{"id":22113,"date":"2026-09-30T09:49:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T09:49:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=22113"},"modified":"2026-09-30T09:49:53","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T09:49:53","slug":"nhl-opening-night-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/nhl-opening-night-recap","title":{"rendered":"NHL Opening Night Recap: All 5 Final Scores"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This <strong>NHL opening night recap<\/strong> covers every Sept. 29, 2026 result. Chaos beat control across five openers: Florida stole a 1-0 overtime win in Raleigh, Montreal spoiled Toronto\u2019s home start, Boston blanked the Rangers with a late burst, Vancouver blew a three-goal lead then rescued it in Edmonton, and Vegas opened with a 5-2 win at home. Below is your full look at the <strong>NHL scores September 29<\/strong> slate, scored goals, and what each result said about the new season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#scoreboard\">Scoreboard<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#carolina-hurricanes-vs-florida-panthers\">Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#toronto-maple-leafs-vs-montreal-canadiens\">Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#boston-bruins-vs-new-york-rangers\">Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#edmonton-oilers-vs-vancouver-canucks\">Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#vegas-golden-knights-vs-chicago-blackhawks\">Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-opening-night-told-us\">What Opening Night Told Us<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-to-watch-next\">What to Watch Next<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#fa-qs\">FAQs<\/a><ul><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Five openers, two overtime games: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/florida-panthers-6415\">Florida<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/vancouver-canucks-6394\">Vancouver<\/a> both needed extra time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/gustav-forsling-103358\">Gustav Forsling<\/a> scored the only goal in Raleigh as Florida beat the defending champions 1-0 in OT.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/william-nylander-103634\">William Nylander<\/a> scored twice, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/montreal-canadiens-15209\">Montreal<\/a> still left Scotiabank Arena with a 3-2 win.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/boston-bruins-6413\">Boston<\/a> scored three times in a 1:15 span late in the third and shut out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/new-york-rangers-6393\">Rangers<\/a> 3-0.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/evan-bouchard-103038\">Evan Bouchard<\/a> had a hat trick for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/edmonton-oilers-6391\">Edmonton<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/paul-cotter-104834\">Paul Cotter<\/a> still won it for Vancouver in OT, 6-5.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/trevor-connelly-250032\">Trevor Connelly<\/a> scored in his NHL debut as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/vegas-golden-knights-48722\">Vegas<\/a> beat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/chicago-blackhawks-6417\">Chicago<\/a> 5-2.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"scoreboard\">Scoreboard<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"577\" height=\"453\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-32.png\" alt=\"NHL opening night recap scoreboard\" class=\"wp-image-22123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-32.png 577w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-32-300x236.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/league\/nhl-366\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/league\/nhl-366\">365scores.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"carolina-hurricanes-vs-florida-panthers\">Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297278328.jpg\" alt=\"Gustav Forsling overtime winner Florida at Carolina in NHL opening night recap\" class=\"wp-image-22122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297278328.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297278328-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297278328-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Katherine Gawlik\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>September 29, 2026 | Lenovo Center<\/strong><br><strong>Final:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/florida-panthers-6415\">Florida Panthers<\/a> 1, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/carolina-hurricanes-6456\">Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> 0 (OT)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Opening Night started with a goalie duel and a late twist. Regulation produced no goals. Overtime produced one: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/gustav-forsling-103358\">Gustav Forsling<\/a> finished a play set up by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/carter-verhaeghe-103370\">Carter Verhaeghe<\/a> to give Florida the 1-0 win on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carolina had the building and the defending-champion banner night energy. Florida had the patience. The Panthers absorbed pressure, stayed organized in their own zone, and waited for one clean look after 60 scoreless minutes. That is a classic Florida road win: low event, high composure, and a defenseman deciding it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Carolina, the process will feel fine and the result will sting. A 0-0 start against a rival with Cup DNA is not a crisis, but it is an early reminder that Metropolitan points will not come easy. For Florida, stealing two points without a regulation goal sets a tone for a long trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Final Score:<\/strong> Panthers 1, Hurricanes 0 (OT)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Takeaway:<\/strong> One <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/gustav-forsling-103358\">Forsling<\/a> goal was enough for Florida to beat the Cup champs on Opening Night.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toronto-maple-leafs-vs-montreal-canadiens\">Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297271737.jpg\" alt=\"Montreal Canadiens celebrate 3-2 win over Toronto Maple Leafs\" class=\"wp-image-22124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297271737.