The NHL 2023-24 season continued with thrilling action as teams delivered dramatic comebacks, dominant performances, and exciting debuts. Veteran leaders like Anze Kopitar and Mason Marchment came up big for their teams, while young talents showcased their potential. Let’s dive into the key highlights from an action-packed Thursday night.
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Anze Kopitar’s Third-Period Hat Trick Lifts Kings Past Sabres
Kopitar’s Leadership Shines in Season Opener
Anze Kopitar led the Los Angeles Kings to a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, scoring all three of the Kings’ goals in the third period. With Los Angeles trailing 1-0 heading into the final frame, Kopitar tied the game just 13 seconds into the third period, igniting the comeback. The 37-year-old captain then capitalized on a five-on-three power play, netting the go-ahead goal with 1:38 left in regulation. Kopitar sealed the win with an empty-net goal, securing the first hat trick of the NHL season.
Darcy Kuemper’s Stellar Goaltending
Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper made 32 saves, helping the Kings overcome a slow start where they were outshot 27-11 in the first two periods. Kuemper’s timely saves allowed the Kings to stay within reach, ultimately paving the way for Kopitar’s heroics.
Sabres’ Early Lead Not Enough
Buffalo’s Alex Tuch scored in the second period to give the Sabres a 1-0 lead, but they couldn’t hold off the Kings’ third-period surge. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 20 shots, but the Sabres struggled on the power play, going 0-for-5, and have now scored just three goals in their first three games of the season.
Blues Rally to Edge Sharks in Overtime
Schenn’s OT Winner Caps Blues’ Comeback
Brayden Schenn scored in overtime to complete a thrilling 5-4 comeback victory for the St. Louis Blues over the San Jose Sharks. The Blues trailed by three goals in the third period but stormed back to force overtime, where Schenn’s goal secured the win.
Key Performances: Blues’ Late Surge
Pavel Buchnevich, Radek Faksa, Ryan Suter, and Justin Faulk also scored for the Blues, with Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas contributing two assists each. Blues goalie Joel Hofer made 25 saves, keeping St. Louis within striking distance until their late offensive burst.
Sharks’ Celebrini Impresses in Debut
First overall pick Macklin Celebrini had an impressive NHL debut, recording a goal and an assist. Tyler Toffoli also added a goal and an assist for San Jose, while goalie Mackenzie Blackwood made 35 saves but couldn’t hold off the Blues’ third-period rally.
Utah Outlasts Islanders in Overtime
Guenther Leads Utah to Second Straight OT Win
Dylan Guenther scored his second goal of the game at 2:18 of overtime, giving the Utah Hockey Club a 5-4 victory over the New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y. Guenther’s game-winner marked his second straight two-goal game to start Utah’s inaugural NHL season, as they improved to 2-0.
Islanders Squander Late Lead
New York’s Maxim Tsyplakov, signed out of Russia’s KHL in May, scored his first NHL goal with 2:07 left in regulation to give the Islanders a 4-3 lead, but they couldn’t hold on. Goalie Semyon Varlamov made 28 saves, but Guenther’s overtime heroics spoiled the Islanders’ season opener.
Bruins Hold Off Canadiens for Ninth Straight Home Opener Win
Kastelic’s First Goals as a Bruin Key to Victory
Mark Kastelic scored his first two goals as a Boston Bruin, helping the team overcome a 2-1 deficit and secure a 6-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Kastelic’s second goal came late in the third period, providing crucial insurance as the Canadiens tried to rally.
Bruins Continue Home Opener Dominance
Boston’s win marked their ninth consecutive home-opening victory. Jeremy Swayman, fresh off signing an eight-year, $66 million extension, made 21 saves in his first start of the season. The Bruins’ balanced attack, featuring contributions from multiple players, helped them withstand Montreal’s comeback attempt.
Gallagher and Caufield Shine in Losing Effort
Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher scored twice, and Cole Caufield added a goal, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with Boston’s four-goal outburst. Canadiens goalie Cayden Primeau, making his season debut, stopped 23 shots but couldn’t stop the Bruins from pulling away.
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Senators Defeat Panthers Behind Ullmark’s Debut
Linus Ullmark Strong in Ottawa Debut
Linus Ullmark made 30 saves in his first start with the Ottawa Senators, leading his new team to a 3-1 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Ullmark, acquired from the Bruins in a June trade, delivered a stellar performance, particularly in the third period when he stopped 16 shots.
Stutzle Leads Senators’ Offense
Tim Stutzle scored twice, including the game-winner, while Shane Pinto also found the back of the net for Ottawa. The Senators’ defense held strong, preventing the Panthers from building momentum as they began a four-game road trip.
Penguins Spoil Red Wings’ Season Opener
Beauvillier Leads Pittsburgh to 6-3 Victory
Anthony Beauvillier scored twice, leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings in their season opener. The Penguins rebounded from a 6-0 loss to the Rangers the previous night, thanks to a balanced offensive effort and solid goaltending from Joel Blomqvist, who made 29 saves.
DeBrincat’s Two Goals Not Enough for Detroit
Detroit’s Alex DeBrincat had two goals and an assist, but the Red Wings couldn’t keep pace with Pittsburgh’s offensive firepower. Ville Husso struggled in net, allowing four goals on 14 shots before being replaced by Cam Talbot, who made 12 saves but allowed two goals.
Maple Leafs Hold Off Devils Behind Hildeby’s Strong Debut
Hildeby Shines in NHL Debut
Dennis Hildeby made 22 saves in his NHL debut, backstopping the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils. Toronto’s quick start, with three goals in the first period, proved too much for the Devils to overcome.
Keefe’s Home Debut Spoiled
The Devils’ Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier each scored, but New Jersey was unable to extend their 2-0 start to the season. The loss spoiled the home debut of coach Sheldon Keefe, who had previously coached the Maple Leafs for four-plus seasons.
Stars Power Past Predators in Season Opener
Marchment’s Two Goals Lead Dallas
Mason Marchment scored twice, highlighting a four-goal second period as the Dallas Stars earned a 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators. Marchment’s goals fueled a dominant middle frame for Dallas, with Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson also finding the back of the net.
Forsberg Makes History for Nashville
Filip Forsberg scored a power-play goal in the second period, becoming the first player in NHL history to record a point in nine straight season-opening games. Despite Forsberg’s record-setting achievement, the Predators couldn’t overcome the Stars’ explosive second period.
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Postgame Reactions and Key Takeaways
Kopitar Reflects on Hat Trick Performance
Anze Kopitar expressed gratitude for his teammates’ efforts after his third-period hat trick led the Kings to victory. “It’s always special to contribute like this, but the whole team played a role in turning the game around,” Kopitar said after the game.
Marchment Credits Team for Strong Start
Mason Marchment praised the Stars’ second-period surge as a key to their win. “Everyone was clicking, and we capitalized on our chances. It’s a great way to start the season,” Marchment commented.
Ullmark Enjoys Successful Senators Debut
Linus Ullmark shared his excitement after a successful debut with Ottawa. “It feels great to get the first win under my belt with this team. We worked hard, and it paid off,” Ullmark said following the game.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for These Teams
The Kings, Blues, and Bruins will look to build on their early season success as they aim for strong starts in their respective divisions. Meanwhile, teams like the Sabres, Islanders, and Red Wings will regroup and focus on bouncing back in their next outings. With the NHL season just getting underway, expect more drama and excitement as teams continue to compete for early momentum.
