Ducks open the season with a 4-3 victory over the Golden Knights

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Leo Carlsson had a goal and an assist, Lukas Dostal made 27 saves and the Anaheim Ducks opened the season by holding off the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 on Friday night.

The teams met last season in the second round of the playoffs, with Vegas winning in six games and going on to win the Western Conference. The Golden Knights opened Tuesday night at home with a 5-2 victory over Chicago.

Carlson set up Beckett Sennecke's goal with eight seconds left in the first period, then scored at 7:03 of the second to cap a three-goal burst for a 4-0 lead. Alex Killorn and Jeff Malott also scored.

Shea Theodore, Tomas Hertl and Braeden Bowman scored for Vegas in the third period, with Bowman connecting with 2:50 left. Hertl struck on a power play.

Carter Hart stopped 16 shots for the Golden Knights.

Ducks: Host Florida on Sunday.

Golden Knights: At Vancouver on Sunday night.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) attempts a shot on Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) celebrates after scoring against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Parker Wotherspoon (29) and Anaheim Ducks left wing A.J. Greer (18) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Anaheim Ducks right wing Beckett Sennecke (45) celebrates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) scores against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

DALLAS (AP) — Mason McTavish scored only 94 seconds into his first game with the Blues to put them ahead to stay, Joel Hofer stopped 25 shots for his ninth career shutout and St. Louis won 4-0 at Dallas on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.

Dalibor Dvorsky scored in the second period for the Blues before they got empty-netters from Jimmy Snuggerud and Pius Suter in the game's final 2 1/2 minutes.

The 21-year-old Dvorsky had his open shot at the net when goalie Jake Oettinger fell down after getting clipped by teammate Roope Hintz. Oettinger stopped 20 shots.

Dallas lost a season opener for the first time since 2019, ending a six-game winning streak that had been the NHL's longest active streak. The Stars were also shut out in a home opener for the first time since moving to Dallas before the 1993-94 season.

Dallas and St. Louis were among seven teams to play their first game Friday, three nights after the NHL season began.

Hofer had six shutouts in 43 starts for the Blues last season.

McTavish was traded from Anaheim to St. Louis for two first-round picks (Nos. 15 and 29) during the draft in June. He scored the fifth-quickest goal to start a season opener in Blues franchise history.

Blues defenseman Brandon Carlo got a game misconduct for a kneeing penalty early in the third period that sent top-line center Hintz, in his first game since March 6, down to the ice while grabbing at his left knee.

Hintz, who tore his hamstring in two places last season, was moving gingerly when behind helped off the ice, but returned a few minutes later.

Blues forward Alexey Toropchenko left with an apparent right shoulder injury early in the second period after he was hit behind his net by Lian Bichsel and Tyler Seguin.

Both teams play again Saturday. St. Louis is at Colorado, and Dallas plays in Nashville.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) controls the puck in front of St. Louis Blues left wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

St. Louis Blues right wing Dalibor Dvorsky (15) skates by his bench after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger defends his net against the St. Louis Blues during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz, right, attacks against St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

St. Louis Blues center Mason McTavish (83) celebrates his first period goal with teammates Theo Lindstein (4), Colton Parayko (55) and Pavel Buchnevich (89) during an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)