NHL Wednesday: Rangers rain on Chicago’s parade with opener win

So, this season, perhaps more than most, is incredibly important for the franchise. As is the prospect of a strong start; the top of the Metro will be crowded with strong teams this year, and any lengthy falter at the start of the season could spell doom by the end of it.

Rangers 3, Blackhawks 2

Couture suffered nothing more than a bloodied nose, but the question remains whether Brown’s hit was legal or whether he targeted the head of a vulnerable player. It certainly doesn’t look better when you slow the tape down.

Despite a reputation for a particularly physical style of play, Brown has only been suspended once for elbowing Jason Pominville in 2013, and has never been fined.