In the first meeting between the top two picks from the 2017 NHL Draft, it was a high pick from 2011 who came up big.
First overall pick Nico Hischier and the New Jersey Devils hosted second selection Nolan Patrick and the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
Sean Couturier - the eighth overall pick in 2011 - stole the show, however, scoring two goals and adding an assist to maintain a streak of red-hot play.
Two goals in each of his last three games, with nine tallies in his last seven. Sean Couturier is scoring at will. pic.twitter.com/uxRLFSxS6n
— NHL (@NHL) January 14, 2018
Couturier now has 25 goals and 45 points through 42 games, both of which are already new single-season highs for the 25-year-old center.
As for the rookies, Hischier held the advantage over Patrick despite his team taking the loss:
| Player | TOI | Goals | Assists | Shots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nico Hischier | 15:52 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Nolan Patrick | 8:59 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
These two clubs will square off again shortly, with round two set for Jan. 20 in Philadelphia.
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