One season after a surprising march to the Western Conference finals, the Dallas Stars open up their 2008-09 campaign with a home test versus the Columbus Blue Jackets at American Airlines Center.

Last year, New Jersey didn't have a home game until October 27, but the Devils will begin their 2008-09 schedule at the Prudential Center as they welcome the New York Islanders to Newark for an Atlantic Division battle.

The New York Rangers are back in North America for their official home debut of the 2008-09 season, as they welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to Madison Square Garden.

Mike Babcock was proud of the way the Detroit Red Wings combined their talent with a relentless style of play that led to winning the Stanley Cup.

Jonathan Cheechoo scored a pair of goals and the San Jose Sharks pounded the Anaheim Ducks in convincing fashion, 4-1, in a battle of Pacific Division rivals from the HP Pavilion.

Alex Burrows scored a pair of goals and Roberto Luongo stopped all 25 shots he saw, as Vancouver rolled to a 6-0 win over Calgary in both clubs' season opener.

David Krejci's even-strength marker late in the third period proved to be the game-winner, as the Boston Bruins kicked off the 2008-09 campaign with a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.

Alex Burrows scored twice and Roberto Luongo made 25 saves, leading the Vancouver Canucks to a season-opening 6-0 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.

Jonathan Cheechoo scored two goals, Evgeni Nabokov took a shutout into the final minutes and Todd McLellan won his NHL head coaching debut in the San Jose Sharks' 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.

David Krejci scored the tiebreaking goal with 2:36 remaining and Marc Savard added a goal and an assist, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 5-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche in the season opener for both teams Thursday night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs watched the Detroit Red Wings hoist the Stanley Cup banner to the rafters, then they put a damper on the celebration.

Nikolai Kulemin's first NHL goal was the game- winner, as Toronto held on for a 3-2 triumph in the regular-season opener for both clubs at Joe Louis Arena.

The Detroit Red Wings hoisted an 11th Stanley Cup banner to the rafters Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena before their opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Philadelphia Flyers placed defensemen Derian Hatcher and Ryan Parent on the injured reserve list Thursday.

The Florida Panthers activated forwards David Booth, Radek Dvorak and Stephen Weiss from injured reserve on Thursday.

It's officially the second week of training camp. The Dallas Stars' roster number has been cut to the mid-30s.

Contenders

Contenders

The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Mike Zigomanis from the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday in exchange for future considerations.

Now that the National Hockey League's European vacation is over, the real season can begin.