Monday, October 5, 2026
NHL opens regular season with four decisive results
The NHL's regular season began with victories for Tampa Bay, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Dallas.
The NHL dropped the puck on a new season Monday night, with four games on the schedule and no shortage of action. The Tampa Bay Lightning made a strong impression at home with a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Brayden Point, Pontus Holmberg, Ilya Mikheyev, and Brandon Hagel all found the back of the net for Tampa, while Andrei Vasilevskiy turned aside 14 of 15 shots in goal. Tyson Foerster scored the lone goal for Philadelphia.
In Boston, the Ottawa Senators controlled play and defeated the Bruins 4-1 at TD Garden. Tim Stützle scored twice in the first period, including a shorthanded effort, and added an assist on Drake Batherson's goal. Michael Amadio had a goal and an assist to help secure Ottawa's lead. For Boston, James Hagens was the only goal scorer.
The Winnipeg Jets edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on the road, with all the scoring coming after the midway point of the game. Alex Iafallo tied the game early in the third and later set up Adam Lowry's go-ahead marker. Cole Perfetti netted the winner less than a minute after Pittsburgh leveled the score. Clay Stevenson made 30 saves for Winnipeg, while Sergei Murashov stopped 31 shots for Pittsburgh.
In Dallas, Jake Oettinger earned a shutout as the Stars cruised past the San Jose Sharks 5-0. Jamie Benn had a goal and an assist, and Miro Heiskanen, Joel Kiviranta, Jason Robertson, and Mikko Rantanen all contributed goals as the Stars dominated from start to finish.
No PWHL games were on the schedule for Monday night.
NHL highlight
Flyers vs. Lightning | NHL Highlights | Oct 5, 2026
- Tampa Bay goals: Brayden Point, Pontus Holmberg, Ilya Mikheyev, Brandon Hagel.
- Philadelphia goal: Tyson Foerster.
- Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 14 saves on 15 shots.
- Philadelphia goalie Dan Vladar stopped 32 of 35 shots.
- Three stars: 1. Pontus Holmberg (TBL); 2. Ilya Mikheyev (TBL); 3. Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL).
NHL highlight
Senators vs. Bruins | NHL Highlights | Oct 5, 2026
- Ottawa goals: Tim Stützle (2), Drake Batherson, Michael Amadio.
- Boston goal: James Hagens.
- Ottawa goalies Samuel Ersson (8 saves on 9 shots) and Linus Ullmark (10 saves on 10 shots) split duties.
- Boston goalie Jeremy Swayman made 20 saves on 24 shots.
- Three stars: 1. Tim Stützle (OTT); 2. Michael Amadio (OTT); 3. Drake Batherson (OTT).
NHL highlight
Jets vs. Penguins | NHL Highlights | Oct 5, 2026
- Winnipeg goals: Alex Iafallo, Adam Lowry, Cole Perfetti.
- Pittsburgh goals: Ben Kindel, Declan Carlile.
- Winnipeg goalie Clay Stevenson made 30 saves on 32 shots.
- Pittsburgh goalie Sergei Murashov made 31 saves on 34 shots.
- Three stars: 1. Cole Perfetti (WPG); 2. Alex Iafallo (WPG); 3. Declan Carlile (PIT).
NHL highlight
Sharks vs. Stars | NHL Highlights | Oct 5, 2026
- Dallas goals: Miro Heiskanen, Joel Kiviranta, Jamie Benn, Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen.
- Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger stopped all 13 shots for the shutout.
- San Jose goalie Yaroslav Askarov made 21 saves on 26 shots.
- Three stars: 1. Jamie Benn (DAL); 2. Jake Oettinger (DAL); 3. Miro Heiskanen (DAL).
Sources: NHL scores · PWHL