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297271737-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297271737-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Kevin Sousa\/NHLI via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>September 29, 2026 | Scotiabank Arena<\/strong><br><strong>Final:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/montreal-canadiens-15209\">Montreal Canadiens<\/a> 3, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/toronto-maple-leafs-6424\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Toronto scored first and still lost. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/william-nylander-103634\">William Nylander<\/a> beat Montreal 48 seconds in, with help from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/morgan-rielly-103633\">Morgan Rielly<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/kirill-marchenko-120577\">Kirill Marchenko<\/a>. The building exploded. Montreal did not fold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/josh-anderson-103875\">Josh Anderson<\/a> tied it later in the first. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/zachary-bolduc-120248\">Zack Bolduc<\/a> put the Canadiens ahead in the second off a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/michael-matheson-103241\">Mike Matheson<\/a> setup. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/alexandre-carrier-103825\">Alexandre Carrier<\/a> made it 3-1 in the third. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/william-nylander-103634\">Nylander<\/a> answered again with under five minutes left, assisted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/easton-cowan-141525\">Easton Cowan<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/john-tavares-103643\">John Tavares<\/a>, but Toronto could not force overtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This was the rivalry script Leafs fans dread: early lead, slow response after Montreal\u2019s push, and a late goal that only made the final score look closer. Montreal\u2019s depth forwards and blue-line involvement decided the night. Toronto got elite finishing from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/william-nylander-103634\">Nylander<\/a> and not enough secondary push behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Final Score:<\/strong> Canadiens 3, Maple Leafs 2<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Stat:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/william-nylander-103634\">Nylander<\/a> scored both Toronto goals, and Montreal still left with the win.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"boston-bruins-vs-new-york-rangers\">Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297281573.jpg\" alt=\"Boston Bruins 3-0 shutout of New York Rangers on Opening Night\" class=\"wp-image-22127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297281573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297281573-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297281573-768x514.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Fred Kfoury III\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>September 29, 2026 | TD Garden<\/strong>bosto<br><strong>Final:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/boston-bruins-6413\">Boston Bruins<\/a> 3, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/new-york-rangers-6393\">New York Rangers<\/a> 0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For two periods, this looked like a goaltending clinic. Then Boston ended it in a hurry. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/fraser-minten-120744\">Fraser Minten<\/a> opened the scoring at 16:14 of the third, with help from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/mason-lohrei-141743\">Mason Lohrei<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/jj-peterka-103794\">JJ Peterka<\/a> made it 2-0 at 17:06 in his Bruins debut, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/elias-lindholm-103285\">Elias Lindholm<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/hampus-lindholm-103464\">Hampus Lindholm<\/a> on the helpers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/mark-kastelic-103566\">Mark Kastelic<\/a> sealed the empty-netter at 17:29, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/fraser-minten-120744\">Minten<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/marat-khusnutdinov-155410\">Marat Khusnutdinov<\/a> assisting. Three goals in 1:15. Game over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/jj-peterka-103794\">Peterka<\/a>\u2019s first night in black and gold already paid off. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/fraser-minten-120744\">Minten<\/a> set the tone and added an assist on the empty-netter. The Lindholm brothers both touched the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/jj-peterka-103794\">Peterka<\/a> goal. Structurally, Boston protected the house, waited for New York\u2019s mistakes, and cashed in once the Rangers stretched for a late equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For New York, a shutout loss on Opening Night is a cold start, not a season verdict. The Rangers generated looks and got nothing on the board. Boston\u2019s late surge turned a tight game into a statement home win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Final Score:<\/strong> Bruins 3, Rangers 0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Stat:<\/strong> Boston scored three times in a 1:15 window to finish a shutout Opening Night win.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"edmonton-oilers-vs-vancouver-canucks\">Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297283999.jpg\" alt=\"Paul Cotter overtime goal Canucks beat Oilers 6-5 Opening Night\" class=\"wp-image-22129\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297283999.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297283999-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297283999-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Leila Devlin\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>September 29, 2026 | Rogers Place<\/strong><br><strong>Final:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/vancouver-canucks-6394\">Vancouver Canucks<\/a> 6, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/edmonton-oilers-6391\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a> 5 (OT)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This was the wildest game of the night, and it belonged on Opening Night. