* Wayne Simmonds registered his second career hat trick -- the first ever by a Flyers player in a season opener -- to help Philadelphia past San Jose, marking the first season-opening loss by the Sharks since 2009-10 (halting their seven-game win streak in such contests).
WEDNESDAY'S RESULTSHome Team in Caps
Toronto 7, WINNIPEG 2
St. Louis 5, PITTSBURGH 4 (OT)
EDMONTON 3, Calgary 0
Philadelphia 5, SAN JOSE 3
DID YOU KNOW? HAT TRICKS ON OPENING NIGHT
Wednesday marked the third time in NHL history that the first day of the season featured multiple hat tricks. The first such instance came on the inaugural day of NHL play on Dec. 19, 1917, when both contests -- Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators and Toronto Arenas at Montreal Wanderers -- featured two players with at least three goals. The other occurred on Oct. 9, 1986 when Maple Leafs forward Tom Fergus (3-2-5 vs. MTL) and Penguins forward Randy Cunneyworth (3-0-3 vs. WSH) each achieved the feat.
MATTHEWS, MARLEAU LEAD MAPLE LEAFS TO VICTORY
Auston Matthews collected 1-2-3 and Patrick Marleau scored twice in his Maple Leafs debut to lead Toronto to a 7-2 victory, marking the seventh time the club has scored at least seven goals in a season opener. Marleau skated in the 1,494th game of his NHL career and first with a team other than the Sharks.
* Matthews, who scored four goals in his NHL debut last season, became the fourth player in League history to start each of his first two seasons with at least three points in his team's season-opening game.
PENGUINS RAISE STANLEY CUP BANNER IN PREGAME CEREMONY
For the second straight year, the Penguins began the season by celebrating a championship, raising their fifth Stanley Cup banner to the rafters of PPG Paints Arena.
VEGAS STRONG
All eight teams in action on Wednesday observed a moment of silence to honor the victims of Sunday night's mass shooting in Las Vegas. Under the banner "Vegas Strong," the League, its clubs and players will honor the victims at season-opening games this week.
JAGR SIGNS ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH FLAMES
Jaromir Jagr signed a one-year contract with the Flames on Wednesday. The 45-year-old enters his 24th NHL campaign ranking second all-time in points (765-1,149-1,914), third in goals (765), fourth in games played (1,711) and fifth in assists (1,149).
QUICK CLICKS
1.
Ray Whitney joins NHL Department of Player Safety
2.
Doc Emrick delivers emotional tribute to late Stars broadcaster Dave Strader
3.
NHL and Twitter celebrate opening of 2017-18 season with hashtag team emojis
4.
Walker of Capitals ready to become NHL's first Australian player
5.
Behind the Numbers: What to expect from Jagr with Flames in 2017-18
RED WINGS HOST WILD IN OPENER AT LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
The Red Wings host the Wild in the first ever NHL regular-season game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The Red Wings franchise has called three other buildings home in its 91-year history: Border Cities Arena (1926-27), Detroit Olympia (1927-28-1979-80) and Joe Louis Arena (1979-80-2016-17). Click each link to view the box score from the team's first regular-season game in each arena.
