NEW FACES SHINE FOR PREDATORS IN FIRST GAME OF GLOBAL SERIES

The first 2022 NHL Global Series game in Prague, Czechia, ended in a 4-1 win for the Predators, who received goals from new acquisitions Kiefer Sherwood (1-1—2) and Nino Niederreiter (1-0—1) while also finding contribution from a familiar face in Filip Forsberg (0-1—1).

• Sherwood opened the scoring 1:01 into the first period, marking the third-fastest goal from the start of a season-opening game in Predators history, behind J-P Dumont (0:39 on Oct. 5, 2006) and Martin Erat (0:39 on Jan. 19, 2013). It also marked the fourth-fastest goal from the start of a regular-season game contested outside North America.
• Forsberg assisted on Matt Duchene’s empty-net goal and extended his streak of recording a point in season-opening games to seven – the longest active run in the NHL. Of note, three other players who have yet to play their 2022-23 season opener have an active run of six straight campaigns: Patrik Laine (CBJ), Leon Draisaitl (EDM) and Morgan Rielly (TOR).

HERTL WOWS IN FRONT OF HOME CROWD

Playing an NHL game in his hometown for the first time, Tomas Hertl scored in front of his family and friends in a roaring O2 Arena on Friday. He became the second Czech-born player to score an NHL regular-season goal in the country, joining Radim Vrbata who tallied twice for the Coyotes against the Bruins in Prague on Oct. 9, 2010.

• ICYMI: Prior to the game, Czech football legend Petr Čech participated in the ceremonial puck drop between San Jose’s Tomas Hertl and Nashville’s Roman Josi.

SHARKS, PREDATORS SET FOR GLOBAL SERIES REMATCH SATURDAY

The Predators will look to sweep the Global Series against the Sharks when the clubs clash at O2 Arena in Prague for the second time in as many days (2 p.m. ET on BSSO, NHLN, NBCSCA). Nashville can open the regular season with consecutive wins for the 10th time in franchise history and fifth time in the last eight seasons.

KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE AT ELSIPOGTOG FIRST NATION
After earning a 4-3 win in the Kraft Hockeyville 2020 contest in Gander, N.L., the Senators are set to face off against the Canadiens again in their preseason finale at J.K. Irving Centre in Bouctouche, N.B., on Saturday (6:30 p.m. ET on TVAS) as part of Elsipogtog First Nation’s Kraft Hockeyville 2021 celebrations. The Stanley Cup made a visit to Elsipogtog First Nation’s Rexall Elementary School on Friday before making its way to Chief Young Eagle Recreation Centre, the winning rink which was the first arena built in any First Nation in Eastern Canada.

JAKE ALLEN ATTENDS HOCKEYVILLE FESTIVITIES IN RETURN TO HOME PROVINCE
Jake Allen, a native of Fredericton, N.B., visited Chief Young Eagle Recreation Centre on Friday and is expected to tend the crease in front of his home-province crowd Saturday. The Canadiens goaltender is an active member of his community and frequently participates in initiatives to give back to the province. In 2016, Allen launched “Program 34” with the goal of providing financial assistance to charities across New Brunswick.

NHL OFFICIALS JEAN HEBERT, JESSE MARQUIS RETURN TO HOMETOWN
NHL referee Jean Hebert and linesman Jesse Marquis, who both hail from Bouctouche, N.B., will be officiating the Kraft Hockeyville game in their home rink, J.K. Irving Centre. Hebert and Marquis were joined by Ghislain Hebert and Steve Barton, the other officials for Saturday’s game, for a clinic in nearby Richibucto, N.B.

• Hebert played minor hockey in Bouctouche and became connected to Elsipogtog First Nation by teammates and coaches from his playing days. Deeply rooted to his community, Hebert has helped fundraise over $100,000 for the local minor hockey and ringette associations through the Jean Hebert Golf Tournament, helping to provide equipment and subsidizing player costs.
• Marquis’ path to the NHL included lots of time spent officiating at J.K. Irving Arena, from minor hockey games to the Allan Cup (senior men’s amateur championship) to his final QMJHL contest. Marquis, who said he will always call Bouctouche home, returns to New Brunswick every offseason.

NEW LEADERS BEHIND BENCHES, IN FRONT OFFICES
Along with the whirlwind of player movement seen throughout the offseason, there was also significant turnover behind the bench as 10 clubs enter the 2022-23 season with a new head coach, matching the highest total to start a campaign in League history (also 10 in 1997-98).

• Nearly one-third of NHL clubs (10 of 32) will begin 2022-23 with a head coach behind the bench who did not hold the position (interim or permanent) last season, with details on each included in an #NHLStats look at New Head Coaches and General Managers this season.
• The Sharks are the only club that enter 2022-23 with both a new head coach and new general manager. David Quinn made his team debut behind the bench Friday in Prague and Mike Grier was named the first Black GM in League history just before the 2022 NHL Draft