NHL Recap 10-1-09

Notes from the NHL's opening night, Oct. 1:

Stars of the night
--Brooks Laich and Alexander Ovechkin each scored two goals and had an assist in Washington's 4-1 win at Boston. Laich netted the NHL's first goal of the 2009-10 season on the power play with 2:45 left in the first period.
--Carey Price made 43 saves and Josh Gorges scored the overtime winner in Montreal's 4-3, come-from-behind victory at Toronto.
--Craig Anderson posted 38 saves, including 19 in the third period, in his Colorado debut and Wojtek Wolski scored twice to lead the Avalanche to a 5-2 rout of San Jose.
--Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 39 shots and Mark Giordano and Rene Bourque each scored a goal and assist as Calgary defeated Vancouver, 5-3.

Striking first
Every team that scored the first goal of the game Thursday night proved victorious.

Welcome aboard
In his first game after signing a five-year, $25 million contract with Montreal, Brian Gionta scored his team's first goal of the season. The primary assist went to another new Canadien, Michael Cammalleri. Yet another newcomer, Travis Moen, also scored for Montreal.

Who you lookin' at, tough guy?
In his first game as a Maple Leaf, Mike Komisarek racked up 15 penalty minutes, five coming on a fight with Travis Moen midway through the third period. Brought in to provide a tough and physical aspect, Komisarek was whistled for cross checking, roughing and elbowing, the last of which allowed Montreal to score a power play goal late in regulation to force overtime.

Turn up the Heat
Dany Heatley's debut as a Shark did not go so well. Heatley was a minus-3 with three shots, but also fanned on a shot on the power play with an open net late in the third when San Jose was attempting a comeback.

Quote of the night
"I had chills going up and down my spine the whole ceremony. It was an unbelievable night."
Colorado rookie and third-overall pick Matt Duchene, on his NHL debut and the retirement of Joe Sakic's jersey.