The 2026-27 NHL season opened on September 29 with a five-game slate and has been rolling through its first week with compelling matchups across the league. From the St. Louis Blues edging the Dallas Stars, to the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings renewing their Original Six rivalry, the opening week has delivered the kind of drama that hockey fans wait seven months for.
Opening Week Key Results
### Blues vs Stars: St. Louis Wins in Dallas
Mason McTavish gave the Blues a 1-0 lead just 1:34 into the game, and the Blues never looked back. The Stars pushed back in the second and third periods, but the Blues penalty kill and goaltending held firm.
| --- | --- | --- |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Blues | W | McTavish early goal; penalty kill locked down |
| Dallas Stars | L | Pushed offensively but could not solve Blues defensively |
The game also featured a notable fight between Jake Neighbors of the Blues and a Stars player, adding to the physical intensity of the opener. Matthew Shane was placed on LTIR earlier in the week, and his absence was felt on the Stars blue line.
The New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings faced off in another opening week matchup, continuing one of hockey most storied rivalries. The Rangers, coming off a strong 2025-26 campaign, looked to assert themselves early in the new season, while the Red Wings aimed to show that their roster improvements can translate to results.
After the opening week of the 2026-27 season, the early standings are taking shape:
| Team | Record | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Panthers | Strong start | Defending champions looking sharp |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Competitive | Home opener provided early test |
| Boston Bruins | Solid | Original Six intensity on display |
| Detroit Red Wings | Building | Roster improvements being tested |
| Montreal Canadiens | Developing | Youth movement continuing |
| Buffalo Sabres | Seeking consistency | Looking for early momentum |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Veteran presence | Always dangerous in October |
### Western Conference — Central Division
| --- | --- | --- |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Stars | Looking to respond | Opening loss to Blues adds urgency |
| St. Louis Blues | Early momentum | Statement win in Dallas |
| Winnipeg Jets | Building | Heritage Classic preparation underway |
| Colorado Avalanche | Contender | Always a factor in the Central |
| Minnesota Wild | Competitive | Looking to climb standings |
| Nashville Predators | Transition | Roster adjustments ongoing |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Youth emerging | Bedard era expectations rising |
The 84-Game Schedule: Early Impact
The 2026-27 season features the expanded 84-game schedule (up from 82), and the opening week gave fans a first look at how the additional games affect pacing and roster management.
- **Earlier start** — The season moved from its traditional October opening to late September to accommodate the extra games.
- **Player workload** — Two additional games add to the physical toll, and teams are already monitoring rest and roster rotation more carefully in the opening week.
Heritage Classic: Jets vs Canadiens on October 25
One of the marquee events of the early season takes place on October 25, when the Winnipeg Jets host the Montreal Canadiens in the Heritage Classic at Princess Auto Stadium. The outdoor game connects two of Canada most passionate fan bases and celebrates hockey roots.
Hockey Hall of Fame: November 9 Induction
The 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame class is one of the most decorated in recent memory:
- **Carey Price** — Franchise goaltender for the Canadiens, peak seasons among the best ever
- **Pekka Rinne** — Predators legend who carried Nashville to its first Stanley Cup Final
- **Keith Tkachuk** — Power forward with over 500 career goals
- **Cindy Curley** — Women hockey pioneer and trailblazer
- **Brian Burke** — Longtime executive and builder of championship teams
The induction ceremony on November 9 will be a celebration of hockey excellence.
As the opening week concludes, several storylines will dominate the opening month:
- **Panthers title defense** — Florida opened with championship banners raised and a roster built to contend again.
- **Blackhawks emergence** — Chicago young core, led by Connor Bedard, is entering the phase where expectations shift from development to results.
- **Blues early momentum** — The opening win in Dallas could be a springboard for a St. Louis team looking to return to playoff contention.
Opening week in the NHL is a feeling-out process. The standings in October rarely predict the standings in April, but the habits formed in the first two weeks often determine whether a team is playing into June or watching from afar.
How to Follow the 2026-27 NHL Season
National coverage is split between ESPN and TNT, with NHL Network providing daily highlights and analysis. The 84-game regular season runs through mid-April, with the Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning in the third week of April and the Stanley Cup Final scheduled for June.
