The second week of the 2026-27 NHL regular season brings the league’s familiar marquee names back under the lights, from another Sidney Crosby-Alex Ovechkin chapter in Washington to Gavin McKenna’s first trip into Colorado with a remade Toronto Maple Leafs roster. There is also plenty to track beyond the headliners: new goalie tandems, early defensive leaks, home openers and a San Jose club trying to turn overtime wins into a real climb.
Rivalries, returns and early tests
The week’s first national window arrives Tuesday, Oct. 6, when the New York Islanders visit the New York Rangers at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and SN+. The Islanders shook off a 2-1 opening-night loss in Toronto by blanking New Jersey 6-0 in their home opener Saturday. Ilya Sorokin handled the shutout, while rookie Victor Eklund scored his first NHL goal. Matthew Schaefer is entering his second season with considerable expectations, and the Islanders’ ability to get production deeper in the lineup could determine whether they stay in the race.
The Rangers are still fitting several newcomers into the mix, but Pavel Dorofeyev, Eeli Tolvanen and Sean Durzi have already joined the goal column. Igor Shesterkin has added an unusual early highlight of his own, becoming part of the scoring story from the crease.
Later Tuesday, the Florida Panthers meet the Los Angeles Kings at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN and SN+. Florida’s plans took a major hit when captain Aleksander Barkov suffered another injury two games into the campaign. He is expected to miss at least 10 games. Brad Marchand returned Sunday against Anaheim after sitting out the opening two games, giving the Panthers another experienced option up front as they adjust to the loss. The crease is new territory, too, with Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid replacing Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov after both departed in the offseason.
Los Angeles is still looking for its first win after allowing 13 goals while scoring eight over its opening two outings. Seven Kings have found the net, but coach Peter Laviolette will want a much tighter game before a difficult stretch that continues against Vegas and Edmonton.
Wednesday’s Pittsburgh-Washington matchup, set for 7:30 p.m. ET on HBO Max and TNT, remains appointment viewing even after two decades of Crosby and Ovechkin meetings. Pittsburgh enters the week on a two-game winning streak with 13 goals. Crosby has supplied two assists but is seeking his first goal, while Evgeni Malkin has opened with two goals and two assists.
Washington split its weekend results, overpowering defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina 5-2 Friday before dropping a 3-1 decision in Tampa Bay on Saturday. Ovechkin is also without a goal so far. Alex Tuch, acquired and then signed to an eight-year contract during the offseason, scored twice in Washington’s opener and is expected to carry a major offensive load.
Thursday’s San Jose-St. Louis game at 8 p.m. ET, available on Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and SN+, puts two potential risers in the same building. The Sharks have started 2-0, winning both games in overtime, a sharp departure from recent October struggles. San Jose began last season 0-6, the season before 0-9, and the year before that 0-11. Macklin Celebrini remains the centerpiece and should be in the conversation for both goals and points throughout the season, while the additions of veteran defensemen Jacob Trouba and Darnell Nurse bring playoff experience to the blue line.
St. Louis returns home after opening with three straight road games. The Blues will have to manage their net carefully between Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer, while Mason McTavish, acquired at the NHL Draft, is positioned as a key center. In the demanding Central Division, an early stumble can become difficult to erase.
Toronto’s new look meets Colorado’s firepower
The Saturday spotlight shifts to Denver, where Toronto visits Colorado at 7 p.m. ET on NHL Network, ALT, SNP, SNW and SNO. McKenna, selected first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, enters the week still searching for his first NHL point. The Maple Leafs are hoping the rookie can help energize a club coming off a season that ended outside the playoffs.
He joins a roster with no shortage of fresh faces. Bobrovsky is now in Toronto’s crease, while Nick Paul, Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Brandon Duhaime and Teddy Blueger have arrived among the forwards. Darren Raddysh and Emil Andrae are new on defense. It is a substantial group to integrate early in the schedule.
Colorado has started with 14 goals in two games, with four players recording at least two points. That scoring spread is the sort of support that keeps the Avalanche from leaning exclusively on Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Colorado again looks built to contend for the Cup and to spend much of the season near the top of the standings.
Other nationally televised games during the week include Philadelphia at Tampa Bay on Monday at 7 p.m. ET, airing on The Spot, NHL Network and NBCSP. On Wednesday, Colorado travels to Winnipeg for a 7:30 p.m. ET game on Prime and ALT. The Rangers visit Washington on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, with MNMT, NHL Network and MSG carrying the game.
Saturday’s additional schedule has Philadelphia at Boston at 1 p.m. ET on NHL Network, NBCSP, NESN, SNW, SNO, SNE and TVA Sports; Detroit at Montreal at 7 p.m. ET on TVA Sports, SNE and DSN; and Nashville at Ottawa at 7 p.m. ET on SN1 and Scripps. The week closes Sunday with Carolina at Philadelphia at 7 p.m. ET, available on HHN, CARNHL, NHL Network, NBCSP, SN+ and TVA Sports.
