Sep 29, 2026 9:00 PM
Updated Sep 30, 2026 5:53 AM
Tune in for live updates throughout the NHL's five-game slate on opening night of the 2026-27 season.
After a long and eventful summer, hockey is officially back.
Welcome to The Hockey News' opening night live blog for the 2026-27 NHL season, where we'll be providing all the latest news from Tuesday's five-game slate to kick off what should be an incredible year on the ice.
Check in for all the most important updates from around the league throughout the evening to keep you in the know.
Forsling Spoils Hurricanes' Banner Night With Late Overtime Winner
The first puck drop of the regular season took place in Raleigh, where the host Carolina Hurricanes paraded earlier this year after capturing the franchise's second Cup championship.
They take on a Florida Panthers team looking for a huge bounce-back, with reinforcements in the form of former Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk and a healthy Alexander Barkov.
Banner Night For Hurricanes
- After the team was introduced, Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal took a lap at Lenovo Center with the Stanley Cup to the reception of cheers from the home crowd before the championship banner was officially raised.
First Tilt Of The Season (CAR 0, FLA 0)
- Amid a quite first period for both sides, sparks began to fly when Hurricanes enforcer Nic Deslauriers laid a thunderous hit on Lars Eller. Panthers journeyman Bokondji Imama initiated a scrap with Deslauriers in response to the collision, and both players were ushered to the penalty box in the final minutes of the opening frame.
Defensive Standoff (CAR 0, FLA 0)
- There were seven penalties called through the first 10 minutes of the second period, with no goals to show for it on either side. The Hurricanes' unit operated at 91 percent during last year's playoffs and looks like they haven't missed a beat, while the Panthers finished ninth in the regular season (81 percent) on the penalty kill last year and have held the Cup champs in check so far.
Goaltending Duel (CAR 0, FLA 0)
- There were no goals through the opening 40 minutes of play, with Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi stopping 14 shots while Jacob Markstrom has stopped all 10 shots he's faced. Bussi is looking to build off his incredible first season that led to an eventual Cup victory, while Markstrom is looking to return to form after an underwhelming last season with the New Jersey Devils.
Overtime Awaits (CAR 0, FLA 0)
- After 60 minutes and no goals, we head to overtime in Raleigh. The Hurricanes went 9-3 in overtime last season while the Panthers went 3-2.
Gustav Forsling Seals It For The Panthers (CAR 0, FLA 1 FINAL)
- Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling hammers a one-timer from distance and sneaks it over the shoulder of Bussi for the overtime winner with less than five seconds left in the frame.
- Markstrom secures a 15-save shutout in his return to the Panthers organization
Canadiens' Dobes Stands Tall To Hold Off Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are welcoming many new players to the lineup on opening night in hopes of rebounding after a disastrous season. That list includes first-overall pick Gavin McKenna, defenseman Darren Raddysh, an entirely new bottom-six, and newly-acquired sniper Kirill Marchenko.
Looking to spoil the party at Scotiabank Arena are the Montreal Canadiens, who are coming off an Eastern Conference Final appearance and boast one of the most dynamic young rosters in the NHL.
Scouting Season
- The Hockey News' Karine Hains was quick to point out that there are plenty of scouts in attendance for the Maple Leafs' matchup against the Canadiens. With GM John Chayka making a ton of pivotal moves this summer, could more be coming? Or, after a quiet off-season for GM Kent Hughes, could the Canadiens be getting in on the trade action?
Marchenko Mania In Leaf Land
- After questions surrounding Marchenko's availability for the Maple Leafs' opening night, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman confirmed that the 26-year-old has gone through the necessary immigration processes to sort out his work visa.
McKenna's Rookie Lap... Featuring Bobrovsky?
- As is tradition for every rookie in their first NHL appearance, Gavin McKenna took a solo skate around the Maple Leafs' offensive zone. But new netminder Sergei Bobrovsky beat him to the ice first, in what was a hilarious turn of events in anticipation of the 18-year-old's solo moment.
