NEW YORK -- The Edmonton Oilers are winning games they almost certainly would have lost the past two seasons. 

BOSTON -- Dust hung in the air. Sections of the ninth floor remained unfinished. New seats were still being installed, as workers frantically tried to ready TD Garden hours before the puck dropped on the Boston Bruins' home opener. It seemed the least-changed thing on Causeway Street on Saturday was the Bruins themselves.

MONTREAL -- The tire probably was flat on the winged wheel of Jonathan Bernier's Detroit Red Wings logo when he peeled his jersey off Thursday, beaten down as it was by all the pucks shot into it by the Montreal Canadiens.

CHICAGO -- Patrick Marleau had a smile on his face throughout his postgame talk.

WINNIPEG -- Patrik Laine said his struggles to score last season were a direct result of worrying about his contract, an issue he no longer needs to concern himself with.

The Boston Bruins tied their best start to a season in 18 years and don't appear worse for the wear after an extended run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Kaapo Kakko's English is improving, and his comfort level and confidence are growing. Now, two games into his NHL career, the desire the New York Rangers rookie forward has to produce is slowly rising to a level matching the hype that preceded him. 

DETROIT -- Troy Terry is a Dallas fan, in more ways than one.

The Coaches Room is a regular feature throughout the 2019-20 season by one of four former NHL coaches and assistants who will turn their critical gaze to the game and explain it through the lens of a teacher. Paul MacLean, Rob Zettler, Rob Cookson and Randy Carlyle will take turns providing insight. 

WASHINGTON -- Joe Pavelski isn't there yet, but slowly he can feel it coming.