Who scored the first goal in NHL history?

Dave Ritchie scored the first goal in NHL history for the Montreal Wanderers on December 19, 1917.

The goal came in the first NHL game, played at the Montreal Arena. Ritchie scored twice in that contest as the Wanderers defeated the Toronto Arenas 10–9. Harry Hyland scored five goals for Montreal, while Reg Noble scored the first goal for Toronto.

The NHL began play in December 1917 after a dispute among owners and managers in the National Hockey Association led to the creation of a new league. The original NHL included the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Arenas; the Quebec Bulldogs did not play during the first season.

Ritchie played only a short NHL schedule with the Wanderers. The club's early history was brief: the Wanderers lost their arena to a fire after four games and then withdrew from the league.