Montreal Canadiens 4-1 Chicago Blackhawks
The Montreal Canadiens (4-3-2) haven't been off to the best start in 2026/27, with the overwhelming expectations for this young team potentially getting in their heads, especially in the toughest division in the National Hockey League. On Friday however, just two days out from the Heritage Classic with the Jets, the Canadiens found their groove early and often, with goals in the first and second to Jake Evans giving them the 3-1 lead at the end of two against a team on the rise.
Unfortunately for the Chicago Blackhawks (3-6-0), an early highlight reel goal from captain Connor Bedard was all the offense they could find on the night, with Jacob Fowler stopping all 20 shots beyond that one, stifling any momentum the Blackhawks tried to put together. Ultimately, it was Mike Matheson that sealed the deal in the third period, giving the Canadiens the 4-1 victory as they build momentum towards what will be a highlight on the NHL calender this weekend.
Colorado Avalanche 6-3 Tampa Bay Lightning
The Colorado Avalanche (6-4-1) haven't been at their consistent best early in 2026/27, and given that many see them as a Stanley Cup favorite in the Western Conference, it's been highly underwhelming at points early in the season. However, the offense clicked in a big way on Friday night at home, with both Nazem Kadri and Devon Toews finding the back of the net in the first six minutes as Colorado would go on to score two goals in each period, with all six coming from a different player.
For the Tampa Bay Lightning (7-3-0), it was a rare off night, especially for Andrei Vasilevsky, who allowed five goals on just 23 shots, with Mackenzie Blackwood making 31 saves on 34 shots for the Avalanche. One standout for the Lightning was Jake Guentzel, who got the team on the board twice, pulling them close in the second as they made it 4-2 in the closing moments of the period, but in the third, they just couldn't get it done as they fall 6-3.