Toronto and Montreal set off the first fireworks

Superstar Connor McDavid received a big slap at the start of the NHL season with the Edmonton Oilers. Meanwhile, Toronto and Montreal offered pure ice hockey spectacle on the big Canadian derby night.

12 October 2023

From: fop

In the Vancouver Canucks the traditional club lost Edmonton on Wednesday evening (CEST) with 1:8.

Vancouver's four-goal scorer Brock Boeser became the celebrated Man of the Match. Germany's ice hockey great Leon Draisaitl scored the only Oilers goal of the evening.

Brock Boeser was named player of the game. © APA / DEREK CAIN

Previously they moved Ottawa Senators in the first game of the season for the Stanley Cup aspirant Carolina Hurricanes the shortest with 3:5. Boston celebrated an expected 3-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado won in Los Angeles with 5:2 and Calgary the intra-Canadian duel against Winnipeg with 5:3.

The third all-Canada meeting, the classic between Toronto and Montreal, developed into a spectacular battle of nerves that was only decided in a penalty shootout. The Maple Leafs made up for a two-goal deficit twice in open exchanges and saved themselves in overtime thanks to star attacker Austin Matthews. After this had passed, Mitch Marner was the only one who kept his nerve in the penalty shootout and secured a 6:5 victory for the hosts.