Alright, buckle up, hockey heads, because October 15th delivered some absolute fireworks across the league, none bigger than the New Jersey Devils absolutely dismantling their cross-river rivals. Yeah, you heard that right, the Devils handed the New York Rangers a beating by *six goals* or more for the first time since way back on March 25th, 1987. That is a historic shellacking, and it’s a serious statement from a team that seems to be finding its stride early in the season.
Hischier’s Drive and Early Season Statements
Talk about making a mark. Devils captain Nico Hischier didn’t just lead his team to that monstrous victory; he also officially became the third all-time goal scorer in franchise history! That’s some serious legacy stuff right there. But when asked about it, Hischier wasn’t looking back. “These things obviously make me a little proud, but I’d rather get a fourth Stanley Cup for this franchise,” he said. “I’ve worked really hard to get to this point, but I’m not done. I still want to keep working hard.” That’s the kind of drive you love to see from a leader, especially in the grind of the regular season. Their bench boss, Sheldon Keefe, even hit a personal milestone, reaching 300 wins. Sounds like the Devils are dialing things in, even if some early-season analytics were giving them some grief about their “finish to their game” according to JP Gambatese. Greg Wyshynski over at ESPN even got Sunny Mehta to break down their current team-building philosophy, mixing that fan nostalgia with hard facts. Plus, their Tuesday night game against the Red Wings pulled in almost 700k viewers on ESPN alone. The league is watching this team, big time.
Across the Ice: Milestones, Struggles, and Our Kraken
Meanwhile, other teams are making their own headlines, for better or worse. Patrick Kane, that legend, just snatched the top spot for *most assists by an American-born player* in NHL history. Absolutely incredible, a testament to his longevity and skill. Over in Edmonton, Vasily Podkolzin, who was just an outcast from Vancouver a few seasons ago, has completely flipped the script and turned into a top-line goal scorer for the Oilers this season. And speaking of longevity, David Perron just signed on for his 20th season! That’s just wild. The Avalanche also made a move, bringing in Brett McLean as an assistant coach after Dave Hakstol left for Arizona State.
On the flip side, the Flyers are having a rough go, dropping to a dismal 0-6-3 record after the Red Wings scored late to beat them. Coach Rick Tocchet is pulling out the usual post-game lines, saying, “I liked our start, but they came on a little bit. There are moments in a game when you have to come through, and we’ve been having a tough time of that.” Sounds like a team searching for answers, and our Emerald City squad knows that feeling when you’re trying to find your footing. The Red Wings also took a moment to celebrate the life of Jenny Baumann, the wife of their trainer Russ Baumann, after her passing last weekend.
And speaking of our Kraken, they were on the road battling the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was a tough one, with our boys ultimately falling 4-3 to the Bolts. Every single point matters in this league, especially in the early season. That’s a gut punch when you’re so close.
Time to Rebound
This early part of the season is all about finding your identity, putting together consistent efforts, and racking up those crucial points. While other teams are celebrating historic wins or personal milestones, our Kraken have got to shake off that tough loss to the Lightning. Every game is a chance to reset and show what we’re truly made of. Let’s get it, boys.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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