UNDATED (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins are the first winners of the NHL season, having spoiled the Tampa Bay Lightning’s banner-raising night. It was also a night of firsts in Las Vegas as the Seattle Kraken lost their NHL debut.
Eleven Penguins collected at least one point in a 6-2 win over the Bolts. Danton Heinen and Brian Boyle scored early second-period goals for the short-handed Penguins, who added four more in the third. Three of the late goals were empty-netters.
The Pens won easily without injured stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Tristan Jarry turned back 26 shots and Kris Letang set up two goals. Jarry was perfect until Anthony Cirelli beat him with about 5 1/2 minutes remaining.
Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 29 of 32 shots for the Lightning.
The Kraken clawed back from a 3-0 deficit in their NHL debut, only to lose, 4-3 to the Golden Knights on Chandler Stephenson’s goal with 11:27 remaining.
Ryan Donato has the distinction of scoring Seattle’s first-ever goal, beating Robin Lehner midway through the second period. Jared McCann tallied 72 seconds later and Morgan Geekie tied it 35 seconds before Stephenson put the Knights ahead to stay.
Max Pacioretty delivered two goals and an assist for Vegas.
