The Daily Sniper: The Sens are an Unstoppable Killing Machine

News and notes from last night's action...

AP Photo/Gregory Smith

Ottawa 3, Atlanta 1 -- OK, so maybe the Sens aren't killing machines. And maybe they were playing the now 0-3 Thrashers last night. That doesn't take anything away from the fact that they are now 5-0 and have outscored their opponents 16-8. 2003 9th round pick Brian Elliot started in goal for the Sens and stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced. Elliot got the start thanks to Ray Emery's injured wrist and Martin Gerber getting rest due to games on back to back nights.

Montreal 3, Pittsburgh 2 -- Carey Price's long awaited debut was a successful one, as the teenager stopped 26 shots en route to his first NHL win. Want to know something freaky? Last night was 22 years to the day that Patrick Roy made his NHL debut for the Habs. Against the Penguins. In Pittsburgh.

San Jose 2, Chicago 1 -- The other notable debut last night was Jon Toews' start for the Blackhawks. The Hawks took Toews 3rd overall in 2006, and the kid notched his first NHL goal in the first period. Milan Michalek would spoil things for Chicago, as the Sharks' young star netted a pair of goals. Sadly, Jeremy Roenick was held scoreless. Women everywhere are disappointed.

Philadelphia 8, Vancouver 2 -- The Canucks are now the 2nd Canadian team to get blown out by a six goal margin at home in the last two days. Nice of Vancouver to show up, eh? Roebrto Luongo certainly didn't get the memo, as he stopped only nine shots and was yanked during the first period. For the Flyers, Mike Richards had four points and was +4, Daniel Briere had three points and Joffrey Lupul had two. Despite the loss, the Sedin twins each picked up two helpers.

Anaheim 2, Boston 1 -- It's been a long time coming; the Ducks have finally had their home opener. After an unfathomable amount of frequent flyer miles, they finally raised their Stanley Cup banner last night in Anaheim. Ryan Getzlaf had two points for the Ducks, and Francois Beauchemin scored the game winner in the third.

Minnesota 2, Edmonton 0 -- Niklas Backstrom is a BEAST, getting his second shutout of the year by stopped all 21 Oiler shots. Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik each had two points for Minnesota.

NY Islanders 2, NY Rangers 1 -- In case you didn't understand the prior post, the Islanders beat the Rangers last night on Versus. Bryan Berard scored the game winning powerplay goal in his return to Long Island at 13:56 of the second. Rick DiPietro stopped 36 shots including all 12 in the third to help preserve the win. Fedor Tyutin had the lone Ranger goal and Marc-Andre Bergeron had two points for the Islanders.

Detroit 4, Calgary 2 -- Kristian Huselius scored twice for the Calgary Keenans, but it was not enough as four different Red Wings scored to give Detroit their third victory of the year.

Columbus 3, Phoenix 0 -- Pascal Leclaire had another stellar game in net for the BJs, earning his second shutout of the young season. Jason Chimera had three points in the winning effort.

Tampa Bay 2, Florida 1 -- The Bolts won the first Battle of Florida this season, thanks to two Chris Gratton goals. Gratton scored on both the powerplay and while shorthanded.

St. Louis 4, Nashville 1 -- Chris Mason allowed all four goals and was yanked midway through the second period in favor Dan Ellis (who?). The Blues won with two goals from Brad Boyes and two assists from Paul Kariya.

Dallas 5, Los Angeles 1 -- Niklas Hagman had two goals for Dallas, and the Kings' net minder Jason LaBarbera stopped only 22 of 27 shots.