Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Evander Kane scored twice, as the Atlanta Thrashers took a 4-2 win over the Washington Capitals in the season opener for both squads from Philips Arena.
The game itself, though, was overshadowed by the collapse of Atlanta goaltender Ondrej Pavelec.
Just 2:25 into the game, prior to a faceoff in the Washington end, Pavelec collapsed at the other end of the ice after losing consciousness.
He lay motionless for several minutes as trainers attended to him and was eventually carted off the ice on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital where he regained consciousness.
The team announced that preliminary tests were negative and that he was awake and alert at the hospital. He will be kept overnight for observation.
Newcomers Andrew Ladd and Fredrik Modin each had a goal for the Thrashers, who finished last season 10th in the Eastern Conference with 83 points.
Chris Mason came into net after Pavelec left and stopped 29-of-31 shots for Atlanta, which won for head coach Craig Ramsay in his debut with the team.
Mike Knuble and Brooks Laich each had a goal for the Capitals, who captured the Presidents' Trophy with a 121-point season during the 2009-10 campaign, but fell to the Canadiens in the first round after blowing a 3-1 series advantage.
Michal Neuvrith was charged with all four goals on 31 shots in the loss.