National Hockey

DALLAS — James Neal scored twice in the third period Friday night, rallying the Golden Knights to a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in the debut of the first major pro sports franchise in Las Vegas.

TAMPA, Fla. — Steven Stamkos is back. Stamkos set up the go-ahead goal in his return from a right knee injury and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 5-3 on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Artemi Panarin didn't need to score a goal to have a big impact in his first game for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

DALLAS — The Dallas Stars formed a line next to players from the Vegas Golden Knights to honour victims of last weekend's mass shooting before the debut of the first major pro sports franchise in Las Vegas.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Washington Capitals forward Nathan Walker will become the first Australian player to dress in an NHL game when he makes his debut Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens.

PITTSBURGH — Four months ago, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators spent six games trading shots and momentum in a spirited tug-of-war for the Stanley Cup that ended with the Penguins skating away with their second straight title.

The hats were flying at a historic pace on the first two nights of the NHL season. Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin, Wayne Simmonds and Brandon Saad each recorded a hat trick in his team's season opener.

TORONTO — Despite watching his team win 7-2 in Winnipeg to kick off the season, Mike Babcock wants improvements in Saturday's home opener against the New York Rangers.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Ducks weren't too excited about the start to their season opener, but turns out they had an exciting finish in the wings.

LOS ANGELES — Jonathan Quick's last season opener ended in the first period, and his groin injury kept him out for the Los Angeles Kings' next 59 games.