What happened: The empty-net strike came in New York's home opener and turned a late finish into a franchise first. It also added another entry to one of the league's shortest milestone lists from the crease.

Why it matters: Goalie goals remain rare enough that one can stand as a franchise marker for years. For New York, it gives Igor Shesterkin an early-season entry in team history that reaches well beyond a single night’s result.

What to watch: The next question is whether Shesterkin can pair the milestone with a strong run in net as New York moves through October. Another scoring chance would likely require the same late empty-net setup.