NHL Morning Skate – Oct. 16, 2021

NHL Public Relations October 16, 2021

* Late rallies were the theme Friday as all three games featured a thrilling finish, but Marcus Foligno and the Wild were the only ones to successfully complete a comeback.

* It only took Dougie Hamilton 17 seconds to make his presence felt in a Devils uniform as he found the score sheet faster than any other defenseman in NHL history in a couple of categories.

* Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada is ready for its 2021-22 debut, with an all-Canadian doubleheader set to take center stage.

DEVILS, CANUCKS WITHSTAND FRANTIC FINISHES ON FRIDAY NIGHT. . .

The Blackhawks (final 4:00) and Flyers (final 3:00) each had multi-goal rallies in the late stages of the third period to extend their games past regulation, but the Canucks and Devils stood their ground for victories in thrilling finishes at arenas roughly 90 miles from one another.

* Seven of 19 games played this season have seen a team erase a deficit of two or more goals to at least tie the game, with two earning victories: the Panthers (vs. PIT) and Lightning (at DET) each did so Thursday.

* Had Philadelphia earned the victory – after trailing by two goals with 2:17 left in the third period – it would have been the latest multi-goal comeback win in a season opener in NHL history. In fact, only two teams have overcome a multi-goal deficit in the final seven minutes of regulation to win their season opener – including Florida’s victory Thursday (also WPG on Oct. 13, 2016).

* Brothers Jack Hughes (2-0—2; NJD)and Quinn Hughes (0-1—1; VAN) each found the score sheet in their respective team’s victories, with Jack scoring his second career overtime goal and Quinn moving within one point of 100 in his career (12-87—99 in 131 GP).

. . . WHILE FOLIGNO POTS LATE WINNER TO LIFT WILD PAST DUCKS

After Kevin Fiala tied the game for the Wild in the second period, teammate Marcus Foligno provided the late-game heroics by beating Anthony Stolarz (41 saves)in the dying seconds of regulation. Foligno’s goal at 19:52 of the third period marked the latest go-ahead goal in Wild history, besting the previous mark of 19:44 set by Jim Dowd on Jan. 21, 2004

HAMLITON MAKES IMMEDIATE IMPACT WITH DEVILS

Dougie Hamilton (1-0—1), who signed a seven-year contract with the Devils in July, started the opening-night festivities in New Jersey with a goal 17 seconds into his team debut. It was the fastest goal by any defenseman to start a season-opening game in NHL history and the fastest by a blueliner in his debut with any franchise.

FOURTEEN COUNTRIES COMPETE IN TOURNAMENT IN SOUTH FLORIDA

* LATAM Cup attendees inspired by ‘Willie’ documentary
* Stanley Cup takes spotlight at Amerigol LATAM Cup
* VIDEO: 2021 Amerigol LATAM Cup Overview

YANDLE COLLECTS 500TH CAREER ASSIST IN FRIDAY’S #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES

Friday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates includes other notes from the three-game slate, featuring Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle becoming the 30th defenseman in NHL history to collect 500 career assists. Yandle also extended his consecutive games played streak to 923, moving within 41 of the NHL record. Click here to read more.

QUICK CLICKS

* Jimmy Hayes honored by Devils, Blackhawks, Flyers with numerous tributes
* Dylan Larkin suspended one game for actions in Red Wings game
* Charlie McAvoy signs eight-year, $76 million contract with Bruins
* Kraken get first win, Predators raise virtual banner in their honor

Chris Tierney, who scored in Ottawa’s season opener on Wednesday, has recorded a point in each of his last seven games against the Maple Leafs dating to Feb. 15, 2021 (1-6—7) – the longest active stretch by a Senators player versus a single opponent. Only two players in the NHL have a longer active run against Toronto: Brent Burns (11 GP) and Nikita Kucherov (8 GP).

* Leon Draisaitl, who collected an assist in Edmonton’s season opener, enters Saturday night just one goal shy of 200 in his career (199-308—507 in 479 GP). He can become the second player from the 2014 NHL Draft to reach the mark, after David Pastrnak (200-227—427 in 438 GP).