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/paul-cotter-104834\">Paul Cotter<\/a> scored shorthanded in the first, then won it in overtime. In between, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/evan-bouchard-103038\">Evan Bouchard<\/a> ripped a hat trick and still finished on the losing side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vancouver led 5-2 early in the third after goals from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/paul-cotter-104834\">Cotter<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/marco-rossi-106063\">Marco Rossi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/jonathan-lekkerimaki-159389\">Jonathan Lekkerimaki<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/max-sasson-141462\">Max Sasson<\/a>, and a power-play finish from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/elias-pettersson-103100\">Elias Pettersson<\/a>. Edmonton answered with chaos: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/vasily-podkolzin-103127\">Vasily Podkolzin<\/a> scored twice, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/evan-bouchard-103038\">Bouchard<\/a> completed the hat trick, and the Oilers forced OT on a late power play finished by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/vasily-podkolzin-103127\">Podkolzin<\/a> with help from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/leon-draisaitl-103023\">Leon Draisaitl<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/evan-bouchard-103038\">Bouchard<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/paul-cotter-104834\">Cotter<\/a> finished it at 0:59 of overtime off a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/max-sasson-141462\">Sasson<\/a> feed. New coaches on both benches got an instant identity check. Vancouver showed jump and finish. Edmonton showed star power and a fragile third-period lead defense. The rematch in Vancouver already looks must-watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Final Score:<\/strong> Canucks 6, Oilers 5 (OT)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Takeaway:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/evan-bouchard-103038\">Bouchard<\/a>\u2019s hat trick was not enough; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/paul-cotter-104834\">Cotter<\/a> scored twice, including the OT winner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vegas-golden-knights-vs-chicago-blackhawks\">Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297820471.jpg\" alt=\"Trevor Connelly NHL debut goal Vegas Golden Knights beat Blackhawks\" class=\"wp-image-22131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297820471.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297820471-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2297820471-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by David Becker\/NHLI via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>September 29, 2026 | T-Mobile Arena<\/strong><br><strong>Final:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/vegas-golden-knights-48722\">Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> 5, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/team\/chicago-blackhawks-6417\">Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vegas looked like Vegas. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/victor-olofsson-103811\">Victor Olofsson<\/a> opened on the power play. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/trevor-connelly-250032\">Trevor Connelly<\/a> scored in his NHL debut. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/jack-eichel-103976\">Jack Eichel<\/a> added one of his own and finished with a goal and two assists. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/noah-hanifin-103264\">Noah Hanifin<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/mark-stone-103905\">Mark Stone<\/a> closed it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chicago pushed back. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/jordan-greenway-103390\">Jordan Greenway<\/a> cut the deficit in the second. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/patrick-kane-103438\">Patrick Kane<\/a> made it 3-2 early in the third on his return to the Blackhawks. Vegas answered 40 seconds later through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/noah-hanifin-103264\">Hanifin<\/a>, then <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/mark-stone-103905\">Stone<\/a> iced it late. Every time Chicago got within one, the Golden Knights restored the gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The debut goal for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/trevor-connelly-250032\">Connelly<\/a> is the highlight clip. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/jack-eichel-103976\">Eichel<\/a> line driving play is the bigger story for a Vegas team resetting after offseason roster change. Chicago got moments from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/patrick-kane-103438\">Kane<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/jordan-greenway-103390\">Greenway<\/a>, but not enough five-on-five control to steal points in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Final Score:<\/strong> Golden Knights 5, Blackhawks 2<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Stat:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/trevor-connelly-250032\">Connelly<\/a> scored in his NHL debut, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/jack-eichel-103976\">Eichel<\/a> finished with three points in the home opener.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-opening-night-told-us\">What Opening Night Told Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This <strong>NHL opening night recap<\/strong> had a clear theme: new seasons do not wait for comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Florida beat the champs without lighting up the scoreboard. Montreal handled a hostile building after falling behind in the first minute. Boston turned a scoreless game into a late blowout. Vancouver survived its own third-period collapse. Vegas announced itself with skill, youth, and a debut goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Across the five games, star power showed up in different forms: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/william-nylander-103634\">Nylander<\/a>\u2019s two goals, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/evan-bouchard-103038\">Bouchard<\/a>\u2019s hat trick, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/jack-eichel-103976\">Eichel<\/a>\u2019s three-point night, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/gustav-forsling-103358\">Forsling<\/a>\u2019s OT winner, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/paul-cotter-104834\">Cotter<\/a>\u2019s shorthanded-plus-OT double. Depth mattered too. