Jack Hughes Scores Twice as Devils Win Opener

Good morning. Jason Robertson collected the most votes (28%) in yesterday’s poll but that didn’t help him on the scoresheet last night. Robertson scored in the shootout but was held pointless along with Tage Thompson. Kirill Kaprizov had an assist but Artemi Panarin and Jack Hughes both put up two points for the win.

The NHL schedule is light tonight with only two games on the docket — Logan Cooley’s NHL debut and Crosby vs. Ovechkin for the 66th time in regular season — but Saturday is jam-packed with 14 games. 🎉

Have a great weekend, fam! 🍻

- Brandon Rubeo & Kevin Allen

Today’s Lineup:

• Jack Hughes scores twice to lead Devils

• Filip Gustavsson makes 41 saves in shutout win

• Chris Kreider collects 3 points in Rangers win

• And a lot more… 👇

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VERB ENERGY

Caffeinated Energy Bars

Skip the overpriced lattes. Organic Green Tea in a plant-based bar that’s perfectly pocket-sized and ready to unwrap anytime, anywhere. Over 3,000 5-star reviews.

Jack Hughes Scores Twice as Devils Win Opener

Jack Hughes played his first game of this young NHL season Thursday and New Jersey Devils fans have already started chanting “MVP. MVP. MVP…”

The serenading began after Hughes scored his second goal of the game to launch the Devils toward a 4-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings in the opener for both teams.

The Devils hype may be a bit over the top for October, but it represents genuine affection for a young team that indeed may have a chance to win the Stanley Cup.

NJ.com recently published a story highlighting Wayne Gretzky saying this about the Devils:

That’s right. This is the NHL’s all-time leading points producer comparing the Devils to his iconic Oilers who won five Stanley Cups from 1984 to 1990.

What Gretzky, and everyone else, sees is a fast, dynamic young Devils team overflowing with energy and spunk.

Hughes, 22, is the face of this entertaining bunch. He scored 43 goals and rang up 99 points last season to lead the Devils to a franchise-record 112 points. That’s why the Devils, according to FanDuel, have the fourth-best odds (+1100) to win the Stanley Cup.

The Devils didn’t play their best hockey against Detroit. The Red Wings were the better team in the first period, claiming a 1-0 lead. The Devils took a 2-1 lead on Hughes’ goals, but allowed the Red Wings to tie 2-2. A Devils empty-net goal by Erik Haula ended up being the game-winner because the Red Wings scored in the final minute of play.

🧱 Filip Gustavsson made 41 saves to shutout the Florida Panthers 2-0 in Wild season opener. Despite the Panthers outshooting the Wild 41-20, Matthew Tkachuk and co. could not figure out how to beat the 25-year-old Swedish netminder. Minnesota-native and Wild rookie Brock Faber scored the Wild’s first goal and game winner midway through the 1st before Joel Eriksson Ek scored his first of the season midway through the 2nd. Read more →

✌️ Chris Kreider scored twice and added an assist in 5-1 win over the Sabres. The 32-year-old forward scored his first of the season with a power play deflection midway through the 1st before adding a short-handed tally and a primary assist on Jacob Trouba’s empty netter in the 3rd. Igor Shesterkin made 24 saves, Alexis Lafreniere and Artemi Panarin scored their first goals of the season, and Mika Zibanejad collected three assists. Read more →

With his 8th career shorthanded goal last night, Chris Kreider is now tied for the 10th most short-handed goals in New York Rangers history. Who is the Rangers all-time short-handed goal leader with 23? 🤯

Calling all sports fans!

If you’re into sports, but don’t have time to catch up on all the headlines, let the Gist do it for you. The Gist is a women-led (& women-written) newsletter that comes out 4x a week.

It’s sort of like if the Hockey Recap covered all sports!

• Hague, Golden Knights spoil Sharks season opener

• Farabee, Konecny score early as the Flyers spoil debut of Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent & rookie Adam Fantilli, 4-2

• Juuse Saros delivers 23-save shutout as Predators beat Kraken 3-0

• Duchene scores in shootout as Stars edge Blues

• NHL's Pride tape ban is 'serious setback,' Brian Burke says

• Remembering Chris Snow: A man of resilience, courage and fight

• Werenski leaves Blue Jackets season opener with knee injury

• Will the Canucks use Conor Garland as trade bait for a defenseman?

• Crosby, Ovechkin to renew rivalry that's 'always been at the top of the League'

• Mexico City on short list for future NHL international game

• Big man cycle 2-on-1 drill

• Tip on how to catch passes on your backhand from former NHLer Tyler Kennedy

Mark Messier is the New York Rangers all-time leader in short-handed goals with 23.