If you are looking for NHL scores today, you can find the latest hockey results, today’s games, upcoming matchups, and important NHL updates in one place. The NHL season is underway, giving hockey fans across the United States plenty of games to follow throughout the 2026–27 season.
The NHL regular season features 32 teams competing across the Eastern and Western Conferences. The 2026–27 schedule contains 1,344 games, with each team scheduled to play 84 regular-season games.
This guide covers the latest NHL scores, today’s schedule, recent results, how NHL scoring works, where to follow live scores, standings, and the key things hockey fans should know when checking scores during the season.
NHL Scores Today
Today’s NHL schedule for Thursday, October 8, 2026, features 10 games across the league. Several games begin at 7 p.m. ET, while the final matchup of the night is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
The games include matchups such as the Philadelphia Flyers visiting the Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks visiting the Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs visiting the Vegas Golden Knights.
The San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues are also scheduled to meet in a nationally televised matchup at 8 p.m. ET. NHL.com lists the game for Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Sportsnet+ coverage.
Latest NHL Scores
Several NHL games were completed on Wednesday, October 7.
Here are some of the latest final scores:
| Game | Final Score |
| Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals | Capitals 5–3 |
| Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets | Jets 3–2 |
| Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks | Oilers 5–2 |
These results produced several notable performances early in the season.
Capitals 5, Penguins 3
The Washington Capitals defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5–3 in a notable matchup between long-time rivals.
Tom Wilson led Washington with a goal and two assists, while Pierre-Luc Dubois added a goal and an assist. Anthony Beauvillier, Alex Tuch, and Ryan Leonard also scored for the Capitals.
The game was particularly notable because it marked another meeting between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. Ovechkin had recently announced that the 2026–27 season would be his final NHL season. Neither Ovechkin nor Crosby scored in the game.
Oilers 5, Ducks 2
The Edmonton Oilers came back from a 2–0 deficit to defeat the Anaheim Ducks 5–2.
Edmonton scored five unanswered goals in the second period.
Leon Draisaitl recorded four assists, while Evan Bouchard scored twice and added an assist. Connor McDavid contributed a goal and two assists.
Bouchard entered the day leading the NHL with six goals, while McDavid led the league in assists and points with nine assists and 12 points.
The Oilers improved to 3–0–1 and had scored 22 goals through their first four games.
Jets 3, Avalanche 2
The Winnipeg Jets rallied to defeat the Colorado Avalanche 3–2.
Kyle Connor scored twice, including the winning goal with one minute remaining in regulation.
The win gave Winnipeg three consecutive victories and points in all four of its games to start the season.
NHL Schedule Today
The NHL has a busy schedule on Thursday, October 8.
Today’s matchups include:
- Nashville Predators at Montreal Canadiens
- Dallas Stars at Buffalo Sabres
- Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators
- Utah Mammoth at Boston Bruins
- Vancouver Canucks at Carolina Hurricanes
- Minnesota Wild at Tampa Bay Lightning
- Chicago Blackhawks at New York Islanders
- San Jose Sharks at St. Louis Blues
- Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames
- Toronto Maple Leafs at Vegas Golden Knights
The scheduled start times range from 7 p.m. ET through 10 p.m. ET.
NHL Scores Tonight
For US hockey fans, several games are scheduled during the evening.
The earliest games begin at 7 p.m. ET, including:
- Flyers vs. Senators
- Canucks vs. Hurricanes
- Mammoth vs. Bruins
- Stars vs. Sabres
- Predators vs. Canadiens
- Wild vs. Lightning
The Blackhawks and Islanders are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Sharks and Blues are scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
The Avalanche and Flames follow at 9 p.m. ET, while the Maple Leafs and Golden Knights are scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
How NHL Scores Work
NHL scores are usually displayed as the number of goals scored by each team.
For example:
Boston Bruins 4, New York Rangers 2
This means Boston scored four goals and New York scored two.
The team with more goals at the end of regulation wins the game unless the contest requires overtime.
A hockey game consists of three periods, each lasting 20 minutes of regulation play.
What Happens If an NHL Game Is Tied?
Regular-season NHL games that are tied after regulation go to overtime.
If the game remains tied after overtime, a shootout is used to determine the winner.
This means a team can earn two standings points for a regulation or overtime win, while the team that loses in overtime or a shootout receives one point.
This is why NHL standings include more than just wins and losses.
Understanding NHL Standings
When checking NHL scores, it is also important to look at the standings.
A typical NHL standings table includes:
- Games played
- Wins
- Regulation losses
- Overtime losses
- Goals for
- Goals against
- Goal differential
- Points
The standings help fans understand how each team is performing throughout the regular season.
What Does NHL Points Mean?
NHL teams receive standings points based on their game results.
A regulation or overtime win is worth two points.
