NHL celebrates return on opening weekend

Chris Ginley

Here’s a look at what happened around the National Hockey League this week.

Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins started off strong by beating the Flyers 3-1 and the Rangers 6-3, both on the road.

Ottawa Senators: The Senators have come out of the gate firing, winning their first two games against the Jets and the Panthers while allowing only one goal in both of those games.

Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres took care of business against the powerful Philadelphia Flyers in their season opener, 5-2, then squeaked past the Maple Leafs 2-1.

Boston Bruins: Tuukka Rask has been filling in quite nicely as starting goalie, allowing only two goals in the Bruins’ first two games, which were both victories over the Rangers and the Jets.

Tampa Bay Lightning: The Lightning’s offense is off to a hot start this season, scoring 13 goals, four of which were power play goals in Tampa Bay’s first three games, in which they went 2-1.

Chicago Blackhawks: Marian Hossa has led the Blackhawks with four goals in two road victories over the Coyotes and the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings.

St. Louis Blues: The Blues started the season off right with a 6-0 thrashing of the Red Wings and followed it up with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Predators.

Columbus Blue Jackets: The Jackets have taken the Predators and the Red Wings to the limit, beating the Predators in a shootout, and losing to the Red Wings in a shootout. New goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was the star for the Jackets in both games.

Minnesota Wild: Goalies Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding have helped the Wild to a 2-1 start, allowing three goals in their first three games.

Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks have won both of their first two games, both in high-scoring fashion, 7-3 over the Canucks and 5-4 over the Flames.

Three Stars

Thomas Vanek, BUF: Vanek could not have had a better start to the season, putting up five points (2 G, 3 A) against the Flyers and followed that up with an assist in the Sabres’ victory over the Maple Leafs on Monday.

Marian Hossa, CHI: Two straight multi-point games puts Hossa up with the league-leaders in points. He scored two goals against the Kings and added another two against the Coyotes.

Craig Anderson, OTT: Anderson has been on fire in the first two games for the Senators, allowing only one goal and stopping 58 of 59 shots that he has faced.

Honorable Mentions:

Martin St. Louis, TB: In games versus the Capitals and the Islanders, St. Louis racked up three goals and two assists.

Vladimir Tarasenko, STL: Three goals, two assists and a +3 rating, Tarasenko is off to a fine start this season.

Daniel Winnik, ANA: Winnik put up five points (4 goals and 1 assist), coupled with a +5 rating, ties him with Saku Koivu for the team lead in points.

Contact Chris Ginley at [email protected].