NHL ROUNDUP
Devils 4, Avalanche 1
Hobey Baker Award winner Will Butcher set up three power-play goals to steal the spotlight from No. 1 overall draft pick Nico Hischier, and new-look New Jersey opened the season with a victory over Colorado on Saturday. Adam Henrique, Jimmy Hayes, rookie Jesper Bratt and John Moore scored as the Devils started eight players who were not with the team last year, when they posted the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Kyle Palmieri added two assists before leaving in the second period with a leg injury. Cory Schneider made 40 saves. Carl Soderberg scored for Colorado, a second after a power play expired. Jonathan Bernier was outstanding making 35 saves for the Avs, who opened their season on Thursday with a win over the Rangers.
Islanders 6, Sabres 3
John Tavares scored twice to lead New York to a victory over Buffalo in its home opener. Casey Cizikas had two goals and an assist, and Josh Bailey and Anthony Beauvillier also scored for the Islanders, who won a night after losing 5-0 at Columbus. Jaroslav Halak stopped 26 shots. Evander Kane scored twice and Jack Eichel had a goal and an assist for the Sabres, who are still seeking their first win under new coach Phil Housley. Robin Lehner gave up four goals on 16 shots and was pulled early in the second. Chad Johnson finished with 15 saves. The Islanders were 0 for 3 on the power play and Buffalo was 0 for 4, but each team scored two short-handed goals in a wild second period.
Maple Leafs 8, Rangers 5
Tyler Bozak, Leo Komarov and Nazem Kadri scored third-period goals and Toronto held off New York. It was an adventure in defending for both teams at times, with Toronto pulling ahead 5-1 in the first period and chasing Henrik Lundqvist before the Rangers scored four straight to quieten the Air Canada Centre crowd. Bozak ended the Maple Leafs' slide to make it 6-5 at 7:17 of third, redirecting a pass from the corner from Jake Gardiner over Ondrej Pavelec's glove. The Rangers lost a challenge that the play was offside, earning a minor penalty in the process. Kevin Hayes took a slashing penalty for New York, and Komarov made it 7-5 at 9:52, tapping in the rebound after William Nylander roofed a backhand off the crossbar. The Rangers pulled their goalie with some 3 minutes remaining only to see Ryan McDonagh take a hooking penalty.