A team that loses in overtime or a shootout receives one point.
A regulation loss results in zero points.
Because of this system, two teams with the same number of wins can have different positions in the standings.
NHL East vs. West
The NHL is divided into two conferences:
Eastern Conference
The Eastern Conference includes the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions.
Western Conference
The Western Conference includes the Central and Pacific Divisions.
Teams compete within their divisions and conferences while also playing opponents from around the league.
NHL Divisions
The NHL currently has four divisions.
Atlantic Division
The Atlantic Division includes teams such as:
- Boston Bruins
- Buffalo Sabres
- Detroit Red Wings
- Florida Panthers
- Montreal Canadiens
- Ottawa Senators
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Toronto Maple Leafs
Metropolitan Division
The Metropolitan Division includes:
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- New Jersey Devils
- New York Islanders
- New York Rangers
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Washington Capitals
Central Division
The Central Division includes:
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Colorado Avalanche
- Dallas Stars
- Minnesota Wild
- Nashville Predators
- St. Louis Blues
- Utah Mammoth
- Winnipeg Jets
Pacific Division
The Pacific Division includes:
- Anaheim Ducks
- Calgary Flames
- Edmonton Oilers
- Los Angeles Kings
- San Jose Sharks
- Seattle Kraken
- Vancouver Canucks
- Vegas Golden Knights
NHL Live Scores
NHL live scores are useful when you want to follow games while they are being played.
A live score can show information such as:
- Current score
- Period
- Time remaining
- Goals
- Power plays
- Shots on goal
- Game status
- Overtime status
Live scores are especially useful during busy NHL nights when several games are happening simultaneously.
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NHL Scores and Game Statistics
The final score tells you who won, but it does not tell the entire story.
Fans can also look at statistics such as:
Shots on Goal
This shows how many shots each team directed toward the opposing goal.
Power Play
A power play occurs when one team has a player advantage because an opponent has been penalized.
Penalty Kill
The penalty kill is the situation where a team plays while shorthanded and tries to prevent the opponent from scoring.
Faceoff Percentage
Faceoff statistics show how often a team wins faceoffs.
Goaltending
Goalie statistics can help explain why a team won or lost, especially in a close game.
Why NHL Scores Can Change Quickly
Hockey is a fast game.
A team can be losing by two goals and quickly change the game with a power-play goal or a series of strong offensive possessions.
The Oilers’ 5–2 comeback against Anaheim is a good recent example. Edmonton entered the second period down 2–0 but scored five times in that period.
This is one reason hockey fans often continue watching even when their team is behind.
NHL Overtime Scores
Overtime games can be especially exciting because a single goal can decide the result.
When a regular-season game reaches overtime, teams have a chance to end the game before a shootout.
If no winner emerges, the shootout determines the final result.
When reading NHL scores, you may see an overtime or shootout indicator next to the final score.
NHL Scores and the Stanley Cup Playoffs
Regular-season NHL scores are important because they determine the standings and help teams qualify for the postseason.
The ultimate goal for every team is to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Teams compete for playoff positions throughout the regular season.
Once the postseason begins, the format changes because playoff games must produce a winner.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs eventually determine the NHL champion.
Why NHL Scores Matter
NHL scores are more than simple numbers.
They can affect:
- Division standings
- Conference standings
- Playoff positioning
- Wild-card races
- Team momentum
- Player statistics
- Goaltender records
- Coaching decisions
Early-season scores can also give fans an idea of how teams are starting the season.
However, one game does not necessarily determine how a team will perform over an entire season.
NHL Scores for Fantasy Hockey
Fantasy hockey players also follow NHL scores closely.
Goals, assists, shots, power-play points, saves, and other statistics can affect fantasy results depending on the scoring system.
Players such as Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and other high-production stars often receive significant attention from fantasy hockey managers.
Early in the 2026–27 season, McDavid and Bouchard have already been among the league’s statistical leaders, while Draisaitl has produced major offensive performances.
NHL Scores and Player Performance
A final score can help identify standout performances.
For example, the Oilers’ 5–2 victory over Anaheim featured:
- Four assists from Leon Draisaitl
- Two goals and one assist from Evan Bouchard
- One goal and two assists from Connor McDavid
- 29 saves from Devon Levi
Those statistics provide more context than the final score alone.
Where Can You Follow NHL Scores?
Fans can follow NHL scores through official league coverage, team websites, sports networks, and major sports-score services.
For the most reliable information, use official NHL sources or reputable sports outlets.
National broadcast partners for the 2026–27 season include ESPN/ABC, TNT Sports, and Sportsnet.
NHL Games on TV
NHL games are broadcast through different networks depending on the game and location.
The 2026–27 national broadcast partners include:
- ESPN
- ABC
- TNT Sports
- Sportsnet
Streaming availability varies by game and location.
