Avery Hayes Scores Twice in Stunning NHL Debut Despite Loss

NHL
By Carl Smith
Avery Hayes NHL debut
Avery Hayes scores twice in impressive NHL debut for Penguins. [Image Source: 365DM]

The Pittsburgh Penguins faced off against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Thursday night, during the NHL’s Olympic break. While the Penguins fell short with a 5-2 defeat, rookie Avery Hayes made a significant impact by scoring twice in his NHL debut, showcasing his talent on a big stage. Hayes’ performance, along with contributions from teammate Ben Kindel, highlighted the Penguins’ youthful energy despite the loss.

Match Details and Key Plays from the Game

The Sabres drew first blood when Jason Zucker scored at 18:14 in the opening period, capitalizing on a turnover by Egor Chinakhov in the neutral zone. Zucker’s wrist shot from the blue line flew past Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs to give Buffalo an early 1-0 lead. However, the Penguins responded quickly, with Hayes tying the game at 1-1 after chasing down a loose puck and beating Alex Lyon on a breakaway at 10:43.

Hayes kept the momentum going late in the first period, scoring again at 18:46. After a fierce puck battle, Parker Wotherspoon maintained possession in Buffalo’s zone, leading to a no-look pass from Anthony Mantha to Hayes, who fired a snap shot glove side. This goal put Pittsburgh ahead 2-1 heading into the second period.

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Image of: NHL

Ben Kindel then extended Pittsburgh’s advantage to 3-1 at 12:17 of the second frame. Kindel finished a 2-on-1 break with a precise shot from the left circle, marking his 13th goal of the season. Pittsburgh looked poised to control the game despite Buffalo’s resilience.

Buffalo rallied in the third period with Tage Thompson scoring on the power play at 18:06, his 30th goal of the season, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Then Tommy Novak capitalized on a rebound off Chinakhov’s point shot for his 11th goal with 4:28 remaining, tying the game at 3-3. The final blow came late when Kindel scored short-handed in the empty net, sealing the 5-2 victory for Pittsburgh despite their eventual loss.

Rosters Highlighted Youth and Experience

The Penguins featured a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, including Sidney Crosby, Anthony Mantha, Evgeni Malkin, and rookies like Avery Hayes and Rutger McGroarty. Buffalo’s lineup combined established scorers such as Tage Thompson, Jason Zucker, and Rasmus Dahlin alongside younger players like Jack Quinn and Alex Doan, creating a competitive balance.

Avery Hayes Reflects on His Memorable First NHL Game

Hayes shared his excitement following the game, describing the experience as overwhelming yet thrilling. He said,

“I honestly blacked out a bit, but it was a ton of fun. It was a great win for the team. …Right now, I can’t really put it into words. I’m just excited to see my family after. They were able to make the trip. I have no words right now, but it was a ton of fun.”

On the challenges faced in the league, Hayes added,

“I know it’s not that easy. It’s the hardest league in the world for a reason. I was just able to get a couple lucky bounces early. …I wasn’t really thinking. It was a great chip, great exit on the D-zone, and I was just able to get by him. I was lucky enough to put a low blocker in.”

Teammate’s Praise for Hayes’ Performance

Rutger McGroarty, who assisted on Hayes’ first goal, praised his teammate’s perseverance and skill. McGroarty stated,

“I’m super excited for him, and honestly, it’s so well deserved. I mean, I’ve seen his grind for about a year and a half now. He’s an incredible hockey player… I’m so happy for him.”

Important Statistical Milestones from the Game

Arturs Silovs made 26 saves for the Penguins in net, while Alex Lyon stopped 27 shots for Buffalo. Hayes was recalled early from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL to make his NHL debut that night. By scoring in his first game, Hayes became the first Penguins player since Kasper Bjorkqvist in January 2022 to find the net in his debut, and he achieved a rare feat by scoring two goals within the first period.

Since the 2000–01 season, only five Penguins have scored within the first 10 minutes of their NHL debut: Jake Guentzel, Luca Caputi, Derrick Pouliot, Tom Kostopoulos, and Kasper Bjorkqvist. Hayes now joins this exclusive group. His two-goal debut makes him the sixth player since 2013-14 to net multiple goals in their first game, alongside Auston Matthews, Ryan Poehling, Josh Doan, Morgan Geekie, and Jake Guentzel.

Additionally, Hayes is the seventh to score both debut goals in the first period, joining historical names such as Harry Hyland, Auston Matthews, and Joe Malone. The combined impact of rookies Hayes and Ben Kindel, each scoring twice, marks only the sixth time in franchise history that multiple rookies have scored multiple goals in the same game, the last instance featuring Sidney Crosby and Michel Ouellet in 2006.

Team Performance and Standings Context

Despite the loss, the Penguins improve their overall record to 29-15-12, maintaining a strong recent form at 7-1-1 in their previous nine games, though they dropped back-to-back games before the Olympic break. Buffalo, now 32-19-6 for the season, entered the game on a five-game winning streak but have since lost three out of four contests.

Buffalo’s home record remains impressive, holding an undefeated mark when scoring first at KeyBank Center this season (13-0-0). They share this achievement with the Colorado Avalanche and Anaheim Ducks, the only teams not yet defeated at home after scoring the first goal.

Tage Thompson’s 30 goals place him among the franchise’s elite, tied with legends Alexander Mogilny, Rene Robert, and Thomas Vanek for fifth-most 30-goal seasons in Sabres history. Furthermore, Rasmus Dahlin extended his assist streak to six consecutive games, matching his personal best and positioning himself close to the franchise record held by Phil Housley.

Looking Ahead: Post-Olympic Break Outlook for Teams

As the NHL pauses for the Olympic break, both Pittsburgh and Buffalo will look to recalibrate and build momentum. The Penguins will return to PPG Paints Arena on February 26 to face the New Jersey Devils, aiming to regain winning form on home ice. The Sabres will take on the Devils earlier, on February 25 in Newark, seeking to rebound following their recent losses.

This game served as a promising sign for Pittsburgh’s future, with Avery Hayes’ outstanding debut providing a glimpse of the team’s youthful potential. Their blend of veteran leadership and young talent will be a crucial factor as the season progresses toward the playoffs. Buffalo, meanwhile, hopes to sustain its competitive position in the league by harnessing the scoring talents of players like Thompson and the playmaking skills of Dahlin.

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