* Taylor Hall and Brad Marchand reached career milestones on Saturday as the Bruins halted the Panthers’ season-opening win streak and handed Florida its first regular-season loss in 187 days and 14 games. * Ryan Nugent-Hopkins became the third player in Oilers history to record 10 assists in seven or fewer games as Edmonton scored at least one power-play goal for the seventh straight contest.
* Carolina, the lone undefeated team in 2021-22, is one of 10 clubs that will take to the ice on Halloween. The Hurricanes will look to become the eighth team in NHL history to win each of their first eight games of a season.
HALL, MARCHAND HELP BRUINS HAND PANTHERS FIRST LOSS OF 2021-22
After both teams honored their former teammate, Jimmy Hayes, in a pre-game ceremony and wore ‘Haysey’ and ‘Broadway’ on their backs during warm-up, Taylor Hall (0-2—2) and Brad Marchand (0-1—1) reached career milestones as the Bruins ended the Panthers’ season-opening win streak at eight games. Saturday marked Florida’s first regular-season loss since April 26 at the hands of the Predators – 187 days and 14 games ago.
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* Hall (230-371—601 in 687 GP) joined Tyler Seguin (283-357—640 in 752 GP) as the second player from the 2010 NHL Draft to record 600 career points. Hall, the first-overall pick, reached the mark in six fewer games than the No. 2 selection.
NUGENT-HOPKINS ADDS HELPER ON YET ANOTHER OILERS POWER-PLAY GOAL
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (0-1—1) registered his NHL-leading 10th assist and Connor McDavid (0-1—1) extended his season-opening point streak to seven games as the pair factored on one of the Oilers’ two power-play goals Saturday. Edmonton has now scored on the man advantage in each of its first seven games to start the 2021-22 season.
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* Nugent-Hopkins (0-10—10) became the third player in franchise history to record 10 assists in seven or fewer games, joining Connor McDavid (7 GP in 2019-20) and Wayne Gretzky (5 GP in 1986-87; 6 GP in 1987-88 & 1983-84; 7 GP in 1985-86, 1984-85 & 1982-83).
TRICKS AND TREATS FROM SATURDAY
* Jesper Bratt (1-1—2) scored the game-winning goal on a penalty shot and Jonathan Bernier recorded 33 saves as the Devils edged the Penguins in Sidney Crosby’s return to the lineup. Bernier became just the second goaltender to win each of his first three games with the franchise, joining Al Smith (3-0-0 w/ CLR in 1980-81).
* Jacob Markstrom made 20 saves in a perfect performance for his third shutout in four games to backstop the Flames to their sixth straight win. Calgary has not trailed for 426:12, which marks the third-longest stretch the club has gone without trailing in franchise history behind 434:02 from Dec. 2-15, 1999 and 430:41 from Feb. 14 – March 3, 2019.
* John Tavares (1-2—3) factored on three Maple Leafs goals, including two that came in a back-and-forth six-goal third period, as Toronto earned a win against its Original Six rival. It marked Tavares’ 62nd career three-point outing – only seven players have recorded more since he entered the NHL in 2009-10: Sidney Crosby (110), Patrick Kane (81), Alex Ovechkin (78), Steven Stamkos (77), Connor McDavid (75), Evgeni Malkin (71) and Nicklas Backstrom (69).
HOCKEY HALLOWEEN HIGHLIGHTS SUNDAY SLATE
The undefeated Hurricanes (7-0-0, 14 points) are one of 10 teams that will take to the ice on Halloween. Carolina has its sights set on becoming the eighth team in NHL history, and second this season (also FLA: 8-0-0), to win each of their first eight games of a season.
* While the Kraken are contesting their first-ever game on Halloween, the Rangers (29 GP) and Canadiens (25 GP) have competed in the most among teams playing Sunday.
* Blue Jackets forward Gustav Nyquist, in action Sunday, has collected 4-2—6 in three career games on Halloween, behind only Patrick Kane (4-4—8 in 4 GP) and Corey Perry (3-5—8 in 4 GP) for the most points among active players.