For example, NHL.com lists the Sharks vs. Blues game on October 8 for Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Sportsnet+ coverage.
NHL Scores vs. NHL Schedule
There is an important difference between NHL scores and the NHL schedule.
NHL scores tell you the results of games that have already started or finished.
NHL schedule tells you which games are coming up and when they are scheduled to begin.
A useful NHL page should provide both because fans often want to check yesterday’s results and today’s games at the same time.
NHL Scores Tomorrow
The NHL schedule continues on Friday, October 9, with games including:
- Pittsburgh Penguins at Columbus Blue Jackets
- New York Rangers at Washington Capitals
- Seattle Kraken at Detroit Red Wings
- Anaheim Ducks at Winnipeg Jets
Additional games are scheduled throughout the day.
2026–27 NHL Season
The 2026–27 NHL regular season began on September 29, 2026.
The opening night included a tripleheader in the United States, beginning with the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers.
The regular season consists of 1,344 games, with each team scheduled for 84 games.
Important events later in the season include the NHL Winter Classic, Stadium Series, and the return of the NHL All-Star Game.
NHL Winter Classic 2026–27
The 2026–27 season includes the Discover NHL Winter Classic.
The Utah Mammoth are scheduled to host the Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles Stadium on December 31.
The outdoor game is one of the notable events on the NHL calendar.
NHL All-Star Game 2027
The NHL All-Star Game returns during the 2026–27 season after being absent for the previous two seasons because of the 4 Nations Face-Off and Winter Olympics.
The Skills competition is scheduled for February 5, 2027, with the All-Star Game scheduled for February 6 at UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders.
NHL Scores: What Fans Should Watch
When checking today’s NHL scores, do not focus only on the winning team.
Look at the full story.
Consider:
- Who scored?
- Which goalie started?
- How many shots did each team have?
- Did special teams make a difference?
- Was the game decided in overtime?
- Did a team come back from behind?
- Did an important player get injured?
- How did the result affect the standings?
These details make NHL scores much more useful for following the season.
Final Thoughts on NHL Scores
Following NHL scores is one of the easiest ways to stay updated with the hockey season, but the final score is only part of the story.
Fans can also follow the NHL schedule, standings, player statistics, team records, power-play performance, goaltending, and playoff races.
The 2026–27 NHL season is already producing notable performances. Edmonton’s comeback against Anaheim, Winnipeg’s late win over Colorado, and Washington’s victory over Pittsburgh all provided important early-season storylines.
With a full 1,344-game regular season ahead, NHL fans have plenty of hockey to follow. Checking the latest scores alongside the schedule and standings makes it easier to understand how every game affects the season.
FAQs About NHL Scores
What are the NHL scores today?
On Thursday, October 8, 2026, the NHL has 10 scheduled games. The current schedule includes matchups from the early evening through a 10 p.m. ET start between Toronto and Vegas.
What were the latest NHL scores?
The latest completed results included Washington beating Pittsburgh 5–3, Winnipeg beating Colorado 3–2, and Edmonton beating Anaheim 5–2.
What happens when an NHL game is tied?
A regular-season game that remains tied after regulation goes to overtime. If necessary, a shootout determines the winner.
What time are NHL games tonight?
On October 8, 2026, scheduled games begin at 7 p.m. ET, with later games at 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., and 10 p.m. ET.
Who is leading the NHL in points?
As of the latest October 8, 2026 results, Connor McDavid leads the NHL in points with 12, according to Reuters’ report on the Oilers’ win over Anaheim.
Who is leading the NHL in goals?
Evan Bouchard was reported as the NHL’s goal leader with six goals following Edmonton’s win over Anaheim.
How can I follow NHL scores during a game?
Use a live-score service or official NHL coverage to follow the score, period, time remaining, goals, and other game statistics.
Are NHL scores updated in real time?
Live-score services generally update scores as games are played, although there can be a short delay depending on the service.
What is the difference between NHL scores and NHL standings?
NHL scores show individual game results. NHL standings show how teams are performing across the season based on their wins, losses, overtime losses, and points.
Conclusion
NHL scores give hockey fans a quick way to follow the latest results, but combining scores with the NHL schedule, standings, and player statistics gives you a much clearer picture of the season.
The 2026–27 season is already underway, and today’s schedule features 10 games across the league. With major teams, star players, competitive divisions, and important games throughout the season, there will be plenty of NHL scores to follow.
Whether you are checking a favorite team’s result, following a player for fantasy hockey, watching the playoff race, or simply looking for NHL scores today, keeping up with the latest results is the easiest way to stay connected to the league.
NHL Scores Today: Check the latest NHL scores, hockey results, today’s schedule, standings, live scores, player stats, and 2026–27 season updates.