The Vancouver Canucks are 29-1-6 when scoring the first goal; which, conversely, means they're 6-9-3 when trailing first, which is a .333 winning percentage.
For those looking to build Daniel Sedin's MVP credentials this season, file this one away: He's scored the opening goal of the game for the Canucks 10 times this season, three better than Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning (21-6-3 when scoring first), Radim Vrbata of the Phoenix Coyotes (21-4-5) and Alex Burrows, also of the Canucks.
Some players just seem to set the tempo and grab the momentum more than others. Sure, ice time plays into it, as does God-given scoring talent. But in looking through the NHL.com stats treasure trove for first-goal scorers, you see the same names pop up annually.
Scoring the first goal of a game doesn't guarantee success; the Atlanta Thrashers are now 15-11-8 when scoring first after Monday night's loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. But it does change the dynamics of a game for both sides.
Coming up, the top first-goal scorers in each year since the lockout, and a look at some of the players who have broken the ice the most in the last several seasons.
Here are the top first-goal scorers in each year since the lockout:
2010-11
2009-10
2008-09
2007-08
2006-07
2005-06
Some random thoughts:
• In case you needed further evidence that Alex Ovechkin is having an exasperating goal-scoring season, consider that in 54 games he's scored the opening goal twice. In his previous five seasons, he opened the scoring 47 times, or an average of 9.4 times per season.
• In three seasons, Steven Stamkos has scored the first goal 20 times for the Lightning.
• Since the lockout, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins has scored the opening goal 38 times for a 6.33 first-goals per-season average. In 62 playoff games, he has eight first goals, including six during the Penguins' 2009 Cup run.
• Historic yearly leaders in this stat category: Teemu Selanne with 14 (1997-98); Keith Tkachuk with 12 (1998-99); Pavel Bure with 15 (1999-2000; a year in which he led the league in scoring).
• Again, much of this has to do with snipers sniping: Five of the top-10 players in first-goals are in the top 10 in goals scored this season; last season, it was the same ratio. But that doesn't account for your Rich Peverleys and Troy Brouwers getting in on the act.
Perhaps this is a coincidental stat in many cases. Some teams just start faster than others. Goals have to be scored at some point during a game, and these players just happen to tally them first. Take Brad Boyes: In his 43-goal season, he tallied 10 first-goals; he had four in each of the next two seasons and then three thus far this year. Big goal seasons lead to a high number of first goals.
(With some exceptions: Thomas Vanek of the Buffalo Sabres scored 40 goals in 2008-09 and had only four first-goals. By contrast, Tim Connolly scored six of his 18 goals first.)
No matter the circumstances, there's no denying that putting the first goal on the board can mean everything in a tightly played NHL. The players that are adept at doing so are, more often than not, heart-and-soul players for their teams ... and for good reason.