Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our Weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the storylines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.Flyers 6, Capitals 5: After a scoreless first period in Philadelphia, the final 40 minutes of regulation -- and the overtime period -- of the Capitals-Flyers game turned into a defense optional contest.
The two teams pumped in 11 goals during Philadelphia's 6-5 overtime win, including a second period hat trick from Flyers center Mike Richards, giving him five goals in his first three games of the season. Such a number would have given him the early season lead in goals scored, had it not been for Alex Ovechkin continuing his white-hot start by adding a pair of his own, also giving him five on the young season.
After the jump: Video of the day, an unlikely hat trick, Ottawa tops 'The Monster'
The game-winning tally came from Danny Briere at the 3:52 mark of the overtime period on the same day he celebrated his 33rd birthday. Some of the other offensive highlights from the night: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom registered three more assists ... Flyers defenseman Matt Carle had four assists of his own - in the second period ... Capitals winger Alexander Semin scored two more goals ... Through three games, the line of Ovechkin, Backstrom and Semin has combined for nine goals, 15 assists and 24 points.
Flames 4, Canadiens 3: Entering play on Tuesday, former No. 10 overall pick (2002) Eric Nystrom had played 124 games in the NHL and scored eight goals. During Calgary's 4-3 win against Montreal, the 26-year-old winger scored three goals on three shots for the first multiple-goal game of his career. Scott Gomez scored his first goal as a member of the Canadiens in the loss.
Senators 2, Maple Leafs 1: The Maple Leafs dropped their third in a row to start the season, falling to their Provincial rivals. Daniel Alfredsson and Shean Donovan provided the offense for the Senators, while Pascal Leclaire stopped 26 of 27 shots in net. Matt Stajan provided the lone goal for Toronto (his third of the season) and Jonas Gustavsson stopped 26 shots in his first career start. For 59 minutes and 23 seconds, Gustavsson pitched a shutout for the Leafs only to surrender both goals in a 37-second span early in the second period.
Tuesday's Other Games
Carolina tops Tampa Bay in a shootout. [Box Score, Recap]
Minnesota comes back for overtime win. [Box Score, Recap]
Edmonton wins in a shootout. [Box Score, Recap]
Los Angeles takes on San Jose [Box Score, Recap]
Loose Pucks
-- With Andrei Markov on the shelf for a few months, Montreal addressed its power play and depth on the blue line by adding free agent defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeon. He scored 14 goals for Minnesota a year ago. [TSN]
-- Good news for the New Jersey Devils as winger Patrik Elias has returned to the ice. [Fire & Ice]
-- Bad news for the Colorado Avalanche as goaltender Craig Anderson, the man leading their surprising start, missed practice on Tuesday with a "minor groin strain." According to Adrian Dater, the Avs believe he will return to practice on Wednesday. [All Things Avs]
Video Of The Day
Mike Richards pounces on a loose puck and scores his third goal of the game.
Wednesday's Key Games
Another slow night on the schedule as only four teams are in action.
Penguins vs. Coyotes: Phoenix continues its season-opening three-game road trip in Pittsburgh against the Stanley Cup Champions who are looking to win their third in a row.
Canadiens vs. Canucks: Vancouver looks to get in the "W" column for the first time this season against Montreal, while everyone asks what's wrong with Roberto Luongo?
