Auston Matthews announced his presence to the world on Wednesday night. Not only did the hockey world take notice, the entire sports world became aware of the history that was made in just 40 minutes of hockey.
NHL Scores 2016: Auston Matthews’ historic night kicks the new season into gear
Day 1 of the 2016-17 season had just about everything.
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s run down what we saw from Matthews last night:
- A goal within the first nine minutes within his first three shifts on the ice.
- A second goal that saw Matthews stick check two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson and run circles around the remainder of the Ottawa defense.
- A third goal, the first hat trick of his career, just moments into the second period.
- And a fourth goal with three seconds remaining in the second period off a brilliant cross-ice feed from William Nylander.
Four goals. Four goals on six shots from Matthews. An NHL record, in fact, for the most goals scored by a rookie player in their debut. Ever. Only three players have scored hat tricks in their first game. No one has had four. Until last night.
So much happened with Matthews on Wednesday that we wrote an entire post recapping his amazing debut. Read it. Memorize it. Cherish it.
Matthews is the real deal, folks. Sure it’ll be be hard — nay impossible — to keep pace with the high expectations he has set. Matthews will make mistakes, as he did on the Senators overtime winner by failing to cover his man. He’ll make more in the weeks and months to come.
Yet, much like Connor McDavid, there’s this sense of something more about him. Something special. Whether it was the magic that always comes from the start of a new season helping Matthews along, it’s safe to say Matthews has arrived.
Welcome to the NHL, kid. We’re glad to have you.
Scores
Senators 5, Leafs 4 (OT)
Blues 5, Blackhawks 2
Oilers 7, Flames 4
Sharks 2, Kings 1
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Three things we learned
1. The Blackhawks are still stuck in preseason mode
A 19-shot, two-goal effort against the Blues was only made worse by this halfhearted reception by Patrick Kane that resulted in an own goal for Chicago.
(Video of the Blackhawks’ own goal is at the 3:10-minute mark.)
You thought that was the worst of Kane’s night? Just hours before he took on an umbrella ... and lost.
2. Hockey is back, and Jonathan Quick is already fighting someone!
You thought you could turn off your TV after the Matthews show. Sadly, you thought wrong, because all hell broke loose in the first period of the Sharks-Kings game.
After a goal that popped in and out of the net, Joe Pavelski ruffled the feathers of Quick with a few extra jabs at the puck. As Pavelski attempted to high tail it out of there, Quick decided to take matters into his own hands.
Oh, and then Quick was injured and left the game after one period. Feels like midseason.
3. Connor McDavid had something to say, as well
Not to be outdone, McDavid had two goals of his own on opening night and his first night as captain of the Oilers. The first was a great backhand pickup off a redirection from the end board past Brian Elliott.
The second, however, came on a penalty shot and involved at least a dozen moves that should most definitely be illegal.
Even Gretzky is in awe of McDavid!
Impact Moment
Chris Neil flattened Matt Hunwick, who didn’t return to the game due to precautionary reasons. The hit was deemed legal, but Hunwick suffered an upper body injury on the play.
Stat of the Night
More like the Toronto Auston Matthews.
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