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/josh-anderson-103875\">Anderson<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/zachary-bolduc-120248\">Bolduc<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/alexandre-carrier-103825\">Carrier<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/fraser-minten-120744\">Minten<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/mark-kastelic-103566\">Kastelic<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/max-sasson-141462\">Sasson<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/trevor-connelly-250032\">Connelly<\/a> all left fingerprints on Opening Night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-to-watch-next\">What to Watch Next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Can Carolina bounce back quickly after a scoreless home opener?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can Toronto get secondary scoring if <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/william-nylander-103634\">Nylander<\/a> is carrying the finish?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do the Bruins keep converting late-game pressure into multi-goal bursts?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can Edmonton clean up third-period structure before the rematch in Vancouver?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How fast does <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/trevor-connelly-250032\">Connelly<\/a> earn regular top-six runs in Vegas?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The standings are only one night old, but the early identity questions are already live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fa-qs\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"when-was-nhl-opening-night-2026\">When was NHL Opening Night 2026?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>NHL Opening Night for the 2026-27 season was September 29, 2026, with five regular-season games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-were-the-nhl-scores-september-29\">What were the NHL scores September 29?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Florida beat Carolina 1-0 in OT, Montreal beat Toronto 3-2, Boston beat the Rangers 3-0, Vancouver beat Edmonton 6-5 in OT, and Vegas beat Chicago 5-2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"who-scored-the-overtime-winners-on-opening-night\">Who scored the overtime winners on Opening Night?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/gustav-forsling-103358\">Gustav Forsling<\/a> scored Florida\u2019s OT winner against Carolina. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/paul-cotter-104834\">Paul Cotter<\/a> scored Vancouver\u2019s OT winner against Edmonton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"did-any-player-record-a-hat-trick-on-opening-night\">Did any player record a hat trick on Opening Night?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/evan-bouchard-103038\">Evan Bouchard<\/a> scored three goals for Edmonton in the 6-5 overtime loss to Vancouver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"which-opening-night-game-ended-in-a-shutout\">Which Opening Night game ended in a shutout?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Boston blanked the New York Rangers 3-0 at TD Garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"who-scored-in-his-nhl-debut-on-opening-night\">Who scored in his NHL debut on Opening Night?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/player\/trevor-connelly-250032\">Trevor Connelly<\/a> scored for Vegas in his NHL debut during the Golden Knights\u2019 5-2 win over Chicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-many-opening-night-games-went-to-overtime\">How many Opening Night games went to overtime?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Two of the five games needed overtime: Carolina-Florida and Edmonton-Vancouver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"where-can-i-follow-more-nhl-scores-after-opening-night\">Where can I follow more NHL scores after Opening Night?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Track live NHL scores, standings, and upcoming fixtures on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/hockey\/league\/nhl-366\">365Scores NHL<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This NHL opening night recap covers every Sept. 29, 2026 result. Chaos beat control across five openers: Florida stole a 1-0 overtime win in Raleigh, Montreal spoiled Toronto\u2019s home start, Boston blanked the Rangers with a late burst, Vancouver blew a three-goal lead then rescued it in Edmonton, and Vegas opened with a 5-2 win &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":22121,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"NHL Opening Night Recap: All 5 Final Scores","rank_math_description":"NHL opening night recap for Sept. 29, 2026: Panthers OT win, Canadiens spoil Toronto, Bruins blank Rangers, Canucks stun Oilers, Vegas rolls.","rank_math_canonical_url":"","rank_math_focus_keyword":"NHL opening night recap,NHL","rank_math_facebook_image":"","rank_math_robots":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[232,231],"tags":[5669,1582,226,5675],"content-tags":[],"article_type":[3332],"entity_type":[3334],"inspiration":[3340],"class_list":["post-22113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl","category-hockey","tag-2026-27","tag-hockey","tag-nhl","tag-opening-night","article_type-seo","entity_type-competition","inspiration-relevancy-trending"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22113"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22113\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22146,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22113\/revisions\/22146"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22113"},{"taxonomy":"content-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-tags?post=22113"},{"taxonomy":"article_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_type?post=22113"},{"taxonomy":"entity_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity_type?post=22113"},{"taxonomy":"inspiration","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/inspiration?post=22113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}