Tuukka Rask has never had a better night, that is at least offensively.

In addition to making 34 saves against 35 shots in a win over the Winnipeg Jets, the Boston Bruins netminder became the first in franchise history to pick up two assists in a regular-season game.

"Pretty sweet," Rask said when asked about the stat quirk, according to Finnish reporter Sami Hoffren.

His helpers came on goals from David Pastrnak, who upped his total to four, and Zdeno Chara, who flipped his first into an empty net.

Rask is making advances in other, much more conventional categories in the club's record book. With a strong season, he could surpass Tim Thomas for fourth all time in wins, and perhaps move into second in shutouts behind Tiny Thompson.

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A former NHL captain has chimed in on the Edmonton Oilers decision to cancel a mandated day off.

A recently retired Willie Mitchell, who donned the "C" for the Florida Panthers for two seasons, took exception to it, empathizing both with young Connor McDavid and with players who had to put off family time in lieu of practice.

The decision to forego a day of rest was made following a 6-2 loss on home ice to the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, and only, McDavid said, with the agreement of all the players.

"Obviously it had to be agreed upon by us (players), and we were all for it," the 19-year-old captain said Monday, according to Mark Spector of Sportsnet.

"It was a good thing. Everyone feels a lot better leaving the rink today, as opposed to coming in (Tuesday) still thinking about that (Buffalo) game."

The collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and its players mandates a certain number of off days per month, with exception. According to Section 16.5 (a), "The parties recognize that events may unfold such that the monthly schedule may need to be altered or modified to adjust for unforeseen and compelling circumstances.”

In Mitchell's eyes, an embarrassing loss in the third game of the season doesn't fit in those parameters.

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For the first time in his career, Mike Green forced the headwear onto the ice.

The Detroit Red Wings defenseman, who topped out at seven goals last season in his first in Motown, recorded his first career hat trick Monday night in a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators.

If you overlook his decrease in production over the last several seasons, the feat - which he said is his first hat trick at any level - is a little hard to believe. Green scored 113 goals in his 10-year tenure with the Washington Capitals, including 50 throughout his Norris Trophy-nominated seasons between 2008 and 2010.

He's the first defenseman since Nicklas Lidstrom scored three against the St. Louis Blues in December 2010 to record a hat trick in a Red Wings sweater. He's also the sixth blue-liner in club history to net three in a game.

Detroit's victory, its first of the season, came on the final opening night at Joe Louis Arena.

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Gabriel Landeskog displayed some crazy hand-eye coordination on this overtime goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.

The Colorado Avalanche captain tracked the puck after it deflected off Kris Letang's stick, deftly directing it over Marc-Andre Fleury and into the net.

The goal was Landeskog's second of the game, while the Avalanche improved to 2-0-0 under new head coach Jared Bednar.

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The New York Rangers' prized offseason acquisition has officially arrived.

Jimmy Vesey scored his first NHL goal Monday night in his third appearance as a Blueshirt, tapping a centering pass into the empty net after linemates Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello dissected the San Jose Sharks' own-zone defense.

One of seven different Rangers scorers, the reigning Hobey Baker winner's first proved to be the game-winner as San Jose scored twice late to make it interesting.

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Chris Kreider seems capable of just about anything right now - aside from successfully engaging an official in an on-ice celebration.

Scoring in a third straight game to begin the season, burying a rising shot over the shoulder of Martin Jones Monday night, Kreider looked to the official for an embrace as he turned the corner, only to be reprimanded for his attempt.

Of course that won't knock the shine off a third straight multi-point effort out of the gate, or a little slice of New York Rangers history.

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The captain continues to steer the ship in the right direction.

Fresh out of the penalty box, Blake Wheeler kept up his goal-per-game pace to start the season by completely freezing Tuukka Rask on this breakaway opportunity.

It was the third goal of the season for the Winnipeg Jets locker room leader, made all the sweeter by coming against the team that traded him back in 2011.

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The Detroit Red Wings took a moment to honor the late, great Gordie Howe on Monday during the final regular-season opener to be played at Joe Louis Arena.

The hockey legend, who died June 10, did not suit up for the Red Wings at their current rink, instead playing his Detroit hockey in the team's previous home, the Detroit Olympia.

Howe's No. 9 hangs from the Joe Louis rafters, however, and he made his final trip there on his 88th birthday, weeks before his passing.

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