The six-time Vezina Trophy winner made 21 saves in his comeback from a one-year retirement.
Los Angeles' Roman Cechmanek made 35 saves.
Jiri Fischer gave Detroit the lead midway through the first period and Eric Belanger tied it.
Capitals 6, Islanders 1
In Washington, Peter Bondra scored twice, and Jaromir Jagr had a goal and an assist as Washington opened its 30th season with a victory over New York.
Jagr was dominant when he was on the ice, showing promise that he might be worth his US$11 million a year contract as he begins his third season in Washington. The Capitals were 10-1 last season when both Jagr and Bondra scored.
Washington also got goals from John Gruden, Mike Grier and Jeff Halpern.
The game made for a miserable debut for New York rookie coach Steve Sterling, whose team lost any momentum it had from a 7-0 preseason. Goaltender Garth Snow was pulled midway through the second period.
Mariusz Czerkawski scored for the Islanders, who have won just one of their last 28 games (1-24-3) against the Capitals and have never won at the MCI Center (0-11-2).
Senators 5, Canadiens 2
In Ottawa, Jason Spezza and Petr Schastlivy scored power-play goals in the first period to lift Ottawa over Montreal Canadiens in each team's season opener.
Chris Neil, Chris Phillips and Daniel Alfredsson also scored for Ottawa, which had the NHL's second-ranked power play last season before falling one win short of the Stanley Cup finals.
Spezza, Alfredsson and Phillips each had two points for the Senators, and Patrick Lalime made 27 saves.
Canucks 4, Flames 1
In Vancouver, British Columbia, Artem Chubarov scored a goal and set up Jarkko Ruutu's insurance tally to give Vancouver a season-opening win over Calgary.
Rookie Jason King scored his first NHL goal, and Todd Bertuzzi added one for Vancouver. Dan Cloutier made 22 saves for the Canucks.
Chris Clark scored a power-play goal, and Roman Turek made 22 saves for Calgary.
Vancouver converted their first two power-play chances for a 2-0 first period lead.
Oilers 5, Sharks 2
In Edmonton, Alberta, Raffi Torres scored the tiebreaking goal and added an assist in his Oilers debut and Ryan Smyth added two goals as Edmonton beat San Jose.
The season opener began with a pre-game ceremony for Hall of Fame goalie Grant Fuhr, who had his No. 31 retired to the rafters along Oilers greats Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri and Al Hamilton.
Shawn Horcoff and Jason Chimera also scored for the Oilers.
Jonathon Cheechoo had San Jose goals.
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