NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 1, 2026, 7:09 AM ET
Opening Night Results
The NHL's 2026-27 season opened with a bang as the Florida Panthers spoiled the Carolina Hurricanes' banner-raising ceremony, winning 4-3 in overtime in a "playoff-style" thriller. Gustav Forsling netted the winner for the defending champions, who showed they remain the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna, made his debut for the Maple Leafs, but Toronto fell 3-2 to the Canadiens in a game that saw the rookie held off the scoresheet in his first taste of NHL action.
Rivalry Renewed
The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins renewed their Battle of Pennsylvania rivalry on opening night, with the matchup carrying extra weight as both teams look to establish early season momentum. The game featured key stat leaders from both sides, with the Penguins' top line looking to bounce back after an offseason of uncertainty.
Season Predictions
ESPN's panel of experts unveiled their full-season predictions, with the Panthers tabbed to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. The panel breaks down every team's projected finish, with the Avalanche and Panthers topping the early power rankings as the league's most pressure-filled contenders entering the season. CBS Sports' power rankings echo that sentiment, placing Colorado and Florida at the top of the opening-week list.
Coaching Carousel
The Avalanche ended all speculation about their bench, signing head coach Jared Bednar through the 2030-31 season. The extension puts to rest any questions about his future after he was set to coach on the final year of his previous deal. In Arizona, the program faces turmoil as head coach Greg Powers was placed on leave amid an inquiry into a player's workout collapse. The parents of Matthew Mayich, the player who collapsed, are demanding that all coaches be placed on leave pending the investigation.
Roster Moves
The Stars locked up backup goaltender Casey DeSmith to a two-year, $5 million extension, securing their netminding depth behind starter Jake Oettinger. Vegas re-signed franchise center William Karlsson to a two-year, $13.5 million deal, keeping the veteran playmaker in the fold for the Golden Knights' core window. The Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets completed a blockbuster swap of high-scoring wings on the eve of opening night, with Kirill Marchenko heading to Toronto and Matthew Knies going to Columbus — a deal that received mixed grades from analysts.
Injury Report
The Wild suffered a major blow as top-pair defenseman Brock Faber underwent surgery for a fractured skull. The injury leaves Minnesota's blue line thin to start the season, with no clear timeline for Faber's return. The Penguins are also dealing with uncertainty, as GM Kyle Dubas admitted he wants more clarity from Evgeni Malkin about the veteran center's future with the club.
Off the Ice
The league's netminders showed off their artistic side, with a breakdown of the most notable goalie mask designs for the 2026-27 season. From intricate airbrushing to bold color schemes, the masks have become a canvas for players' personalities. Off the ice, players also brought their fashion A-game to opening night, with the best-dressed arrivals featuring the Maple Leafs and Canadiens making statements before their head-to-head matchup.
Betting and Promos
For fans looking to get in on the action, Fan Duel is offering $250 in bonus bets for new users targeting Wednesday's slate, which includes Yankees-Red Sox and Browns-Steelers. CBS Sports' analysts also picked their best bets for the biggest games, including Cubs-Padres and the Red Sox-Yankees matchup, with odds provided by Sports Line.