Pittsburgh beat Montreal 6-5 in overtime after surrendering a four-goal lead, one of three overtime finishes across a busy October 3 NHL schedule.

Colorado opened the 2026-27 season with an 8-4 win over Los Angeles as Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen scored twice and Mackenzie Blackwood made 27 saves.

Pittsburgh opened the 2026-27 NHL season with a 7-0 win in Philadelphia as Nicholas Robertson scored twice and Arturs Silovs made 19 saves.

Jack Eichel recorded a goal and two assists as Vegas began its Western Conference title defense with a 5–2 victory over Chicago.

Paul Cotter scored his second goal 1:59 into overtime as Vancouver survived Edmonton’s third-period comeback for a 6–5 opening-night win.

Josh Anderson and Alexandre Carrier each had a goal and an assist as Montreal ended Toronto’s 10-game home-opening winning streak.

Fraser Minten broke a scoreless tie late in the third period before Boston added two more goals in a 3–0 opening-night win.

Gustav Forsling scored with 4.3 seconds left in overtime on September 29, giving Florida a 1–0 season-opening win at Carolina.

Ottawa named defenseman Thomas Chabot its 11th captain on September 29, replacing Brady Tkachuk before the Senators' October 3 opener.

A simple guide to NHL playoff qualification, wild cards, the fixed bracket, and best-of-seven series.