For the first time this season, we got a real glimpse of what the Dallas Stars are capable of when they went into Columbus and picked up a 4-2 win against the Blue Jackets. Leading the way was their dynamic top-line duo of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, as they combined for all four Dallas goals, including three from Seguin.
NHL scores: Tyler Seguin hat trick leads Stars; Islanders rout Rangers
Tyler Seguin’s first hat trick of the season led the Stars to their first regulation win of the year, while Brock Nelson continued his torrid start to help lead the Islanders to a blowout win over the Rangers.
When the Stars are at their best, those two guys are playing at that kind of level and few duos in the league are capable of that type of dominance. Ryan Johansen ended up scoring a pair of goals to provide the goals for Columbus, but it wasn't enough to extend the Blue Jackets' season-opening win streak to three.
A team that did keep its early-season winning streak going was the New York Islanders, as they went across town and steamrolled the Rangers with a four-goal third period. They received two more goals from newly acquired defenseman Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy, while Brock Nelson added another goal to move into a five-way tie (Victor Hedman, Rick Nash, John Tavares, Wayne Simmonds) for the NHL scoring lead with seven points.
It was also a night of blown leads, as the San Jose Sharks allowed a 3-0 lead disappear before salvaging the night with a 6-5 shootout win in Washington. It was a similar story in Philadelphia, where the Anaheim Ducks needed a shootout to beat the Philadelphia Flyers are building an early 2-0 lead.
The New Jersey Devils also ran their winning streak to three games thanks to a 2-1 win in Tampa Bay on Mike Cammalleri’s fourth goal of the season midway through the third period on the power play.
All the NHL Scores
Stars 4, Blue Jackets 2
Maple Leafs 3, Avalanche 2
Sabres 4, Hurricanes 3
Three things we learned
1. Brooks Orpik had a rough night. The Washington Capitals are on the hook for $27.5 million across the next five seasons, and it was not a good night for the investment on Tuesday. Not only was Orpik on the ice for all five of San Jose's goals in regulation, but he was the defenseman that was victimized by John Scott on his way to his third goal in 237 NHL games. The Capitals would get some revenge on Scott later, though, when Liam O'Brien wagged his tongue at him.
2. The Islanders look pretty good. Specifically their new offseason additions. Jaroslav Halak was great in net during the second period to keep them in the game, while Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy continued to pile up points as they pulled away from the Rangers late in the third period and filled Madison Square Garden with "Let's Go Islanders" chants.
3. The Los Angeles Kings are light years ahead of the Edmonton Oilers. OK, maybe we already knew that, but seeing it on display was just a stunning mismatch, reminiscent of the game in Buffalo on Monday that prompted Buffalo Sabres coach Ted Nolan to call his team a pee-wee team.
Impact Moment
Phil Kessel, that soft, out-of-shape, inconsistent floater doing what he does best: Making NHL defensemen look like they don't belong on the ice. He will score 30 goals again and there will still be people that do nothing but complain about him because he didn't score 40. Crazy league sometimes.
Stat of the Night
The Sabres won Tuesday night against perhaps the only team in the league that can compete with them for worst record in the league. So far this season, we have seen they can’t stop anybody, as every team that has played them has been able to generate at least 70 shot attempts. That is ... not good.
Post to Post
- Taylor Crosby and her journey from Sid's little sister to the starting goalie at Northeastern University.
- The Florida Panthers' attendance woes are nothing to celebrate.
- Buffalo is set to host the 2016 NHL Draft.
- The backwards state of the Chicago Blackhawks' front office following the trade of Nick Leddy to the Islanders.
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