National Hockey League Game Capsules
Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Dave Bolland scored twice, including the winner early in the third period, and Jonathan Bernier stopped 31 shots as the Toronto Maple Leafs took down the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-1, on Wednesday. Bolland, whose last tally was the Stanley Cup-winner for Chicago late in regulation of the deciding Game 6 in Boston, was shipped north of the border in a draft-day deal for two picks in 2013 and one in 2014. Bernier made his first start for the Leafs, after being acquired from Los Angeles in late June for two players and a draft pick. Phil Kessel added a score and Joffrey Lupul picked up a pair of assists for the Maple Leafs, who won both of their back-to-back road games to begin their 2013-14 schedule. Steve Mason made 22 saves in defeat for the Flyers, who received a first-period power- play strike from Brayden Schenn but came up empty on six other opportunities.
Final Score: Detroit 2, Buffalo 1
Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) – Mikael Samuelsson and Pavel Datsyuk tallied 36 seconds apart in the first period and Jimmy Howard turned away 19-of-20 shots, as the Detroit Red Wings took down the Buffalo Sabres, 2-1, in the season opener for both teams. The Red Wings have beaten Buffalo in 12 of the last 13 matchups at Joe Louis Arena since 1996. Howard is coming off the best season of his career, in which he posted a 2.13 goals-against average and his five shutouts tied for the league lead. Detroit, which had been a member of the Western Conference since 1993-94, got off to an ideal start as a part of the East following the league’s realignment this offseason. Zemgus Girgensons scored his first career goal for Buffalo, which came up short on all seven of its power-play opportunities. Girgensons, drafted 14th overall in the 2012 draft, lit the lamp in the third period. Ryan Miller was steady following the two early goals, stopping 32-of-34 shots in the narrow defeat.
Final Score: Colorado 6, Anaheim 1
Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) – Jamie McGinn tallied a pair of goals and Semyon Verlamov stopped 35 shots as the Colorado Avalanche downed the Anaheim Ducks, 6-1, in Patrick Roy’s coaching debut. Steve Downie and Ryan O’Reilly both had one goal and one assist and Matt Duchene scored one for the Avalanche, who were a dismal 16-25-7 last season. Nathan MacKinnon, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, finished with a pair of assists in his NHL debut. Following its third straight season missing the playoffs, Colorado hired the Hall of Fame goaltender Roy as its head coach. Roy is reunited with former teammate and current Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic. The duo won a pair of Stanley Cups with the Avs. Viktor Fasth made 23 saves, but allowed all six goals in the setback.
Categorized in: NHL