootout. Los Angeles earned its first third-period, multi-goal comeback win since Dec. 5, 2023 (4-3 OT W at CBJ) and extended its winning streak in road openers to four – only two other teams have an active run of that length: Carolina (7 GP from 2018-19 – 2024-25) and Philadelphia (4 GP from 2021-22 – 2024-25).

SCHAEFER DEBUT HEADLINES THURSDAY’S 14-GAME SLATE

The 2025-26 season will really hit its stride Thursday with 28 teams in action, including 19 clubs contesting their first game of the campaign, and a highly anticipated debut by the top pick from the 2025 NHL Draft: Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer.

• Schaefer was among five members of the 2025 NHL Draft class to crack a season-opening roster, along with Sharks forward Michael Misa (2nd overall), Predators forward Brady Martin (5th overall), Penguins forward Ben Kindel (11th overall) and Canucks forward Braeden Cootes (15th overall). Misa, Martin and Cootes could also make their League debut tonight, while Kindel (15:11 TOI) skated in Pittsburgh’s season-opening game on Oct. 7.
• The last time at least five members of a draft class skated in an ensuing season opener was 2016-17 (6 – Auston Matthews: 1st overall; Patrik Laine: 2nd overall; Jesse Puljujarvi: 4th overall; Matthew Tkachuk: 6th overall; Mikhail Sergachev: 9th overall; Jakob Chychrun: 16th overall). Should Misa also debut, it would mark the first time since 2019-20 that each of the top two draft picks played in their team’s ensuing season opener (Jack Hughes: 1st overall & Kaapo Kakko: 2nd overall).
• Should Schaefer (18 years, 34 days) make his debut tonight, he would become the youngest defenseman selected first overall to skate in an NHL game, the second-youngest No. 1 pick at any position to debut (Nathan MacKinnon: 18 years, 31 days on Oct. 2, 2013) and the second-youngest defenseman in the past 70 years to debut (Chris Joseph: 18 years, 28 days on Oct. 8, 1987 w/ PIT).
• Schaefer can become the youngest defenseman in League history with a point in his first career game, a mark held by Scott Niedermayer (18 years, 46 days on Oct. 16, 1991). Schaefer can also best forward Dave Chyzowski (18 years, 86 days on Oct. 5, 1989) as the youngest skater in Islanders history to find the score sheet in his NHL debut.
• One of Schaefer’s first experiences in the NHL will be lining up opposite another high-profile first-overall pick selected 20 years earlier in Penguins forward Sidney Crosby. Crosby is skating in his 21st season, a campaign that will see him suit up for Team Canada again at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and continue to chase history – he needs 37 points to pass Mario Lemieux (1,723) for the most in franchise history and for eighth place on the League’s all-time list as well as two assists to leapfrog Steve Yzerman (1,063) for the ninth most in NHL history.

FIVE MORE THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR ON THURSDAY

The first two ESPN+ exclusive games of the season open with a First Round playoff rematch between the Hurricanes and Devils (CAR: 4-1) followed by a Pacific Division showdown between the Golden Knights and Sharks. The Devils were without Jack Hughes in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs due to injury, but the star forward is slated to suit up for his first game since March 2. He will do so alongside brother Luke Hughes, a defenseman who signed a seven-year extension prior to the season. The two participated in Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp prior to the season alongside sibling Quinn Hughes, who has already been named to the team and will also make his season debut tonight as captain of the Canucks.

Kane closing in on U.S. record

Veteran Red Wings forward Patrick Kane will make his season debut with a couple of big milestones on the horizon in 2025-26. Kane needs eight tallies to become the fifth U.S.-born player in NHL history to reach the 500-goal milestone and 32 points to surpass Mike Modano (1,374) as the highest-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL history. Modano has held the mark since passing Phil Housley on Nov. 7, 2007.

Utah enters season with Mammoth name, goal of postseason berth

With a team name and logo finalized, the Mammoth now look to follow in the footsteps of the last two franchises to join the League before them: qualify for the playoffs within their first two seasons, after Vegas (season 1) and Seattle (season 2) both did so. First up, captain Clayton Keller and the team will attempt to become the fourth franchise in NHL history to win each of their first two season-opening contests, following the Rangers (7 GP), Sabres (3 GP) and New York Americans (2 GP).

Jets hope signings continue success of Presidents’ Trophy season

After the Jets earned the franchise’s first Presidents’ Trophy last season with feel-good storylines like Connor Hellebuyck’s third Vezina Trophy and Mark Scheifele claiming the franchise goals record, the team made a couple key signings looking to maintain the momentum. On Wednesday, the Jets signed seven-time 30-goal scorer Kyle Connor to an eight-year extension on the heels of him producing the highest-scoring season in Jets team history (41-56—97 in 2024-25) and prior to the campaign added Winnipeg native and three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews, whose status is uncertain for the opener, as he returns to the League after last playing on April 13, 2023 (w/ CHI). The Jets open the season against the Stars, who eliminated Winnipeg in the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs en route to Dallas’ third straight Conference Finals appearance.