Vegas scores timely win on debut
DALLAS (AP) - James Neal scored twice in the third period Friday night, rallying the Golden Knights to a 2-1 NHL victory over the Dallas Stars in the debut of the first major pro sports franchise in Las Vegas.
The expansion team was playing five days after the shooting that killed 58 people in Las Vegas, and the Dallas players honored the desert city by forming a line next to their Vegas counterparts before the national anthem.
With the video board reading "Viva Las Vegas" above the players, the public address announcer said "Dallas stands with Vegas and those affected by the horrifying tragedy."
The Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights line up for a moment of silence for shooting victims in Las Vegas before an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 45 of 46 shots to help the Golden Knights become the first expansion to open with a victory since the Ottawa Senators in 1992. They also spoiled coach Ken Hitchcock's return to Dallas 18 years after he directed the franchise's only Stanley Cup title.
Both of Neal's goals came against Kari Lehtonen after Ben Bishop left with an apparent facial injury after taking a puck to the mask. Bishop had stopped all 19 shots in his Dallas debut after coming over in a trade with Los Angeles and signing a long-term contract with the Stars.
BLUE JACKETS 5, ISLANDERS 0
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Pierre-Luc Dubois scored in his NHL debut and Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves in the Columbus Blue Jackets' victory over the New York Islanders in season opener for both teams.
Rookie Sonny Milano scored 1:07 into the game, and the 19-year-old Dubois made it 5-0 midway through the second period. Cam Atkinson, Ryan Murray and Zach Werenski also scored, newcomer Artemi Panarin had three assists, and Alexander Wennberg added two assists.
Islanders starter Thomas Greiss made 21 saves before being pulled after giving up Dubois' goal. Jaroslav Halak stopped all 11 shots he faced in relief.
With all of the offensive opportunities created by the Blue Jackets, it could have been worse.
Columbus scored on its first shot of the season when Oliver Bjorkstrand shoveled the puck out from the back wall to Milano for a 10-footer that he snapped past Greiss.
LIGHTNING 5, PANTHERS 3
TAMPA, Florida (AP) - Steven Stamkos set up the go-ahead goal in his return from a right knee injury as Tampa Bay beat Florida in their opener.
Stamkos missed the final 65 games last season with a torn meniscus in the knee, an injury that required surgery. He sent a pass from the left circle through the slot to Vladislav Namestnikov, who put Tampa Bay up 3-2 from near the post 59 seconds into the final period during a power play.
Ondrej Palat had two goals, and Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov also scored for the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 33 saves.
Florida got goals from Connor Brickley Mark Pysyk and Jonathan Huberdeau, and Roberto Luongo stopped 20 shots. New Panthers Bob Boughner took the loss in his NHL coaching debut.
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The Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights line up for a moment of silence for shooting victims in Las Vegas before an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Vegas Golden Knights left wing James Neal (18) celebrates his goal with teammates Nate Schmidt (88) and Oscar Lindberg (24) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. The Golden Knights won 2-1. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Vegas Golden Knights left wing James Neal (18) scores a goal against Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. The Golden Knights won 2-1. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
New York Islanders' Mathew Barzal, left, looks for an open shot as Columbus Blue Jackets' Seth Jones defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets beat the Islanders 5-0. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
New York Islanders' Nick Leddy, right, knocks the puck away from Columbus Blue Jackets' Seth Jones during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Tampa Bay Lightning center Vladislav Namestnikov (90), of Russia, scores past Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) and center Derek MacKenzie (17) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16), of Finland, knocks the puck away from Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Ryan Callahan (24) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)