He also became just the fifth defenseman in the expansion era (since 1967-68) to record three points in his first NHL contest.
In case all of that wasn't enough for the 22-year-old, Butcher accomplished the feat against the club that originally drafted him in the fifth round back in 2013 out of the U.S. National Development Team - before he elected to become a free agent and sign with the Devils this offseason.
"We're still fairly early in the process (and) I don't know if I've skated even 10 times yet," Karlsson told reporters Saturday afternoon, via TSN. "Once we get moving forward here, I think it's going to move along fairly fast, but ... there are still some small issues that (are) probably going to bother me (when) playing a game and playing against opponents (when I'm) going to be checked all the time."
The all-world defenseman had offseason surgery to repair tendons in his foot following the Senators' run to the Eastern Conference Final. He's made it clear he won't return until he's 100 percent healthy, a goal he doesn't appear close to reaching yet.
"I still haven't taken contact," Karlsson said Saturday. "I haven't (yet) done the things I need to do to put myself in (a) game situation."
However, he clarified that it might not be necessary for him to absorb contact in practice before appearing in a game.
"I think it's going to go straight from no contact to pretty much playing a game," Karlsson said. "When that is? We're not really sure yet, (but) we're not too far away."
After Saturday's contest, the Senators embark on a three-game Western Canadian road trip, but the dynamic blue-liner didn't seem certain he'd be able to join them.
"We're not sure yet," he said, according to TSN's Brent Wallace. "We haven't really thought that far (ahead), and ... that's something we'll (evaluate) probably (Sunday) when we leave. So, as of right now, it's still going to be day to day, and it's always fun to go out west, so we will see."
Karlsson added he hasn't ruled out joining the club mid-trip if he doesn't fly out with them initially.
While Bryan Murray will be best remembered for his time with the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators, he also left an indelible impression on the Detroit Red Wings organization.
So much so that the Wings have decided to honor Murray by wearing a decal on their helmets Saturday against the aforementioned Senators. The sticker is the same one the Sens will be wearing all year to honor their former coach and general manager.
Murray - who died in August - spent three seasons behind the Wings' bench between 1990-1993, amassing a 124-91-29 record.
In a Feb. 21 proposal leaked to The Globe and Mail, the Flames' ownership group of Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp. requested that the city of Calgary grant it several revenue streams as part of an agreement to fund a new arena.
The proposal outlined a number of terms, including an option for the group to purchase and develop the surrounding land of the proposed facility.
The Flames would also receive a percentage of the revenues generated by the Calgary Stampede's Cowboys Casino and all of the arena parking fees, while the team also requested the city waive transit fees for those traveling to an arena event via public transportation.
Furthermore, the proposal asked for the team to be reimbursed for provincial taxes paid on the arena, and for the city to cover the cost of arena flood insurance.
"Our proposals in the enclosed term sheet outline the minimum requirements for a robust competitive sports environment and the infrastructure needed to compete on the world stage from an entertainment perspective," Flames president and CEO Ken King wrote to the city, per The Globe and Mail.
In a statement, King declared the leaked proposal "inappropriate," telling The Globe and Mail, "Somebody was playing fast and loose with their ethics and I think that's a damn shame."
With a deal appearing uncertain, King indicated last month that the Flames are no longer pursuing a new arena in Calgary. Both the team and city have since released their competing proposals for public consumption.
Whether the two sides will return to the negotiation table is unknown. However, talks could be revisited following the city's upcoming municipal vote, when incumbent mayor Naheed Nenshi, who opposed the Flames' proposal, is up for re-election.
In a Feb. 21 proposal leaked to The Globe and Mail, the Flames' ownership group of Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp. requested that the city of Calgary grant it several revenue streams as part of an agreement to fund a new arena.
The proposal outlined a number of terms, including an option for the group to purchase and develop the surrounding land of the proposed facility.
The Flames would also receive a percentage of the revenues generated by the Calgary Stampede's Cowboys Casino and all of the arena parking fees, while the team also requested the city waive transit fees for those traveling to an arena event via public transportation.
Furthermore, the proposal asked for the team to be reimbursed for provincial taxes paid on the arena, and for the city to cover the cost of arena flood insurance.
"Our proposals in the enclosed term sheet outline the minimum requirements for a robust competitive sports environment and the infrastructure needed to compete on the world stage from an entertainment perspective," Flames president and CEO Ken King wrote to the city, per The Globe and Mail.