Willy Styles Breaks The Ice (TOR 1, MTL 0)
- The first goal of the 2026-27 NHL season belongs to William Nylander of the Maple Leafs, who rifled a short-side shot past Canadiens netminder Jakub Dobes just 48 seconds into the first period. Marchenko picked up his first point as a Maple Leaf with an assist on the play.
Jake McCabe Exits With Injury (TOR 1, MTL 0)
- Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe has exited after a collision along the boards in his defensive zone.
- McCabe returned to start the second period
Josh Anderson Evens Things Up (TOR 1, MTL 1)
- Canadiens forward Josh Anderson answered quickly with a goal batted out of mid air, pouncing on a rebound after Kirby Dach forced a turnover and fed defenseman Alexandre Carrier for a point shot.
Bolduc Gives Canadiens The Lead (TOR 1, MTL 2)
- Less than five minutes into the second period, Canadiens blueliner Mike Matheson drove the puck along the offensive zone wall towards the net-front area, losing control of it and creating traffic in front of Bobrovsky. Forward Zachary Bolduc pounced on the loose puck and snuck it bast the netminder to give the Habs a 2-1 lead.
Carrier Beats Bobrovsky (TOR 1, MTL 3)
- Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier picks up an errand pass from McKenna at the point and sifts a long-distance shot through multiple layers that beats Bobrovsky over the glove, extending his team's lead.
Nylander Strikes Again (TOR 2, MTL 3)
- William Nylander responds quickly with his second goal of the game after a slick exchange of passes with Easton Cowan to pull the Maple Leafs within a goal.
Dobes Stands Stall (TOR 2, MTL 3 FINAL)
- Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes finishes with 25 saves and fends off the Maple Leafs despite a late-game push, securing a 3-2 victory.
Bruins' Late Flurry Of Goals Help Swayman Earn Shutout Win
With some significant roster turnover throughout the off-season, the New York Rangers are looking to build a new identity. Former Vegas Golden Knights goal-scoring specialist Pavel Dorofeyev highlights an intriguing list of additions for the Blueshirts, and he'll try to live up to his new seven-year, $77-million contract.
Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins have a handful of interesting storylines following them on opening night. New acquisition JJ Peterka is projected to skate on the top line alongside David Pastrnak, rookie James Hagens will begin what could be the start of a Calder Trophy campaign, and Fraser Minten will look to showcase his off-season work for the first time after signing a massive seven-year, $50.4-million extension.
Pastrnak Rocks The 'C'
- David Pastrnak was named the 28th captain in Bruins history earlier this week and received a warm welcome from the TD Garden crowd when he entered the ice for the first time ahead of puck drop.
Swayman vs. Shesterkin (BOS 0, NYR 0)
- Two of the highest-paid netminders are going head-to-head in this matchup and they haven't disappointed so far. Shesterkin has stopped all 14 shots he's faced through the first 35 minutes and Swayman has also blanked the Rangers with 11 saves.
- It's now the first time the last 33 matchups between these two teams that it has been scoreless after 40 minutes.
Minten Opens The Scoring (BOS 1, NYR 0)
- Minten capitalizes on a neutral zone turnover by the Rangers and quickly catches a pass across the opposing blueline before wiring a wicked wrist shot over the blocker of Shesterkin, giving the Bruins the first goal of the game.
Peterka Dazzles With Highlight-Reel Goal In Final Minutes (BOS 2, NYR 0)
- JJ Peterka showed off some incredible hands on his first goal as a Bruin, dangling past Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider before firing a shot between the legs of Shesterkin to extend his team's lead.
Mark Kastelic Seals The Victory (BOS 3, NYR 0 FINAL)
- Kastelic's empty-net goal gave the Bruins 3 in under two minutes, securing a 24-save shutout win for Jeremy Swayman.
