Believe it or not, it is already hockey season, and two major headlines coming in to the year took over on opening night Wednesday. First, the defending Stanley Cup Champions have even more to celebrate about following a 7-0 blowout of the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena. The win is the largest for a defending champion on opening night in NHL history, as the Capitals raised the banner of their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Washington wasted little time getting going on their home ice, scoring twice in the first two minutes, including a T.J. Oshie goal 24 seconds in and an Evgeny Kuznetsov tally just 1:23 later. Kuznetsov scored twice on this night, while Braden Holtby enjoyed the support while making 25 saves on the night. He improved to 15-2 with four shutouts in his career against the Bruins.
The quick start for the Capitals marked the fastest two goals by a defending champion to open the season, and they did it in Todd Reirden's first game as the team's coach. They also did this on the same day that forward Tom Wilson was suspended 20 games for an illegal hit to the head during the preseason. Washington scored five goals on the first 19 shots against Tuukka Rask, who fell to 1-11-5 in his career against the Capitals.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs debuted a new face, but a hometown face in John Tavares in their 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens. Tavares scored in his Leafs' debut, while Auston Matthews netted the game-winner just 1:01 in to overtime to help his team start the season on the right foot. Despite this success, the Canadiens controlled most of the game, but could not close the door, despite forcing goalie Frederik Andersen to make 34 saves, including 15 in the third period.
Tavares received a resounding standing ovation before the game and he did not disappoint, while Nazem Kadri added two assists in the win. Despite the win, Matthews admitted after the game that Montreal "outworked us" and said that his team has "a lot to learn moving forward."
The Canadiens got goals from Artturi Lehkonen and Andrew Shaw, while Max Domi added two assists in his team debut. Carey Price made 23 saves on the night, but needed at least a 24th to earn the win. Rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who is the first NHL player born in the 2000s, got an assist in the loss. It was the Leafs who came away with the win at the Air Canada Centre, as they move on to host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.
Washington wasted little time getting going on their home ice, scoring twice in the first two minutes, including a T.J. Oshie goal 24 seconds in and an Evgeny Kuznetsov tally just 1:23 later. Kuznetsov scored twice on this night, while Braden Holtby enjoyed the support while making 25 saves on the night. He improved to 15-2 with four shutouts in his career against the Bruins.
The quick start for the Capitals marked the fastest two goals by a defending champion to open the season, and they did it in Todd Reirden's first game as the team's coach. They also did this on the same day that forward Tom Wilson was suspended 20 games for an illegal hit to the head during the preseason. Washington scored five goals on the first 19 shots against Tuukka Rask, who fell to 1-11-5 in his career against the Capitals.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs debuted a new face, but a hometown face in John Tavares in their 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens. Tavares scored in his Leafs' debut, while Auston Matthews netted the game-winner just 1:01 in to overtime to help his team start the season on the right foot. Despite this success, the Canadiens controlled most of the game, but could not close the door, despite forcing goalie Frederik Andersen to make 34 saves, including 15 in the third period.
Tavares received a resounding standing ovation before the game and he did not disappoint, while Nazem Kadri added two assists in the win. Despite the win, Matthews admitted after the game that Montreal "outworked us" and said that his team has "a lot to learn moving forward."
The Canadiens got goals from Artturi Lehkonen and Andrew Shaw, while Max Domi added two assists in his team debut. Carey Price made 23 saves on the night, but needed at least a 24th to earn the win. Rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who is the first NHL player born in the 2000s, got an assist in the loss. It was the Leafs who came away with the win at the Air Canada Centre, as they move on to host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.
