4 Surprises of the Opening Hockey Weekend
The puck only just dropped and we’re already calling winners and losers.
The puck only just dropped and we’re already calling winners and losers.
(Photo by Mark Buckner/Getty)
Jagr’s still got it
The ageless wonder had a hand in all four goals as the Stars opened their season with a 4-3 win over the Coyotes. Jagr, who is knocking on the door of 41-years-old, posted 19 goals and 35 assists last season. While he certainly benefited from sharing shifts with Claude Giroux and Scotty Hartnell, he seems set on repeating the feat this season. His endurance is a worry, but if age is any indicator one thing seems certain: he loves The Price is Right.
The Blues could be even better
St. Louis dropped the ax on Davis Payne last year after stumbling to a 6-7 start, replacing him with Ken Hitchcock. Hitch led the Blues within two points of the Presidents’ Trophy, and they only have heightened ambitions this season. The only true blow to their corps in the offseason was the departure of human wrecking ball Carlo Colaiacovo, but they bolstered with troubled defenseman Wade Redden (whose impact is still in question) and Ruskie-rookie Vladimir Tarasenko (whose impact is already palpable).
Rookie fever
Speaking of the rookie impact, a kid by the (insanely Canadian) name of Jonathan Huberdeau is bringing some youth to the Panthers, who are looking to repeat their Southeast Division winning effort last season. If you prefer your rookies of the undrafted variety, Cory Conacher has garnered four points and a lot of attention in his first two games. And while the Red Wings don’t look in top shape, this shootout goal by rookie Damien Brunner blew the lid off of any play this weekend. Except maybe one…
The save of the season happened on opening night
There hasn’t been much salvageable about the Rangers’ season so far, but this robbery by Henrik Lundqvist on Saturday night fooled everyone, including David Krejci and the goal light operator.
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