Cotter's Two-Goal Canucks Debut Thwarts Oilers' Comeback
Game 1 of the 2026-27 season for the Edmonton Oilers marks the beginning of Connor McDavid's two-year extension, and Mike Babcock's return to the NHL. Babcock is entering a high-pressure environment with championship expectations, and the microscope will be honed in on every move he — and GM Stan Bowman — makes as this organization enters a pivotal moment in its competitive trajectory.
On the other side of this opening night matchup are the Vancouver Canucks, who are heading in a drastically different direction than the Oilers, will also have a new bench boss at the helm in Manny Malhotra.
Leading a young squad with little-to-no competitive aspirations can be difficult, but there are important developmental steps that he’ll need to work towards with the team’s foundational pieces of the future like Zeev Buium and Marco Rossi.
Canucks Name New Alternate Captains
- Ahead of their first game, the Canucks announced that Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, Filip Hronek, Drew O'Connor, Linus Karlsson and Zeev Buium will be the team's alternate Captains for the 2026-27 season.
- Boeser, Pettersson and Buium will wear letters at home, while O'Connor, Karlsson and Hronek will wear them on the road.
Formenton Skates With McDavid
- The Oilers released their opening lineup ahead of puck drop, with Alex Formenton shockingly slotted on the team's top line alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman. Formenton signed a one-year deal with the Oilers on Sept. 9 after spending the last three seasons playing in Switzerland's top professional league.
Cotter Short-Handed Snipe (EDM 0, VAN 1)
- After a sequence of huge saves from goaltender Kevin Lankinen to thwart the Oilers power play, new acquisition Paul Cotter gets sprung for an odd-man rush and roofs a short-handed goal past Tristan Jarry for the Canucks' first goal of the season.
Bouchard Wrister Evens Things Up (EDM 1, VAN 1)
- Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard walks the offensive blueline and throws a long-range shot on net that slips past Lankinen to even things up late in the first period. Bouchard led all defensemen in points last season (95) and finished fifth in goals among blueliners (21).
Rossi Buries Breakaway Beauty (EDM 1, VAN 2)
- Liam Ohgren picks up a puck along the wall in his own zone and hits Rossi with a perfect breakout pass, springing him for a breakaway and sneaking a shot past Jarry to reclaim the lead early in the second period. Rossi and Ohgren were both teammates on the Minnesota Wild before being traded to the Canucks in the Quinn Hughes blockbuster.
Bouchard Doubles Down (EDM 2, VAN 2)
- A broken play allowed for the Oilers to have an odd-man rush led by McDavid, who showed off great patience and hands to feed a backhand pass to Bouchard for an easy finish in tight, giving the blueliner his second goal of the night.
Lekkerimaki Reclaims The Lead (EDM 2, VAN 3)
- A first-round pick from 2022, Lekkerimaki gained speed on the rush and slipped a shot between the legs of Tristan Jarry to give the Canucks the lead once again. The Swedish winger potted 13 goals and 20 points in 21 AHL games with the Abbotsford Canucks last season.
Sasson Extends It For Vancouver (EDM 2, VAN 4)
- Drew O'Connor managed to find a passing lane to hit Max Sasson as he snuck by the Oilers defense, with Sasson showing off some nifty hands to put a backhand shot between Jarry's legs.
Elias Pettersson (The Forward) Keeps Things Rolling (EDM 2, VAN 5)
- Filip Hronek fired a low pass that was re-directed by Elias Pettersson past Jarry to give the Canucks three goals in 5:15 to start the third period. This was Pettersson's first goal since March 17.
Podkolzin Starts The Comeback (EDM 3, VAN 5)
- Bouchard picks up his third point of the night with an assist on this goal, hitting Podkolzin on the doorstep to pull the Oilers within two goals. The 25-year-old winger is coming off a career-best 19-goal, 37-point season in Edmonton.
