Jimmy Howard earned a shutout and Pavel Datsyuk claimed a so-called “Gordie Howe” hat-trick as the Detroit Red Wings opened the new season in ruthless style, blasting the Anaheim Ducks 4-0 on Friday.
Howard, a Calder Trophy finalist last year as the NHL’s top rookie, showed no signs of a sophomore jinx, stopping 21 shots to notch his fourth career shutout, but it was Datsyuk’s Gordie Howe hat-trick — a goal, an assist and a fight — that had Joe Louis Arena buzzing.
Howe, a Hall of Famer regarded as one of the toughest players to ever lace up a pair of skates, was feared both as a scorer and fighter.
Datsyuk, a four-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy that goes to the NHL’s most gentlemanly player, may well be the most unlikely player to ever record a Gordie Howe hat-trick.
After picking up a goal and an assist in the second period, Datsyuk showed a seldom seen feisty side in the third, taking on Ducks tough guy Corey Perry and drawing a standing ovation from the capacity crowd and his teammates.
“I’m happy to have a Gordie Howe hat-trick, but it’s not my best dream,” Datsyuk said. “I did not win the Lady Byng last year. Now I can open my game ... but not too much, don’t worry.”
One of the Red Wings’ top scorers, Datsyuk is better known for his soft hands than his fists and Wings coach Mike Babcock said he does not care to see the Russian drop his gloves.
Datsyuk has never had more than 35 penalty minutes in any of his eight NHL seasons, while racking up 594 points, including 199 goals.
“Too bad for him, now he can’t win the Lady Byng,” Babcock said. “Obviously, he’s a real good player and he’s real strong, but I don’t need to see Pav fight anymore.”
Johan Franzen, Mike Modano and Dan Cleary also scored for the Wings.
Modano, a Michigan native who spent 20 seasons with the Minnesota and Dallas Stars, becoming the highest-scoring US-born NHL player of all time, collected career goal 558, but his first as a Red Wing, fluttering a wrist-shot past a screened Jonas Hiller.
It was a perfect homecoming for the 40-year-old, seven-time All-Star, who grew up in nearby Livonia supporting the Red Wings.
“I didn’t sleep much last night and this afternoon was a little restless as well,” said Modano, who scored on his first shot. “I wanted to get here, get prepared and get ready, and get that first period out of the way. It was a great start, and then I was able to relax and enjoy the moment a little bit more.”
THRASHERS 4, CAPITALS 2
In Atlanta, Georgia, after watching goalie Ondrej Pavelec collapse to the ice in the opening minutes, the Atlanta Thrashers bounced back to beat the Washington Capitals.
The excitement of opening night at Philips Arena turned somber just two and a half minutes into the game when Pavelec suddenly fell over backward during a stoppage at the other end of the ice.
He was treated for about 10 minutes on the ice, before being wheeled off on a stretcher. He was taken to a local hospital, where preliminary tests were negative and Pavelec regained consciousness.
After a overall delay of about 20 minutes, Chris Mason took over in the net for the Thrashers and surrendered a goal to Brooks Laich less than a minute later.
The Thrashers scored three straight goals, with Evander Kane finishing with two, to give coach Craig Ramsay victory in his first game.
STARS 4, DEVILS 3, OT
In Newark, New Jersey, Loui Eriksson scored two goals, including the winner 1 minute, 36 seconds into overtime, for Dallas over New Jersey in the season opener for both teams.
Eriksson skated the length of the ice in overtime, beating Martin Brodeur from the right circle.
Brenden Morrow and Brad Richards scored for Dallas.
Travis Zajac, Zach Parise and Jason Arnott notched New Jersey’s goals.
Brodeur extended his own record of consecutive season---opening starts by a goalie with one team to 16.
SABRES 2, SENATORS 1
In Ottawa, Derek Roy scored his second goal of the game on a power-play midway through the third period to send Buffalo past Ottawa in the season opener for both teams.
Ryan Miller stopped 25 shots for Buffalo, who took their second and final lead when Roy’s shot from behind the goal-line went in off goalie Pascal Leclaire’s glove.
Sabres rookie Tyler Ennis assisted on both goals.
Chris Kelly scored the Senators’ goal late in the second period.
HURRICANES 2, WILD 1, SO
In Helsinki, Finland, rookie Jeff Skinner scored the only goal of the shootout as Carolina beat Minnesota for a sweep of their two season-opening games.
Skinner, an 18-year-old forward, set up Carolina’s first goal from Tuomo Ruutu, tying the game two minutes into the second period.
The Wild had opened the scoring 17 minutes into the first period through Andrew Brunette.
Cam Ward made 41 saves for Carolina, stopping Mikko Koivu, Brent Burns and Antti Miettinen in the shootout to preserve the victory.
SHARKS 3, BLUE JACKETS 2
In Stockholm, Sweden, Logan Couture scored on a power-play midway through the third period to lift San Jose over Columbus in the season opener for both teams.
San Jose’s Torrey Mitchell opened the scoring 2 minutes, 11 seconds into the first period and Joe Thornton made it 2-0 on a power-play midway through the opening period.
Columbus’ Kristian Huselius, in front of his Swedish fans, and R.J. Umberger tied it with goals in a 15-second span late in the first period.
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