The sweep of the NHL schedule from Thursday night starts in Vancouver where the Canucks made it four straight wins to open the season, this time not needing extra time to get the two points.
Jacob Markstrom made 26 saves in the 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
Daniel Sedin picked up the game winner to support Markstrom’s efforts; his goal in the third period was enough for the Canucks to move to 4-0-0 on the season.
”Just coming back in games, that was huge early,” Sedin said. ”Those first two, three games where we came back from behind, that’s when you realize you can play your system. Keep playing your system, even when you’re down 3-0, it’s going to pay off.
”That’s calmed everyone down and made everyone really believe we can do it.”
Nicholas Baptiste was the lone goal scorer for the Sabres.
This was the first game of the season that the Canucks actually held a lead in regulation.
”I love every second out there,” Markstrom said. ”When stuff like this happens you have to be ready to come in and play.”
Jannik Hansen also scored for the Canucks.
In St Paul, the Minnesota Wild continued to have success early on as they hosted and defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-2.
The Wild were vilified for having signed Eric Staal in the off season as a free agent. But this far Staal has been a bonus and a surprise bonus at that.
On Thursday night he scored twice in the Wild win.
”I never felt like I forgot how to play,” Staal said. ”I knew I could play and I’ve been in this league a long time. But I needed to come here and be ready in training camp, and be fit and hungry. I’ve done that, and now it’s about continuing to build. It’s only been four games.”
Zac Dalpe had the other goal for the Wild who improved to 3-1-0.
Devan Dubnyk made 31 saves to post the win.
Auston Matthews and Roman Polak scored for the Leafs.
”I think we’ve played pretty well to be honest with you,” Toronto coach Mike Babcock said. ”I like the way we play. I like how quick we play. I’d like us to win the games we should win, but I think we’ve done a lot of good things. We’re .500 after four and as we grow up here a little bit, we just got to hang in the hunt the best we possibly can because we’re going to get better fast.”
In his first start as a Maple Leaf, Jhonas Enroth made 24 in taking the loss.
The question for hockey fans is whether or not it is too early or too late to jump on the Edmonton Oilers bandwagon.
On Thursday, the Oilers dumped the St Louis Blues, 3-1, with Cam Talbot making 35 saves to backstop the offense from Milan Lucic, Connor McDavid and Tyler Pitlick.
”Starting 4-1, we couldn’t ask for a better start,” McDavid said. ”I think we’re feeling pretty good about ourselves, but I think it’s about keeping it on an even keel.”
Nail Yakupov was the Blues goal scorer.
”We’ve really wasted some great goaltending displays by Jake. He’s been outstanding and given us a chance to win both of these last two games,” Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock said. ”It’s unfortunate with the way he has been playing to only come out with one point from these last two games.”
Jake Allen took the loss on 22 saves.
‘Tonight was a huge test for us,” Talbot said. ”Any time you can beat a powerhouse like St. Louis, it goes a long way for the confidence in this group and moving forward that’s what we need to have.”
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