LAS VEGAS

The Vegas Golden Knights’ debut on the Strip was a poignant smash.

James Neal scored twice during a thrilling four-goal first period, and the Vegas Golden Knights remained unbeaten three games into their inaugural season with a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes in their home opener on Tuesday night.

Tomas Nosek scored the first home goal in franchise history just 2:31 into the first period, and Deryk Engelland added his first goal for his adopted hometown’s new team moments later.

Marc- Andre Fleury made 31 saves for the Golden Knights, who became the first team in NHL history to begin their debut season with three straight wins.

Just nine days after the Las Vegas Strip shooting massacre, the Golden Knights reverently honored the victims and heroes before the long-awaited home debut of the city’s first major professional sports franchise.

The Knights held a pre-game ceremony during which the names of the shooting victims were projected in gold onto the ice during 58 seconds of silence. Engelland spoke eloquently to the crowd.

Predators 6, Flyers 5

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Filip Forsberg scored his second goal with 35.6 seconds left and Nashville rallied by scoring twice in the final 1:17 to beat Philadelphia.

On the night they raised their Western Conference championship banner, the Predators blew a 3-0 lead as the Flyers scored five straight goals.

But then Forsberg scored his first of the game 50 seconds after the Flyers took a 5-3 lead, and Scott Hartnell scored his second goal on a 5-on-3 with 1:17 left to tie it. When Philadelphia coach Dave Hakstol challenged for offside and lost, the Predators had the man advantage, and Forsberg scored the winning goal.

Blues 3, Rangers 1

NEW YORK (AP) — Carter Hutton made 16 of his 32 saves in the third period to help St. Louis remain unbeaten with a win over New York.

Carl Gunnarsson and Brayden Schenn scored first-period goals for the Blues, who improved to 4-0. Jaden Schwartz added an empty-netter with 1:47 left.

Trailing 2-1, the Rangers pressured an injury-depleted Blues squad in the third period, out-shooting St. Louis 16-8. New York outshot the Blues 32-23 overall but dropped to 1-3.

Blackhawks 3, Canadiens 1

MONTREAL ( AP) — Alex DeBrincat scored his first NHL goal and set up one for Artem Anisimov to help Chicago spoil Montreal’s home opener.

Brandon Saad also scored for the Blackhawks (3-0-1), who were coming off an overtime loss Monday night in Toronto. Corey Crawford made 41 saves and outplayed Montreal goalie Carey Price, who stopped 22 shots.

Blue Jackets 2, Hurricanes 1, OT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Sonny Milano scored two goals, including the game-winner on a breakaway with 31 seconds left in overtime to give Columbus a victory over Carolina.

Stars 4, Red Wings 2

DALLAS (AP) — John Klingberg and Tyler Seguin scored in the first period, and Dallas beat Detroit for its first win of the season.

Ben Bishop made 23 saves for the Stars (1-2). Mattias Janmark scored in the second period and Martin Hanzal put the puck into an empty net with 2 seconds remaining.

Senators 3, Canucks 2

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Mark Stone scored in the fifth round of a shootout and Ottawa edged Vancouver for its first victory of the season.

Kyle Turris kept the Senators alive in the third round of the shootout after Markus Granlund gave the Canucks the lead.

Cody Ceci and Ryan Dzingel scored in regulation for Ottawa (1-0-2), which got 26 saves from Craig Anderson.

Christopher Tanev and Thomas Vanek scored for the Canucks.