Nino Niederreiter (32) celebrated his 900th regular season start in the NHL championship in the most beautiful way. On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, while eleven duels were scheduled across the vast North American territory, the Grisons right winger from Winnipeg was decorated with the first star at the end of the game won against the Utah Hockey Club at the Canada Life Center (3-0).
With American goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck (21 saves), the Swiss international was the main architect of the twelfth success in thirteen outings for the team coached by Scott Arniel. He has indeed scored two goals, his 6th and 7th since the start of the 2024-2025 financial year, his 229th and 230th since the start of his career in the North American professional league in 2010 with the New York Islanders.
In the 48th minute, “El Nino” subtly and skillfully thwarted Czech goalkeeper Karel Vejmelka to make it 2-0. “It’s always cool to score a goal like that,” he commented soberly.
In the 58th minute, he closed the book by lighting the lamp in an empty net.
While his ice time is no longer as significant as when he was 25 (he skated for 13’49” against Utah), Nino Niederreiter has a card of twelve personal points and a differential of +11 since start of the exercise. This is quite simply the most productive start of his career. “It’s a great achievement and I’m happy to have done it at home in front of some familiar faces,” he added.
He has also become a rare case in the NHL: Niederreiter scored against 33 teams in a league which has 32. The reason: Utah was based in Arizona and was called the Coyotes until the end of last season. “It’s proof that I am indeed a veteran,” he laughed.
NHL. Tuesday’s matches.
Montréal – Calgary 2-3 ap
San Jose – Columbus 2-1 ap
Carolina – Philadelphia 6-4
NY Islanders – Pittsburgh 4-3 tab
St. Louis – Tampa Bay 3-2
Minnesota – Los Angeles 5-1
