After the New Jersey Devils with the Swiss trio Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Jonas Siegenthaler opened the NHL season with two wins against the Buffalo Sabers in Prague at the weekend, the best ice hockey league in the world returned to its native habitat in North America .
The champions from Florida made the difference in the first third in the new edition of last year’s playoff quarter-finals. Two double strikes within a little more or exactly one minute at the beginning and end of the period led the home team to victory. The Canadian Sam Bennett was celebrated as a two-goal scorer. Because of Hurricane Milton, it was not clear for a long time whether the game could be played.
Philipp Kuraschew started the season with a defeat. The Swiss striker lost 5-2 with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Utah Hockey Club (previously Arizona Coyotes) in Salt Lake City. The guests came back after a 3-0 deficit. However, two goals conceded in the final minute ensured a clear verdict in the end in a balanced game (26:27 shots on goal). Kurashev, who celebrates his 25th birthday on Saturday, had just under 18 minutes of ice time and had a minus-2 record.