The NHL sweep with the talk of the night
Updated 09.24 | Published 06.40
Share the article
Save the article
NEWARK. “New Connor McDavid” scored his first goal – and the Buffalo Sabers poured new millions over another young defender.
These are some of the points of the night sweep from the NHL.
THE MOST MOVING OF THE NIGHT
All of Calgary is mourning Chris Snow, the Flames assistant coach who passed away at the end of last month in the aftermath of the dreaded disease ALS.
So not many eyes in the Saddledome remained dry when, before tonight’s home opener against Winnipeg, his wife and two children — Kelsie, Cohen and Willa — came onto the ice for a first, ceremonial sign.
By all accounts, the players were inspired too, as they then went out and battled their way to a 5-3 victory – for the Snow family’s sake.
Rasmus Andersson and Elias Lindholm each scored a goal – and the latter also had an assist.
In the box, Jacob Markström had to work hard and stopped a total of 34 shots.
Goal of the night: Connor Bedard’s first NHL goal
The super promise Connor Bedard produced his first NHL point, in the form of an assist, already in his debut against Pittsburgh yesterday – and in the night’s “back-to-back” fight away against Boston, the first goal came as well.
A ridiculously good looking one. (See the full hit here!)
In a burst five and a half minutes into the first period, he first hit a stunning behind-the-back pass to Ryan Donato, then gobbled up a rebound at the backboard—and finally rounded the basket in a move so explosive that even the reigning Vezina Trophy king Linus Ullmark joined in.
– When I saw the puck behind the cage, I thought “Don’t drop this now”. And when it did go in, there was a lot of joy, for sure. That moment is what many people in the world dream of and I feel very lucky to have experienced it, says the 18-year-old to The Athletic.
However, it didn’t get any more fun than that for the Hawks this time. Bedard’s special mentor Taylor Hall was injured after a controversial Brandon Carlo tackle and will be out for a while – and the Bruins turned around and won 3-1.
Shooting king David Pastrnak scored two goals and Ullmark stopped 20 shots – while his compatriot on the other side of the ice, Arvid Söderblom, took 30.
full screen Connor Bedard scored his first NHL goal. Photo: Charles Krupa/AP
The night’s money rain
Just a few days ago, Rasmus Dahlin signed an eight-year contract worth almost one billion kroner.
Last night, the Buffalo Sabers opened the wallet for another young running back. 20-year-old Owen Power – drafted in 2021 – receives $8.35 million per season for seven years – a total of SEK 642 million.
With that deal, the club has five young phantoms secured at least through the 2029-2030 season: Dahlin, Power, Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and Mattias Samuelsson.
fullscreenOwen Power. Photo: Jeff Chiu/AP
NHL veteran of the night
Jordan Staal has turned 35, but the Carolina captain doesn’t seem to age at all.
He was exquisite as the favorites from North Carolina eventually won their season opener against Ottawa 5-3 at home in Raleigh, scoring a blisteringly close backhand goal from close range and assisting on another.
– I think there was a little too much slack in our game tonight, but thanks to our talent we found ways to score enough goals on them, he says.
The team’s only Swede, Jesper Fast, was also noted for an assist.
full screenJordan Staal Photo: Karl B Deblaker/AP
The three wise men of the night
If the Colorado Avalanche are to regain their status as “the best team in the world”, the three superstars in the squad will need to deliver – and as they did in the opening game away to the hungry LA Kings.
Mikko Rantanen accounted for two goals and two assists, Nathan MacKinnon for one goal and one assist and Cale Makar for one goal and one assist.
Therefore, the Avs also won 5-2.
– It felt really good, but I think the whole team played well, not least our new signings, says Makar to TNT.
Carl Grundström scored one of the home goals.
full screenElias Pettersson red-hot last night. Photo: Darryl Dyck / AP
The Swedes of the night in the NHL
Elias Pettersson, absolutely outstanding in the Canucks’ opening match against Edmonton, responsible for a goal and three assists.
Elias Lindholm, a goal and an assist in Calgary’s victory against Winnipeg
Rasmus Andersson, he also scored a goal in Calgary’s fine premiere.
William Nylander, a goal (first blue-yellow of the season!) and an assist.
John Klingberg, two assists in the first game for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Arvid Söderblom. The young keeper did lose his season opener with Chicago but stopped 30 Boston shots.
Jacob Markström, 34 saves broke Winnipeg.
2023-10-12 06:56:15
#Connor #Bedard #scored #goal #feel #lucky