Photo: NHL via Getty Images

What an eventful week and a half of hockey to begin the 2019-20 NHL regular season.  Every crazy little thing has happened around the league so far.  There have been some highlight reel goals, amazing saves, big hits, and plenty more.

Truth be told, it has been a little chaotic around the NHL since the regular season began on October 2.  The fireworks around the league are happening daily, and it is a wonderful thing to see.

Let’s re-live some of the last week’s most memorable moments:

BLAKE COLEMAN SCORES A HIGHLIGHT REEL GOAL

This goal will likely remain a goal-of-the-year candidate for the remainder of the regular season.  Devils forward Blake Coleman scored an awesome one handed goal versus the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, October 4.  Unfortunately for the Devils, the Jets roared back in this game and defeated them 5-4 in the shootout.  Coleman’s individual effort on this play was simply masterful.

“THE REAL DEAL” JAMES NEAL SCORES 4 GOALS IN ONE GAME

The Edmonton Oilers are 4-0 in the early going of the new season.  James Neal was acquired over the summer in exchange for Milan Lucic.  The change of scenery for Neal is already paying dividends for him and the Oilers.  Neal recorded 4 goals against the New York Islanders last Tuesday.  He has recorded 7 goals in the first four games for the Oilers.  Neal has already matched his goal output from a season ago in Calgary.

A RARE SIDNEY CROSBY SCRAP

Sidney Crosby usually avoids the rough stuff and does not normally drop the gloves.  However, he dropped the gloves with Blue Jackets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois last Saturday.  Crosby went after Pierre-Luc Dubois after Dubois attempted a high hit at Penguins forward Jake Guentzel.

RYAN REAVES TORTURING SHARKS

The Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks have developed quite the rivalry in the Western Conference.  Right in the middle of it is Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves, who delivered another crushing hit to Sharks defenseman Jake Middleton last Friday.

STICK THROWS

It was a bad mental goof by Maple Leafs forward Kasperi Kapanen last Saturday.  Kapanen threw his broken stick at Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry after he blocked a shot.  Because Kapanen threw his stick at Petry, Petry was rewarded a penalty shot, which he scored on.

OWN GOALS

Every team hates those dreaded “own goals.”  Most of the time, it happens on accident.  The St. Louis Blues found out the hard way when they faced their division rival Dallas Stars.  The good news for Jaden Schwartz and his Blues was that they ended up winning this game 3-2, so the “own goal” did not cost them.

SOME GOALIE MISPLAYS

Another St. Louis Blues goof happened an evening ago.  This time, Blues goaltender Jake Allen misplayed the puck behind the net.  This allowed the Ottawa Senators to capitalize on the play, and it gave Vitaly Abramov his first NHL goal.  The Blues were not harmed by this play, as they ended up defeating the Senators 6-4.

DEVAN DUBNYK STUNS KEITH URBAN WITH AMAZING SAVE

The NHL on NBC telecast featured country music artist and guest commentator Keith Urban last Thursday night for the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild matchup.  Dubnyk made an amazing spinning save on Predators forward Mikael Granlund early in the second period, which left Keith Urban virtually speechless on the microphone.  The Predators ended up winning this game 5-2, but this save will likely make it to the highlights at the end of the season.

WRESTLEMANIA MAIN EVENT: MATTHEW TKACHUK VERSUS DREW DOUGHTY

This rivalry between Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty is right up there with legendary pro-wrestling feuds like Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant, Stone Cold Steve Austin versus Mr. McMahon, and Shawn Michaels versus Bret Hart.

On Tuesday night, Doughty got the last laugh as the Kings defeated the Flames 4-3 in overtime.  Tkachuck tallied the final two goals of the game for the Flames, but it was not enough.  After scoring the overtime winner, Doughty brought out his inner Hulkster to the dismay of the disappointed Flames crowd.  The rivalry between Doughty and Tkachuck is starting to heat up, and there should be more to come in upcoming games between these two Pacific foes.

By: George Foussekis