Homegrown Newcastle star Daniel Saifiti celebrated his 100th NRL game with the first try-scoring double of his career as he led the Knights to a 32-16 victory over the Bulldogs.
It was a spectacular night for the 24-year-old prop, who earlier led the team out for the first time in his new role as co-captain in front of a roaring, sellout crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium.
"I had goosebumps running out I'm not going to lie," Saifiti said.
"I've never done that before, I've never been captain of any team.
"To choose me out of all the boys tonight was pretty special and something I don't take lightly.
"It's still pretty crazy to think about it now. The win was the cherry on top."
The NSW Origin forward was the undisputed standout of Newcastle's opening round win but victory did not come without worry for the Knights.
Backline stars Bradman Best and Kurt Mann both left the field with leg injuries, adding further pressure to an already injury-depleted side.
Five-eighth Mann is looking at a month on the sidelines after suffering a suspected MCL injury after 28 minutes.
The 28-year-old will go for scans on Saturday to diagnose the seriousness of the injury.
Teenage centre Best was taken off with 17 minutes to go with what looked to be a sprained left ankle after scoring a try off a scrum to extend the Knights' lead.
However, coach Adam O'Brien revealed the replacement was merely a precaution considering the calibre of his casualties in the backline.
Superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga will miss at least the first month of the season, while five-eighth Blake Green and winger Edrick Lee are also sidelined.
The injuries soured what was otherwise a brilliant win for the Knights, as new recruit Tyson Frizell showed great energy in a powerful performance.
Led by Saifiti and former Origin prop David Klemmer, the Knights' pack steamrolled the Bulldogs.
Trent Barrett's Canterbury coaching reign started with promising signs when discarded Roosters halfback Kyle Flanagan shot a perfect ball to right winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to score the first of his two tries four minutes in.
The try-assist started an impressive night in attack for Flanagan, but Barrett was more concerned about the poor defence and errors in yardage.
"He tackled well, he had one poor read there, but his kicking was really good," Barrett said.
"He had a hand in a couple of tries and if we can get an even share of the footy ... we scored three tries tonight, there's no reason why we can't score six.
"I'm disappointed with the errors in yardage and disappointed with the poor inside-shoulder tries against.
"But in terms of some individuals, there was a couple sprinkled in there that played OK."
For the Knights, Starford To'a and Mitch Barnett also scored, with second rower Barnett also kicking six from seven goals in Ponga's absence.