Friday, October 23, 2026
NHL action on October 23, 2026
A pair of games highlighted a busy NHL night as the Canadiens cruised in Chicago and the Avalanche put on a show in Denver.
Thursday night’s NHL slate featured two games, with the Montréal Canadiens visiting the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning in Colorado to take on the Avalanche.
In Chicago, the Canadiens took control after allowing an early goal and earned a 4-1 win over the Blackhawks at United Center. Jake Evans paced Montréal with two goals—including a shorthanded marker in the second period—and added an assist for a three-point night. Kaiden Guhle and Mike Matheson supplied the other goals for the Canadiens, and rookie Jacob Fowler stopped 20 shots for the victory. Connor Bedard’s goal was all Chicago could muster past Fowler, while Spencer Knight made 24 saves for the Blackhawks.
Out in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche topped the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3 at Ball Arena behind big nights from Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. Devon Toews got things started for Colorado just 68 seconds in, and Nazem Kadri added a power-play tally before the end of the first. MacKinnon led the way offensively with a goal and three assists, securing the game’s first star. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 18 saves for Tampa Bay, while Mackenzie Blackwood countered with 31 stops for the Avs. Jake Guentzel netted two goals for the Lightning, but Colorado pulled away for the home win.
There were no PWHL games on the schedule.
NHL highlight
Canadiens vs. Blackhawks | NHL Highlights | Oct 23, 2026
- Connor Bedard scored Chicago’s only goal, assisted by Patrick Kane.
- Jake Evans scored twice for Montréal, including a shorthanded goal, with additional goals from Kaiden Guhle and Mike Matheson.
- Jacob Fowler stopped 20 of 21 shots for the win; Spencer Knight made 24 saves for Chicago.
- Three stars: 1) Jake Evans (MTL), 2) Kaiden Guhle (MTL), 3) Mike Matheson (MTL).
NHL highlight
Lightning vs. Avalanche | NHL Highlights | Oct 23, 2026
- Colorado goals: Devon Toews, Nazem Kadri (PP), Fedor Svechkov, Artturi Lehkonen, Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas.
- Tampa Bay goals: Jake Guentzel (2, one PP), Charle-Edouard D'Astous.
- Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and three assists; Martin Necas had a goal and two assists.
- Mackenzie Blackwood made 31 saves for Colorado; Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 18 for Tampa Bay.
- Three stars: 1) Nathan MacKinnon (COL), 2) Martin Necas (COL), 3) Artturi Lehkonen (COL).
Sources: NHL scores