NHL 2025-26

[InThe313]

It has been a fun summer but our first look at the hockey season starts today.  The first puck drop is tonight in Dallas, so I am opening up this space for all to post news and notes from the ice.  Of course, all I ask is that you follow the rules and be respectful.

[InThe313]

How exciting, hockey is back today!  There’s three games, including a banner ceremony, today.  Enjoy the action.  Here’s the Opening Day schedule:

Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers today at 5 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers tonight at 8 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings tonight at 10:30 p.m.

[InThe313]

It is showtime!  The NHL is back!  The Blackhawks are playing the Panthers right now.  The Penguins are playing the Rangers at 8 p.m.  The Avalanche are playing the Kings at 10:30 p.m.  Updates to come.

The Panthers beat the Blackhawks, 3-2.
The Penguins beat the Rangers, 3-0.
The Avalanche beat the Kings, 4-1.

[InThe313]

I miss old-time hockey.  The Capitals’ Nic Dowd ran over the Hurricanes’ Frederik Andersen, sparking multiple brawls.  Updates to come.

The Capitals beat the Hurricanes, 4-1.

[InThe313]

Who needs to use the pillows when you have fists?  There was a goalie fight as the Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky skated across the ice and dropped the gloves with the Sharks’ Alex Nedeljkovic in a 4-1 Sharks win.

[InThe313]

What could be more fun than an outdoor brawl?  Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman and Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy dropped the gloves yesterday during the outdoor Stadium Series matchup.

[InThe313]

That is one way to ruin your chance of being the top pick in the draft.  Per court documents, Penn State left wing and top NHL prospect Gavin McKenna was charged with felony aggravated assault and other counts in State College, Pa.

[InThe313]

The eyes of the world are watching this game.  Canada is playing the United States, who are looking to win their first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  This is anybody’s game.  Canada and the United States are tied, 1-1, midway through the third period of the men’s hockey gold medal game.

UPDATE 2:  Buy three periods, get the fourth for free.  Canada and the United States are tied, 1-1, heading into overtime in the men’s hockey gold medal game.

UPDATE 3:  What a thriller this morning in Milan!  The United States got a 2–1 overtime win against Canada and their first gold medal in men’s Olympic hockey since 1980.  Devils center Jack Hughes got free in overtime and beat Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington to spark a gold medal celebration for Team USA.

[InThe313]

I think this was the best way to go about this.  Devils center Jack Hughes and Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes commended the United States women’s hockey team and addressed the backlash from Donald Trump’s comments, saying, “People are so negative” and “everyone is giving us backlash.”

[InThe313]

I cannot say I blame him.  The Senators’ Brady Tkachuk is miffed over an AI-doctored White House video he called “fake” in which he appeared to profanely disparage Canada.  Updates to come.

The Senators lost to the Red Wings, 2-1, in overtime.  (What a thriller tonight in Ottawa!)

[InThe313]

This is a terrible loss.  NHL reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children died in a house fire.

[InThe313]

The second season is on.  The Stanley Cup playoffs began.  The Senators are playing the Hurricanes right now.  The Wild will play the Central rival Stars today at 5:30 p.m.  The Flyers will play the Metropolitan rival Penguins tonight at 8 p.m.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  Can you tell the postseason is here?  Captains Brady Tkachuk of the Senators and Jordan Staal of the Hurricanes immediately dropped the gloves on the opening faceoff.

The Hurricanes beat the Senators, 2-0.
The Wild beat the Stars, 6-1.
The Flyers beat the Penguins, 3-2.

[InThe313]

This is one of those situations where you pray everybody is healthy.  The Kings’ head coach was showered with glass after a panel shattered during a celebration of the Avalanche’s penalty save.  Updates to come.

The Avalanche beat the Kings, 2-1, in overtime.  (What a thriller tonight in Denver!)

[InThe313]

I love when bad blood from a rivalry spills into the postseason.  There was a melee around the net as the Penguins’ Bryan Rust and the Flyers’ Travis Konency got into it, resulting in 11 penalties.  Updates to come.

The Flyers beat the Penguins, 5-2.

[InThe313]

What a thriller tonight in Montreal!  The Canadiens’ Phillip Danault was bloodied after a melee erupted during a 3-2 overtime win over the Atlantic rival Lightning.