But another became the first Swedish scorer of the season.

With a new number, 88, on the shirt, William Nylander received the audience's cheer as he rushed into the home arena ahead of Toronto's season premiere match against Ottawa. Most cheered though, was the newly appointed captain John Tavares as he slid in.

The maple leaf then got a cold shower to start, after Ottawa's Brady Tkachuk 25 seconds into the NHL premiere set the season's first goal.

However, Toronto did pull together, and had no major problems in taking their first three points.

Teenager did assist

William Nylander played with greater confidence after last year's contract crunch and goal drought. He had a few fouls in the third period, but his advance to the 3–2 goal no one can complain. Nylander coolly held the puck and popped it over a diving defender's club, and Austin Matthews could easily punch his first goal of two in the match. In doing so, the American also wrote NHL history, as one of four players who scored in their first four opening matches.

- I try to score in every match, so I don't know what to say. Nylander made an incredible pass, he says according to nhl.com.

Toronto's Rasmus Sandin, however, became the first Swedish to score for the NHL season. His shot led to a return that Trevor Moore picked up and something fortunate to score 2-1.

The 19-year-old from the uphill Alunda has been hailed during the preseason, and the match was also his first appearance in the NHL.

- It is a dream come true. That's what all hockey players play for, they want to take a place in the NHL. It feels really good right now, the Swede said when it was clear that he would be allowed to play the premiere.

Swedish goal scorers

The first Swedish goal scorer of the season became San Jose's Marcus Sörensen, who reduced to 2-1 in the meeting against Vegas, in a match that is still ongoing.

However, he did not have to be the sole Swedish scorer for very long, as Vancouver's Alexander Edler acknowledged to 1-1 against Edmonton shortly thereafter. Edler had another receipt chance in the closing seconds, but the shot hit the bar and Edmonton won by 3-2.