The three-game sweep of the NHL schedule finally has some substance as the 2015-16 season open Wednesday night with four games on the docket.
The Chicago Blackhawks raised a Stanley Cup banner for the third time in six seasons and then hosted the New York Rangers.
A three-goal first period from New York propelled the Rangers to 3-2 win to spoil the Hawks’ celebration.
“We talk about having good starts, and I thought our first period was really strong,” said Rangers center Derek Stepan (who scored the Rangers final goal of the first period). “[In the] second and third [periods], we sat on our toes a little too much, but that’s something we can make adjustments on. We were able to hang on and win a road game.”
Oscar Lindberg and defenseman Kevin Klein also scored for New York.
J.T. Miller had two assists and his line of Lindberg and former Blackhawk Viktor Stalberg were dominating in the first period.
“We’d had a week of practice and a [preseason] game together before [this],” Miller said. “We’re always talking on the bench or in the locker room, and I think we’re all on the same page. I played with [Lindberg] a little bit in Hartford [of the American Hockey League], and [Stalberg] is a great talent. He just flies out there. That kind of makes it easier and just spreads [opposing teams] out. I think our line just did a good job of communicating and playing our game.”
Henrik Lundqvist 32 saves in the game including a Jonathan Toews shot with one minute left that was waved off as a no-goal but went to video review where it was confirmed.
“They like to go across [with passes] a lot,” Lundqvist said. “They had a couple, but not a lot. Great job by the guys. I think they were reading plays really well.”
In Calgary, the visiting Vancouver Canucks got goals from Brandon Sutter, Jannik Hansen, Daniel Sedin, Alexandre Burrows and Henrik Sedin to dump the Flames, 5-1.
“Rivalries are always fun to play in. It’s always a battle,” said former Pittsburgh Penguin Sutter. “They’re always tough games. These two teams played each other in the playoffs last year, and any time you do that, playoffs have the way to change the mindset on the ice when you’re playing a team. It really turns into a battle, a war.”
Jiri Hudler had the Flames only goal.
“It was a lot of things,” Calgary’s Kris Russell said. “Tonight, I don’t think there was one thing that you can say that’s what cost us the game. We had a training camp, just like they had a training camp, so there’s absolutely no excuses. We weren’t ready to play.”
The game started with a fight off the puck drop with the Flames Micheal Ferland, and the Canucks Derek Dorsett dropped their mitts.
“It started right away,” Sutter said. “[Dorsett] did a great job going out and [Prust] a little later in the game. Four pretty tough guys going at it there in those two fights. That’s just the intensity of the game, and those guys don’t get enough credit for what they do. Great way to start the year for them.”
Karri Ramo had 39 saves in the loss.
Ryan Miller made 29 stops for the win.
In Toronto, Mike Babcock’s debut as Maple Leafs head coach was spoiled by the Montreal Canadiens as the Habs took a 3-1 win.
Max Pacioretty scored twice (including an empty-netter) and Alex Galchenyuk added a marker for the Canadiens.
The Leafs had the better of play for much of the game and outshot the Habs.
“There’s no moral victories in the NHL,” said Babcock. “You either won or you lost.”
The work ethic from the Leafs was better than in recent years.
“They certainly worked hard,” Montreal forward Brendan Gallagher said. “They made it tough. I think early on in the game we were having trouble with the adjustments they have made in their system.”
Jonathan Bernier had 28 saves in the loss and Carey Price stopped 36 for the win.
“We had good structure and we did a lot of really good things,” Babcock said. “We played hard enough, but we can still get way better. The part I don’t like is when momentum swings are happening in the game and we get carried away one way or the other way. In other words when we turn over one we end up turning over three.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.