As of Saturday morning, 31 of the NHL's 32 teams have played at least one game, including some incredible feats: a goalie goal by Igor Shesterkin, the Oilers and Canucks combining for 27 goals in two games against one another, and six different goaltenders pitching a shutout.
There are 13 games on the slate for Saturday, including -- finally -- the season-opening tilt for the Ottawa Senators (and it's a doozy).
This is an occasion to break out your extra devices -- and/or use multi-view on the ESPN App -- since many of these games will be contested simultaneously. Here's what to watch in each:
Odds are provided by DraftKings and subject to change.
Chicago Blackhawks at Buffalo Sabres
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | BUF -230, O/U: 6.5
One of the biggest moments of the offseason was the predraft trade between these two clubs; the Blackhawks landed Bowen Byram (who subsequently signed a long-term contract) and Jordan Greenway, while the Sabres got the No. 4 and No. 45 picks in the draft along with Louis Crevier (who signed an extension with Buffalo this week). What will be the reaction to Byram in his first game back in Western New York?
Montreal Canadiens at Pittsburgh Penguins
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | MTL -125, O/U: 6.5
After a run to the Eastern Conference finals last season, the Canadiens are expected to take another step forward this season, led by a corps of impressive young players such as Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson. The Penguins are on the opposite end of the experience spectrum, led once again by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson. Do the wily veterans have something special in store for the youngsters?
Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | TB -155, O/U: 6.5
A throwback to the NHL's old Southeast Division for this matchup of two Eastern titans. The Lightning took one on the chin in their season opener Thursday, a 5-1 loss to the Rangers, while the Capitals will be playing 24 hours after a statement win over the Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes. Will either trend continue in this clash?
Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | TOR -130, O/U: 6.5
It's the first skirmish in the 2026-27 Battle of Ontario! The Leafs outlasted the Sens in a six-game playoff series in 2025, but Ottawa had the edge this past regular season, 3-1. With some familiar faces gone -- and fresh faces in their place -- how will each team look to set the tone in this one?
Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | CAR -130, O/U: 5.5
The 2025-26 season was a major step forward for the Flyers, as they made the playoffs and won a round against their rival Penguins. As they look to avoid regression this season, the campaign hasn't gotten off to the greatest start. The Penguins dominated all phases of the contest in a 7-0 blanking Wednesday, then the Devils gave them loss No. 2 (albeit in OT) on Thursday, outshooting Philly 44-25. Carolina remains the team to beat in the Metro Division (despite a loss to Washington on Friday), and the Canes will look to extend the tough start for the Flyers.
Utah Mammoth at Columbus Blue Jackets
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | UTA -112, O/U: 6.5
Utah's Karel Vejmelka is one of the goalies to have backstopped a shutout thus far, though he'll face a tougher challenge in this contest against a Blue Jackets team that put six goals into Buffalo's net Thursday. That included two tallies from the newest Blue Jacket, Matthew Knies, who came over in the preseason trade that sent Kirill Marchenko to Toronto. Not to be outdone, Utah's Dylan Guenther had two goals in his club's win, as he continues to build his profile as a rising star.
Seattle Kraken at Edmonton Oilers
7 p.m. ET (NHL Network) | EDM -205, O/U: 6.5
We all know that the Oilers are one of the most dynamic hockey teams in the world; based on the first two games, we now have a sense that perhaps they're also one of the most generous. A total of 13 goals have been put past Oilers goalies this season. How many can the Kraken add to that -- after scoring six against the Flames on Thursday?
New Jersey Devils at New York Islanders
7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | NJ -130, O/U: 5.5
As is tradition, local sports teams have been wishing each other good luck on social media as the NHL season dawns. But, the New York metro landscape is a little congested. That resulted in the MLS' Red Bull New York (who play in Harrison, New Jersey) wishing both the Devils and the Islanders good luck, as did the New York Jets (who play in East Rutherford, New Jersey). So in addition to the Metropolitan Division standings, is this contest also a battle for the hearts and minds of other area clubs?
Boston Bruins at Minnesota Wild
8 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | MIN -180, O/U: 6.5
No matter which way you slice it, this game is not lacking for star power. Newly minted Bruins captain David Pastrnak is electric with the puck on his stick (and has comedy chops as well, based on his commercials), while Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov has one of the best scoring touches in the world. Minnesota's Quinn Hughes is expected to be in the mix for the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman, while Boston's Charlie McAvoy presents a complete package as his team's No. 1 D-man. And in net, it's rising star Jesper Wallstedt for the Wild, with Vezina Trophy candidate Jeremy Swayman backing up the B's.
Dallas Stars at Nashville Predators
8 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | DAL -142, O/U: 5.5
Due to a bit of a salary cap crunch this offseason, the Stars traded promising young forward Mavrik Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to Nashville in exchange for picks in the 2027 and 2028 drafts. Will either of the two new Preds make them regret the decision in this one?
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche
9 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | COL -298, O/U: 6.5
Colorado's season-opening affair was a raucous one -- including 12 total goals scored and a fight between Nathan MacKinnon and Brandt Clarke. St. Louis didn't get its 2026-27 party started until Friday -- a 4-0 win over the Stars -- and now must face one of the only two teams that finished better than Dallas last season. This will be an important measuring stick for the Blues as they hope to battle their way back into a playoff spot after last season's miss.
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks
10 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | VAN -110, O/U: 6.5
For fans of a certain age who loved staying up late to watch Smythe Division scorefests in the days of yore, this matchup might be worth monitoring. The Flames allowed six goals to the Kraken on Thursday, while the Canucks relented 14 goals across two games against the Oilers. Will the two clubs tighten up, or will it be another bonanza? (We're hoping for the latter.)
Los Angeles Kings at San Jose Sharks
10 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | SJ -120, O/U: 6.5
The Battle of California is back and better than ever as all three clubs from the Golden State have a legitimate shot at a playoff position -- but might have to beat out the others to secure it. Expect some extra spice on the hits in this one.
Reminder: Fans can catch all of the action in the NHL streaming hub and on the ESPN App.
Jump ahead:
Top NHL stories
Last night's scores
NHL stats leaders
Today in hockey history
Top stories around the NHL
Here's what you need to know:
Greg Wyshynski predicts the future for all 32 teams with his full standings projections.
Dylan Larkin's trade request is still active (while he's on IR). Red Wings fans booed him at the season opener.
Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko's father died in a bear attack last week. He'll wear No. 62 to honor him.
Igor Shesterkin became the first goalie in Rangers franchise history to score a goal.
Commissioner Gary Bettman says that no-trade clauses are not being used as "originally intended."
Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov exited the Panthers' game Thursday with a lower-body injury.
Friday's scoreboard
New York Rangers 2, Detroit Red Wings 0
Washington Capitals 5, Carolina Hurricanes 2
Boston Bruins 4, Winnipeg Jets 3 (OT)
St. Louis Blues 4, Dallas Stars 0
Anaheim Ducks 4, Vegas Golden Knights 3
NHL scoring leaders
Click here for full list of stats leaders.
NHL goaltending leaders
Click here for the full list of goaltender stats.
Today in hockey history
The NHL continues to build its international footprint, including games this season in Germany and Finland.
But on Oct. 3, 1997, the league staged its first-ever regular-season game outside of North America, with the Vancouver Canucks squaring off against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim at Yoyogi Arena in Tokyo.
There's an entire NHL GameCenter box score page for you to peruse, but the most important part: The Canucks won 3-2, with goals scored by Pavel Bure, Mark Messier and Scott Walker, while Scott Young and Shawn Antoski netted tallies for the Mighty Ducks.
