What happened last night that you need to know about? Joe McDonald gives us his take on the biggest and best performances. This is where we say, Morning, Joe.Avs starting strong: The defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins had a chance to start the season 3-0-0, but the Colorado Avalanche beat them 4-3 in overtime Monday night at PPG Paints Arena. Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog scored the tying goal late in the third period and then the winner in OT. Despite the absence of Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who remains sidelined with a concussion, the Penguins have been impressive in their Stanley Cup defense. However, youve got to like what were seeing from the 2-0-0 Avalanche, who missed the playoffs the past two seasons. After coach Patrick Roys surprising exit during the offseason, GM Joe Sakic hired up-and-coming AHL coach Jared Bednar for the job, a key hire. Landeskog has great puck-protection instincts and needs to keep his legs moving to be effective, which he did exactly that against the Penguins. Re-signing goalie Calvin Pickard was a good move for the Avalanche. His teammates respect him and he will push No. 1 goalie Semyon Varlamov. Joe Colborne, who scored a hat trick in his first game of the season, is versatile and he will help the teams possession game. Ultimately, the teams core players -- captain Landeskog, 23, Nathan MacKinnon, 21, and Matt Duchene, 25 -- need to set the tempo. Those players are at an age where theyre ready to lead and if they and the Avs continue like they have in the first two games, then Colorado should like its chances of returning to the postseason in April.Kreider a pain in the butt: Two summers ago, New York Rangers Chris Kreider played a charity game in Boston like it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. The game was loaded with current and former NHLers and his tenacity was on full display. That hasnt always been the case on a consistent basis during past regular seasons for Kreider. The 25-year-old forward is off to a solid start this season and hell need to continue that if the Rangers are to be successful. He has registered at least one goal and one assist in each of the Rangers first three games of 2016-17. His six points and three-game scoring streak is a career high. Even though its early in the season, Kreider has found chemistry with linemates Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich. Kreider is showing his strengths as a power forward and hes been a pain in the butt for the opposition. The Rangers are 2-1-0 after Mondays 7-4 win against the San Jose Sharks at Madison Square Garden.Vanek not done yet: Sure, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Mike Greens first career hat trick en route to a 5-1 win against the Ottawa Senators Monday night was impressive. It was the first three-goal game by a Red Wings blueliner since Nicklas Lidstrom on Dec. 15, 2010. But it wasnt Greens heroics I focused on: It was the three assists by Wings newcomer Thomas Vanek that had me smiling. After the Minnesota Wild bought out Vaneks contract during the summer, the Red Wings took a low-risk chance and signed the 32-year-old forward to a one-year deal worth $2.6 million. Vanek was signed because of his ability to produce, especially on the power play. In Detroits first three games this season, Vanek has two goals (one on the power play) and three assists for five points. If he can continue this pace for the majority of the season, it could turn into an incredible offseason transaction for the Red Wings. Adidas Shoes Clearance Store .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Cheap Adidas Shoes Free Shipping . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. http://www.cheapshoesadidas.com/ . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. Adidas Shoes From China . They hope to persuade the other team owners and commissioner Roger Goodell to put pressure on Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to drop the nickname they find offensive. "Given the way the meeting transpired," Ray Halbritter, an Oneida representative and leader of the "Change the Mascot Campaign," said Wednesday, "it became somewhat evident they were defending the continued use of the name. Adidas Shoes Sale . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. NICEVILLE, Fla. -- Ervin Mitchell made six 3-pointers and scored 36 points -- both career highs -- and Averyl Ugba had 17 points and 16 rebounds to help Grambling State beat Savannah State 110-104 on Saturday in the Emerald Coast Classic.Mitchell scored 21 points in the second half and Ugba has totaled 43 points and 36 rebounds in his last two games. Grambling State lost to UT Rio Grande 101-93 in overtime on Friday.Grambling State went on a 17-2 run to take a 70-69 lead with 14 minutes left. Savannah State tied it at 85-all but Grambling answered with four strraight points and never trailed again.ddddddddddddRemond Brown had 21 points, six assists and four steals for Grambling (2-4). Brown made four 3s as the Tigers were 13 of 31 from distance.Sophomore Dexter McClanahan was 10 of 16 from the field, including 6 of 10 from 3-point range, and scored 22 of his career-high 27 points in the first half for Savannah State (2-5). The Tigers made 17 3s. Troyce Manassa added three 3s and 21 points. ' ' '