Free-agent acquisition Brad Boyes registered a goal and two assists, helping the New York Islanders rally for a 7-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. Matt Moulson and Michael Grabner scored two goals apiece for the Islanders, who were down 3-1 after the first period. Evgeni Nabokov made 39 saves for New York, which opened its season by splitting a pair of home games. Matt Frattin and Carl Gunnarsson each had a goal and two assists for Toronto. The Maple Leafs recalled Frattin from the AHL earlier Thursday to replace forward Joffrey Lupul, who is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks due to a fractured forearm suffered in Wednesday's win in Pittsburgh. Ben Scrivens was pulled in the third period after giving up five goals on 25 shots. James Reimer recorded seven saves in relief.
Final Score: Philadelphia 2, NY Rangers 1
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Jakub Voracek netted the deciding goal in the second period and Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 18-of-19 shots, as the Philadelphia Flyers avoided a franchise-worst start with a gritty 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers. Wayne Simmonds provided the other score for the Flyers, who had dropped the first three games of their truncated schedule and had never before lost four games in regulation to begin any season. Philadelphia also halted an eight-game losing streak to their division rivals without the services of forwards Danny Briere (wrist), Scott Hartnell (broken toe), and Brayden Schenn (1-game suspension). Taylor Pyatt produced the lone goal for the Rangers, who were coming off a 4-3 overtime win against Boston on Wednesday. Henrik Lundqvist played well in defeat, making 31 saves.
Final Score: Montreal 4, Washington 1
Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Carey Price made 30 saves to help the Montreal Canadiens in a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Thursday. Andrei Markov had a goal and an assist while Tomas Plekanec, Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges all lit the lamp for the Canadiens, who have won their past two games. Michal Neuvirth gave up all four goals on 22 shots for the Capitals, who have dropped all three of their games this season. Joey Crabb scored late in regulation to spoil Price's shutout bid.
Final Score: Carolina 6, Buffalo 3
Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Eric Staal recorded his 13th career hat trick and Jeff Skinner added two more goals, as the Carolina Hurricanes doubled up the Buffalo Sabres, 6-3, at PNC Arena. Justin Faulk added a short-handed goal in Carolina's first win after dropping its first two contests by a combined 9-2 margin. Cam Ward made 30 saves to pick up the victory. Jason Pominville netted two goals for the Sabres, while Jhonas Enroth gave up five goals on 37 shots.
Final Score: Ottawa 3, Florida 1
Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) - Erik Karlsson scored the go-ahead goal midway through the second period, as the Ottawa Senators secured a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Chris Phillips registered a power-play goal and Jason Spezza added an empty-netter for the Senators, who improved to 3-0-0 for the first time since 2007-08. Craig Anderson turned away 25 shots in the triumph and improved to 9-0-1 in 11 career starts against the Panthers. Tomas Fleischmann scored the lone Florida goal, while Jose Theodore surrendered two goals on 36 shots for the Panthers, who have lost three straight.
