The Daily: Matthews on Unique NHL List Alongside Former Red Wings Player; Could Bruins Find a Way to Land Stamkos?

Red Wings fans were certainly excited to see Alex DeBrincat netting the game winner on Saturday against Tampa Bay in his Detroit hometown debut. Imagine then how excited Toronto Maple Leafs fans are about the work Auston Matthews is doing in the NHL’s red light district.

Two games, two hat tricks for Auston Matthews (@AM34). 🥶 #NHLFaceOff

Is that good? pic.twitter.com/TjLthxcWN7

— NHL (@NHL) October 15, 2023

Netting three goals in Saturday’s 7-4 win over the Minnesota Wild, Matthews became just the fifth player in NHL history to record consecutive hat-tricks in the first two games of the season. Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin did it in 2017-18. The other three players all did it in 1917-18, the NHL’s inaugural season – Joe Malone, Cy Denneny and Reg Noble.

Of that group, Noble is worthy of note, for he would go on to play for and captain the Red Wings. A Stanley Cup winner with the Toronto Arenas (1917-18), Toronto St. Patricks (1921-22) and Montreal Maroons (1925-26), Detroit coach-GM Jack Adams was a former teammate of Noble’s. He acquired the veteran in 1927 to bring some experience to his second-year Detroit squad.

#WaybackWednesday 96 years ago today ON THIS DAY in hockey history (October 4, 1927):

The Detroit Cougars purchase the contract of Reg Noble from the Montrel Maroons for $7,500 cash pic.twitter.com/vCyrNeb9R7

— Vintage Hockey Showcase (@hockey_vintage) October 4, 2023

While playing for Detroit during the 1929-30 season, Noble became the NHL’s all-time leader in assists. He finally left the league in 1933, retiring as the last active original NHLer to skate in the league. Noble would earn enshrinement into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Detroit goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa made 40 saves in his AHL season debut for the Grand Rapids Griffins
• Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond was a big hit in their win over Tampa Bay
• Detroit 2023 first-round draft pick Axel Sandin Pellikka is continuing to light red lamps in Sweden

Red Wings Next Game

Hitting the road again, Detroit is in Columbus to face the Blue Jackets on Monday (7 p.m. ET). The Red Wings won both games at Nationwide Arena last season by a combined scored of 10-3. Detroit was swapping veteran minor-league forwards prior to this game. Going back down to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins was Zach Aston-Reese. Rising to Detroit is Austin Czarnik.

Atlantic Division

Boston: Would it ever be possible for the Boston Bruins to work out a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning for disgruntled center Steven Stamkos?

Buffalo: In agreeing to terms with defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power and forwards Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens on long-term deals, the Buffalo Sabres have locked up their core players for a very long time.

Florida: The Florida Panthers are off to an 0-2 start to the NHL season.

Montreal: Joy over the Montreal Canadiens win against Chicago was tempered by an injury to forward Kirby Dach.

Ottawa: The Ottawa Senators continue to be without forwards Josh Norris (shoulder injury) and Shane Pinto (contract holdout).

Tampa Bay: Captain Steven Stamkos was absent from Sunday’s game at Ottawa due to a lower-body injury.

Toronto: Auston Matthews insists that there was never any substance to rumors that he was considering leaving the Maple Leafs.

Hockey Now Network

Pittsburgh: The early bottom line on the bottom six forwards for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Philadelphia: Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere is ready to talk trade with other NHL teams.

Washington: New dad Darcy Kuemper was back in the Washington Capitals net at practice on Sunday and is expected to play Monday.

Islanders: For better or worse, the season opener for the New York Islanders was indicative of who they are as a team.

New Jersey: Former Red Wings forward Tomas Nosek is day-to-day for the New Jersey Devils with a lower-body injury.

Carolina: The Carolina Hurricanes won a nine-round shootout to beat the Los Angeles Kings.

Chicago: As much fun as it is to see Connor Bedard in action, there’s little joy in watching the painful rebuild of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Colorado: Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev won his 100th NHL game.

San Jose: The story behind MacKenzie Blackwood’s San Jose Sharks goalie mask.

Vegas: Defining the Vegas Golden Knights season so far – injuries, a suspension and great goaltending.