Tuesday, September 29, 2026
NHL regular season gets underway with five games, Canucks outlast Oilers in overtime thriller
The NHL's opening night featured close finishes and some high drama, including an overtime win for Vancouver in Edmonton.
The NHL regular season opened with five games across North America on Tuesday night, highlighted by a wild overtime finish in Edmonton as the Vancouver Canucks edged the Oilers 6-5. Several marquee matchups went down to the wire, while a goaltending duel in Raleigh ended with points for Florida and Jacob Markstrom's shutout.
In Edmonton, the Canucks needed overtime to escape after Paul Cotter scored twice, including the winner at 1:59 of the extra frame. Evan Bouchard put up a five-point night for the Oilers, with a hat trick and two assists, but Vancouver’s balanced attack and some timely stops by Kevin Lankinen (32 saves) proved the difference.
Florida spoiled the party in Raleigh with a 1-0 overtime victory against the Hurricanes. Gustav Forsling netted the winner with just five seconds left in overtime, while Jacob Markstrom turned aside all 15 Carolina shots for the shutout. Brandon Bussi stopped 19 of 20 for the Hurricanes.
In Toronto, Montréal secured a 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs as Alexandre Carrier added a goal and an assist and Josh Anderson also chipped in two points. William Nylander scored both Toronto goals in a losing effort. Jakub Dobes made 26 saves for the Canadiens.
A late burst powered Boston to a 3-0 shutout of the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Jeremy Swayman stopped all 24 shots for the Bruins’ clean sheet, and goals by Fraser Minten, JJ Peterka, and Mark Kastelic all came in a rapid three-minute span in the third period.
Vegas capped the evening with a 5-2 win over Chicago at T-Mobile Arena, powered by goals from Victor Olofsson, Trevor Connelly, Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin and Mark Stone. Jack Eichel led all skaters with three points while Carter Hart made 24 saves for the Golden Knights.
- Gustav Forsling scored the overtime winner at 4:55 (assisted by Carter Verhaeghe).
- Jacob Markstrom stopped all 15 shots for Florida.
- Brandon Bussi made 19 saves on 20 shots for Carolina.
- Three stars: 1. Gustav Forsling (FLA) 2. Jacob Markstrom (FLA) 3. Brandon Bussi (CAR)
- William Nylander scored twice for Toronto; Josh Anderson, Zachary Bolduc, and Alexandre Carrier had goals for Montréal.
- Jakub Dobes made 26 saves for the Canadiens.
- Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 21 of 24 shots for Toronto.
- Three stars: 1. Alexandre Carrier (MTL) 2. William Nylander (TOR) 3. Josh Anderson (MTL)
- Fraser Minten, JJ Peterka, and Mark Kastelic scored for Boston—all in the final minutes.
- Jeremy Swayman made 24 saves for the shutout.
- Igor Shesterkin stopped 20 of 22 for the Rangers.
- Three stars: 1. Jeremy Swayman (BOS) 2. Fraser Minten (BOS) 3. JJ Peterka (BOS)
- Paul Cotter scored twice for Vancouver, including the overtime winner at 1:59.
- Evan Bouchard recorded a hat trick and two assists for Edmonton.
- Vasily Podkolzin scored twice for Edmonton.
- Kevin Lankinen made 32 saves for Vancouver; Tristan Jarry stopped 17 of 23 for Edmonton.
- Three stars: 1. Evan Bouchard (EDM) 2. Paul Cotter (VAN) 3. Vasily Podkolzin (EDM)
- Victor Olofsson, Trevor Connelly, Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin, and Mark Stone scored for Vegas.
- Jack Eichel picked up three points (1 goal, 2 assists).
- Carter Hart made 24 saves for Vegas; Spencer Knight stopped 32 of 36 for Chicago.
- Three stars: 1. Trevor Connelly (VGK) 2. Jack Eichel (VGK) 3. Noah Hanifin (VGK)
Sources: NHL scores