Three Stars
1. Leon Draisaitl, Oilers
The big Oilers forward blew away previous career-highs last season, scoring an impressive 50 goals and 105 points. Considering the 21.6 shooting percentage he rode, and previous seasons of 70 and 77 points, many expected Draisaitl to come down to Earth.
Well, he began the 2019-20 season just as hot.
Draisaitl was the only player to score three points on Wednesday (one goal, two assists), and the Oilers needed all three of them in a snug 3-2 win against the Canucks. Draistail also generated a +2 rating, six shots on goal, and logged a defenseman-like 26:46 TOI in that win (about five minutes more than Connor McDavid’s 21:40).
2. Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs
Matthews continues to be a force on opening nights, generating two goals as the Maple Leafs shook off a shaky start to cruise against the Senators. One of Matthews’ two goals ended up being the game-winner, and both came off absolutely splendid passes (from William Nylander and Mitch Marner respectively).
John Tavares ended up being named captain instead of Matthews (understandably), but if you handed out an “O” for opening nights, you’d have to hand that letter to Matthews.
Matthews had a +2 rating and eight SOG.
3. Reilly Smith, Golden Knights
If you prefer, you might name Mark Stone as the better Golden Knight of that dominant win for Vegas, as Stone generated two points (1G, 1A) of his own while being great all-around as always.
It felt like Smith was everywhere whenever given a chance, though. Smith scored two goals, including a shorthanded laugher, and could easily have had two shorthanded tallies if not for a great breakaway save by Martin Jones.
Wednesday was quite a display for Vegas’ long-running top (or 1A/1B?) line of Smith (five SOG), William Karlsson (two assists, six SOG), and Jonathan Marchessault (an unusually deferential one SOG).
Highlight of the Night
Connor McDavid’s goal wasn’t necessarily the prettiest of the first night of the 2019-20 season, but it ranks as one of those moments where McDavid makes NHL defensemen look overmatched and, well, not like professionals. While the Oilers haven’t been on most preseason picks lists, few would be that shocked if McDavid, Draisaitl, and a select few other players find a way to drag Edmonton to the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Especially after watching goals like these:
Factoids
- Cody Glass already made history by becoming the first Golden Knights draft pick to play an NHL game for Vegas. He followed that up by scoring a nice goal, becoming the youngest Golden Knights player (20 years, 184 days apparently) to score a goal.
- Again, Matthews is really good at this Game 1 thing.
Auston Matthews of the @MapleLeafs is the fourth player in NHL history to score in each of his first four career season openers.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 3, 2019
The others:
Dit Clapper (1927-28 – 1930-31)
Dave Andreychuk (1982-83 – 1985-86)
Sergei Fedorov (1990-91 –1993-94)#NHLStats #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/06ujkokyuN
Apparently this is McDavid’s sixth goal in an opener, setting an Oilers record.
Golden Knights did a thing
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3I1EtKl4Sf/
Scores
TOR 5 - OTT 3
WSH 3 - STL 2 (OT)
EDM 3 - VAN 2
VGK 4 - SJS 1
MORE:
• ProHockeyTalk’s Stanley Cup picks
• Your 2019-20 NHL on NBC TV schedule
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.
