The 2026–27 NHL season is officially underway, and it took only one night for several of the league’s biggest offseason storylines to collide.
The Montreal Canadiens spoiled Gavin McKenna’s highly anticipated NHL debut with a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Toronto’s newest blockbuster acquisition, Kirill Marchenko, immediately found the scoresheet. William Nylander scored twice for Toronto while Marchenko picked up an assist less than 48 hours after being acquired from Columbus. McKenna finished his first NHL game with one shot and a minus-2 rating in 15:19.
Elsewhere, Vancouver and Edmonton produced an 11-goal thriller, Florida ruined Carolina’s Stanley Cup banner night in overtime, Jeremy Swayman shut out the Rangers, and Patrick Kane scored in his return to the Chicago Blackhawks.
For fans searching for NHL News and NHL Rumors and NHL Scores, opening night provided plenty to unpack — and some of the league’s biggest unresolved trade situations are still hanging over the season.
NHL Opening Night Scores Put Montreal, Vancouver and Vegas in Spotlight
Montreal’s 3-2 victory in Toronto immediately became one of the most interesting results of the evening.
Josh Anderson and Alexandre Carrier each produced a goal and an assist, Zachary Bolduc scored, and Jakub Dobes stopped 26 shots. William Nylander supplied both Toronto goals. Marchenko assisted on Nylander’s opening goal, giving the winger his first Maple Leafs point only hours after his arrival in Toronto.
My observation: Marchenko’s first game mattered less because of the assist and more because of how quickly Toronto placed him in an important offensive role. He had barely practised with his new teammates. Once the timing and chemistry improve, a Matthews-Marchenko combination has legitimate potential to become one of Toronto’s most dangerous offensive weapons.
The wildest game came in Edmonton.
Vancouver built a 5-2 third-period lead before Edmonton stormed back to force overtime. Paul Cotter eventually scored his second goal of the game at 1:59 of OT to give Vancouver a 6-5 victory. Evan Bouchard had an extraordinary opening night for Edmonton with a hat trick and two assists, while Vasily Podkolzin scored twice and Connor McDavid added two assists.
That result should concern Edmonton despite the comeback. Producing five goals is rarely the issue for a team built around McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Allowing repeated odd-man opportunities and six goals is a much different problem.
NHL Scores From Tuesday, September 29
NHL Scores — September 29, 2026
Opening-night results and key notes
Florida’s Gustav Forsling scored with just 4.3 seconds remaining in overtime, while Jacob Markstrom recorded a 15-save shutout. Boston scored three times in 75 seconds late in the third period and Jeremy Swayman stopped all 24 Rangers shots. Vegas received three points from Jack Eichel, while rookie Trevor Connelly scored in his NHL debut.
Marchenko Trade Already Changes Toronto’s Cap Picture
One earlier report has already proven accurate.
Sportsnet reported Monday that Toronto and Columbus were deep in discussions involving Marchenko. The deal was subsequently completed, with Toronto acquiring Marchenko, Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins for Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a 2027 second-round pick.
Marchenko currently carries a $3.85 million cap hit in 2026–27. His new six-year, $75-million extension begins in 2027–28 at $12.5 million per season, an increase of $8.65 million annually.
NHLTradeRumor.com Maple Leafs Cap Snapshot
PuckPedia currently projects Toronto with approximately $3.67 million of 2027–28 cap space with 22 of 23 roster spots filled, based on its current contract projections. That number will change with future transactions, but it illustrates why Toronto’s next round of roster decisions will matter.
NHLTradeRumor.com Trade Value Index
My model places Marchenko in the high-end core asset range rather than simply viewing him as a replacement for Knies.
NHLTradeRumor.com Trade Value Index
Marchenko scored 27 goals and 67 points in 76 games last season, while NHL EDGE analysis describes him as an elite play-driving addition to Toronto’s top six.
NHL Rumors Watch: Hellebuyck, Larkin and Nikishin Remain Unresolved
Connor Hellebuyck remains one of the league’s largest unresolved trade stories.
The Winnipeg Jets suspended the three-time Vezina Trophy winner after he failed to report to training camp. Hellebuyck publicly requested a trade in August, and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said after the suspension that Winnipeg remained focused on finding a resolution rather than rushing a deal. No new destination was publicly confirmed in the sources reviewed Wednesday.
Detroit also continues to carry uncertainty surrounding Dylan Larkin. Larkin requested a trade after last season, was removed as captain and has said the request “wasn’t easy.” Detroit ownership has publicly acknowledged that he could nevertheless remain with the Red Wings for the full season.
Carolina has another unresolved situation involving Alexander Nikishin. The restricted free-agent defenseman remained unsigned and away from the Hurricanes as recently as Monday, with GM Eric Tulsky saying the organization was trying to find a resolution.
Those are situations worth monitoring, but at this stage they remain developing stories rather than completed trades.
More NHL News: Ovechkin Ready, Bednar Extended, Faber Out
Alex Ovechkin said Wednesday that he expects to play in Washington’s season opener Friday after missing the preseason with a lower-body injury. The 41-year-old enters the season as the NHL’s all-time goals leader with 929.
Colorado also locked up coach Jared Bednar with a four-year extension through 2030–31. Bednar enters his 11th season behind the Avalanche bench after already setting the franchise record for coaching victories.
Dallas extended backup goaltender Casey DeSmith for two years and $5 million, beginning in 2027–28.
The most serious injury news involves Minnesota defenseman Brock Faber, who is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a fractured skull suffered when he was struck by a puck during a preseason game.
Buffalo, meanwhile, expects Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to start Thursday, while Chicago forward Andrew Mangiapane will miss at least two games and Islanders forward Mathew Barzal is not expected to play Wednesday in Toronto.
Wednesday’s schedule features the Islanders visiting the Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh visiting Philadelphia and Los Angeles opening against Colorado.
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