Bouchard Secures The Hat Trick (EDM 4, VAN 5)
- Evan Bouchard becomes the first defenseman to score a hat trick in a NHL season opener since Mark Howe in 1980, doing so on a seeing-eye shot that finds its way through a crowded net-front area and behind Lankinen, pulling the Oilers within a goal.
Podkolzin's Late-Game Heroics Evens Things Up (EDM 5, VAN 5)
- On what looked like a botched zone entry between Bouchard and Leon Draisaitl, the German superstar managed to make a cross-ice, no-look pass to Podkolzin, who rifled a top-shelf goal to tie the game with 42 seconds left in the third.
Cotter Gets The Last Laugh (EDM 5, VAN 6 FINAL)
- Cotter hounded Oilers defenseman Connor Murphy and tracked him down to cause a turnover in overtime, getting rewarded with a wide-open look in front and tucking a backhand shot past Jarry to secure the victory.
Eichel Reaches 700 Career Points As Golden Knights Ease Past Blackhawks
Despite Connor Bedard being out of the lineup to start the season, there's still a few exciting storylines to look out for in the Chicago Blackhawks' first game of the season.
Bowen Byram makes his regular-season debut after a massive trade and a big-ticket extension, Roman Kantserov and Anton Frondell will look to make strong first impressions at the start of their rookie seasons, and Patrick Kane will suit up as a Blackhawk for the first time since the 2022-23 season.
Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights are coming off a Cup Final appearance and had an unusually quiet summer. It's fair to say not much needs to change for the Golden Knights, but finding a way to replace Dorofeyev's 37 goals from last season will be difficult. Tuesday's contest is the first chance to see who will emerge as a potential candidate to help in that department.
Trevor Connelly's NHL Debut
- McKenna wasn't the only rookie who got the rookie lap at his home rink on Tuesday, as Golden Knights prospect Trevor Connelly made his NHL debut at T-Mobile Arena. Connelly was a first-round pick from 2024 and put up 14 goals and 49 points in 46 games with the AHL-affiliated Henderson Silver Knights last season.
Victor Olofsson Picks The Corner (VGK 1, CHI 0)
- Olofsson catches a pass on the rush from Jack Eichel and places a perfect shot over the glove of Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight to give the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead. Olofsson is in his second stint with the Golden Knights after signing a one-year contract on July 2, and he was previously teammates with Eichel on the Buffalo Sabres
Trevor Connelly's First Career Goal (VGK 2, CHI 0)
- Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb fired point shot that was tipped on goal and later stuffed in by Connelly, who picked up his first career goal in his first game.
Jordan Greenway Breaks Through (VGK 2, CHI 1)
- Greenway, who was part of the blockbuster trade that sent him and Bowen Byram to the Blackhawks from the Buffalo Sabres, ripped a curl-and-drag wrister that finally managed to beat Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart.
Eichel Reaches 700 Points (VGK 3, CHI 1)
- Ivan Barbashev battles hard behind the Blackhawks' net to maintain possession of the puck and sneak a pass in tight to Jack Eichel in front for a tap-in finish. With this goal being his second point of the night, Eichel reached 700 career points, doing so in 690 games.
'Showtime' Cuts The Lead To Deficit To One (VGK 3, CHI 2)
- Patrick Kane turned back the clock with a tremendous breakaway goal, speeding past the Golden Knights' defense to track down a loose puck before showing off some sweet stickhandling to bet Carter Hart. The 37-year-old finished with 16 goals and 57 points in 67 games with the Detroit Red Wings last season.
Hanifin Answers Right Back (VGK 4, CHI 2)
- Less than a minute later, Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin jumped in the rush after a defensive miscue from the Blackhawks and had a wide open look on Spencer Knight, making good on his chance in tight.
Stone's Empty Netter Seals The Golden Knights' Win (VGK 5, CHI 2 FINAL)
- The Golden Knights start of the season with a win. Eichel led the way with three points (1G 2A) and Ivan Barbashev dished out two assists.
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