The week around the NHL had plenty of score-sheet moments, but the best rink-side snapshots came from family introductions, a rookie’s breakthrough, a homework assist and a pair of skates getting tied in Buffalo.
Key takeaways
- Alex Ovechkin’s sons, Sergei and Ilya, introduced the Capitals captain before Washington’s final home opener.
- Toronto rookie Gavin McKenna posted his first NHL goal and assist in the second period against Nashville.
- New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer helped Matt Martin’s daughter Ali finish a preschool worksheet.
- Drew Doughty shared a letter he sent to Wayne Gretzky as a five-year-old Kings fan in 1995.
- Nick and Marcus Foligno took on skate-tying duties for their niece during a visit to Buffalo.
- Colorado defenseman Brent Burns found two convincing bearded lookalikes at the glass before facing Winnipeg.
Family, fans and a full-circle Kings moment
Washington’s final home opener got an especially fitting pregame touch when Ovechkin’s boys stepped to the microphone wearing their father’s jersey. In unison, Sergei and Ilya announced, “Your captain, number eight, Alexander Ovechkin.” Ovechkin gave both sons a pat on the back, then skated out to acknowledge the crowd.
In Buffalo, the Foligno brothers were put to work before the Minnesota Wild met the Sabres on Tuesday. Their sister Cara posted a photo showing Nick and Marcus each tying one of their niece’s skates, with the family making the most of the brothers’ return to their hometown.
Doughty, now the Kings captain, reached back into his childhood files with a photo of a 1995 letter written to Gretzky, then Los Angeles’ captain. Doughty told Gretzky about his youth team and explained how much he admired both the player and the club.
“You are my favourite hockey player and the LA Kings is my favourite team,” young Doughty wrote. “My mommy says I used to cry to stay up late and watch hockey when I was two years old.”
Burns had a lighter warmup moment Wednesday before Colorado played Winnipeg. Two fans in No. 84 jerseys, complete with Burns-style beards, stood by the glass and caught the Avalanche blueliner’s eye. Burns pointed them out to teammates and laughed at the three-man resemblance.
McKenna breaks through while Schaefer handles homework duty
McKenna’s first big NHL entry arrived Tuesday against the Predators. The No. 1 selection in the 2026 NHL Draft collected his first league assist and then scored his first goal during the second period.
With fewer than six minutes remaining in the frame, McKenna took a pass from Auston Matthews and beat the goalie high to bring Toronto within one at 4-3. The Maple Leafs rookie followed the finish with an arm-pump celebration.
Schaefer’s contribution away from the rink was more academic. In a video shared by Sydney Martin, the Islanders defenseman encouraged Ali Martin to locate one final tree on her worksheet, applauding her progress before lifting her up once the assignment was complete.
Ali had her own post-homework plan ready: “Let’s go play soccer!”