In a statement, King declared the leaked proposal "inappropriate," telling The Globe and Mail, "Somebody was playing fast and loose with their ethics and I think that's a damn shame."
With a deal appearing uncertain, King indicated last month that the Flames are no longer pursuing a new arena in Calgary. Both the team and city have since released their competing proposals for public consumption.
Whether the two sides will return to the negotiation table is unknown. However, talks could be revisited following the city's upcoming municipal vote, when incumbent mayor Naheed Nenshi, who opposed the Flames' proposal, is up for re-election.
Such was the case for Australia-raised winger Nathan Walker, as the 23-year-old forward will take the ice Saturday for the Washington Capitals. Once he does, Walker will officially become the first Australian citizen to ever play in an NHL contest.
PGA golfers Jason Day and Adam Scott, as well as NBA players Andrew Bogut, Thon Maker, and Matthew Dellavedova all praised Walker ahead of his inaugural NHL game.
Last season with the AHL's Hershey Bears, the former third-round draft pick posted 23 points in 58 games.
Boston Bruins forward Noel Acciari will be sidelined for approximately six weeks following surgery on his left index finger, the team announced Saturday.
Acciari suffered the injury in Thursday's season-opening game against the Nashville Predators, leaving early in the second period.
He was projected to fill a role on the team's fourth line this season. The 25-year-old split last season between the Bruins and the club's minor-league affiliate in Providence.
Acciari has tallied two goals and four assists in 49 NHL games.
On Friday, it was reported the pivot would begin skating with Lugano of the Swiss-based National League, which was later confirmed by Red Wings general manager Ken Holland.
"He called me today just to say that he is going to Europe," Holland told Greg Kruppa of The Detroit News. "Double-A’s going to Europe."
The highly publicized stalemate between the two sides has always had a European connection, with Athanasiou reportedly considering a lucrative one-year deal with a KHL-based club.
Since negotiations have dragged into the regular season, and with Detroit having minimal salary cap space for the 2017-18 campaign, it seems increasingly likely that Athanasiou will be spending more time in European rinks than on NHL ice surfaces.
Athanasiou has no commitment with any club overseas, but is weighing all his options.
The clubs remain largely intact, with the exception of a few offseason tweaks, and it will be interesting to see if there is any lingering hostility between Sidney Crosby and P.K. Subban.
Nick Bonino will also be especially motivated for the tilt, considering he joined the Predators as a free agent in the offseason after winning back-to-back titles with the Penguins.
Hitchcock battles Blues
A matchup between the always competitive St. Louis Blues and a revamped Dallas Stars squad might be compelling enough on its own, but it's even more interesting given Ken Hitchcock will face the club that fired him back in February.
Hitchcock and the Stars met the Blues twice in the preseason, with the Stars winning both contests by a combined 9-3 margin, but it's going to be for real this time.
It's obviously not Hitchcock's first go-round with Dallas, but he'd surely like to make a statement against St. Louis early in his second Stars tenure, and in the regular season.
Panarin vs. Saad
The Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets pulled off one of the most unexpected moves of the summer, and the two principal figures of the trade will have their first opportunity to determine who won it Saturday.
Artemi Panarin scored 61 goals combined in his two seasons with the Blackhawks, and he'll look to prove they made a mistake by dealing him away for Brandon Saad.
Saad notched a hat trick in Chicago's 10-1 destruction of the Penguins on Thursday night, and he looks more than comfortable back in his familiar spot alongside Jonathan Toews.
The Blue Jackets and Blackhawks split their two preseason meetings, but now they'll square off with points in the standings at stake.
Welcome back, Karl
Over in D.C., another reunion will take place when Karl Alzner plays his first game in the U.S. capital as a member of the opposition.
He spent parts of nine seasons with the Capitals, so he'll likely get a warm reception from the fans before attempting to prove Washington erred by letting him walk over the summer.
This could be awkward
Will Butcher won't have to wait long to get his first crack at the club he wasn't interested in playing for.
Back in August, Butcher chose not to sign with the Colorado Avalanche, the team that drafted him back in 2013, instead becoming a free agent and joining the New Jersey Devils.
Those two clubs get the 15-game slate started with the lone matinee Saturday, and the early game will also be worth watching to see how Nico Hischier fares in his NHL debut.
Rivalry renewed
The Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks are both arguably fading from deep postseason contention, but they always bring it when they play each other.
Saturday's nightcap pits the Pacific Division foes against each other in what could be another spirited contest.
If their playoff meetings and countless regular-season battles of the past were any indication, it should be.
