NEW YORK, United States, October 15, 2026: Alex Tuch scored twice, including a short-handed goal, as the Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 on Wednesday, October 14, while Roope Hintz settled a bruising Central Division rematch by giving the Dallas Stars a 3-2 shootout victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Only two NHL games were scheduled in North America, but both were decided by one goal, featured important special-teams moments and produced significant developments for teams already managing early-season injuries.
Washington recovered from two Montreal leads before Justin Holl and Tuch scored in the third period, with Nick Suzuki’s late power-play goal making the finish uncomfortable. In Denver, Colorado had two first-period goals disallowed, welcomed Cale Makar back following the birth of his twins and still lost after Arttu Hyry converted a short-handed breakaway created by a Makar turnover. Dallas also lost Oskar Bäck to an upper-body injury, while Casey DeSmith secured his 100th NHL victory. Across the two games, the results revealed how rapidly a single mistake, special-teams opportunity or roster change can reshape a close contest.
NHL Results, October 14, 2026: Complete Scores and Defining Moments
The NHL’s official schedule confirms that Wednesday featured exactly two games, one in Washington and the other in Denver.
| Game | Final Score | Decisive Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals | Washington 5-4 | Justin Holl breaks a 3-3 tie before Alex Tuch scores his second goal |
| Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche | Dallas 3-2 (SO) | Roope Hintz scores the deciding shootout goal in Round 4 |
Wednesday’s schedule was considerably smaller than Tuesday’s extensive NHL program. The dates must be distinguished carefully: several game reports published on October 14 concerned games actually played on October 13.
The NHL’s official October 14 schedule briefing identifies Montreal at Washington and Dallas at Colorado as the complete Wednesday lineup.
Both games produced one-goal results, but their competitive patterns were different. Washington required nine regulation goals to separate itself from Montreal, while Dallas and Colorado scored twice each through regulation and overtime before the Stars won the shootout.
The official final scores add up to 14, but only 13 goals were scored during regulation and overtime. Dallas’ shootout victory accounts for the additional goal credited in the final scoreline.
Washington Capitals 5-4 Montreal Canadiens: Tuch Keeps Answering
Washington’s victory at Capital One Arena was built around repeated recoveries from setbacks.
Montreal twice led in the opening period, but the Capitals responded on both occasions before taking their first lead through a short-handed Tuch goal in the second.
The Canadiens equalized again, leaving the game tied 3-3 entering the third period.
Washington then produced the decisive stretch.
Holl scored at 12:29 of the third period to restore the Capitals’ lead, and Tuch made it 5-3 at 17:05. Suzuki answered on a 6-on-4 power play at 18:21, but Montreal could not find another equalizer.
The result ended Washington’s two-game losing streak and improved its record to 4-3-0.
How Did Montreal Take the Lead Twice in the First Period?
Josh Anderson opened the scoring at 4:29 after Alex Newhook capitalized on a Washington turnover and supplied a pass from below the goal line.
Jordan Kyrou answered at 7:56, converting after Cole Hutson helped create the attacking opportunity.
Montreal regained the advantage at 11:15 when Lane Hutson scored from the high slot.
The Canadiens had therefore taken two leads inside the opening 12 minutes.
However, Ivan Miroshnichenko scored on the power play at 19:34, redirecting a pass off Anderson’s stick and into the net to make it 2-2.
Miroshnichenko was making his season debut, an important contribution from a player outside Washington’s established opening lineup.
The goal ensured the Capitals entered the first intermission level despite twice falling behind.
Alex Tuch’s Short-Handed Goal Changes the Second Period
Tuch delivered his first goal at 6:16 of the second period while Washington was killing a penalty.
He collected the puck following a deflection, advanced on a two-on-one rush with Aliaksei Protas and finished from the left circle.
Short-handed goals are particularly damaging because the team enjoying the man advantage is supposed to possess the greater scoring opportunity.
Montreal instead conceded while attempting to attack.
The goal gave Washington its first lead at 3-2.
Anderson equalized at 12:58 after Newhook recovered the puck along the boards and found him in front of the net.
Anderson finished with two goals, while Newhook assisted on both.
The second period therefore ended level, but Tuch’s contribution had demonstrated how dangerous Washington could become when Montreal lost possession in an attacking situation.
Justin Holl and Tuch Deliver the Third-Period Finish
The decisive separation arrived midway through the third period.
Holl scored from the right point at 12:29, sending a shot through traffic to give Washington a 4-3 advantage.
He had recently been recalled from the minors and was playing only his second game for the Capitals.
Remarkably, it was already his second goal for the club.
According to the NHL, Holl became the first Washington defenseman to score in each of his first two games with the franchise.
Tuch then provided the insurance goal at 17:05, turning and shooting from the right face-off circle.
That goal eventually proved decisive because Suzuki scored for Montreal with 1:39 remaining.
The Canadiens had pulled goaltender Jakub Dobes for an additional attacker while on the power play, creating a 6-on-4 advantage.
Suzuki converted, bringing Montreal within one goal at 5-4.
Washington held on.
The official NHL game recap confirms the scoring sequence, Tuch’s three-point performance and Holl’s franchise milestone.
Why Alex Tuch’s Three Points Matter Beyond One Victory
Tuch finished with two goals and an assist, contributing directly to three of Washington’s five goals.
The performance carried additional significance because he joined the Capitals during the summer in a sign-and-trade arrangement with the Buffalo Sabres.
Before the trade was completed, Tuch signed an eight-year, $84 million contract carrying an average annual value of $10.5 million.
The expectation was that he would help strengthen Washington’s forward group during Alex Ovechkin’s final NHL season.
Seven games into the campaign, Tuch has five goals and one assist.
Wednesday offered a particularly useful demonstration of his value.
He contributed to Kyrou’s first-period equalizer, scored while short-handed and finished the play that provided Washington’s winning margin.
Those contributions came in different situations and at different stages of the game.
They also reinforced a trend visible during Washington’s earlier victory over Pittsburgh, when Tuch scored after combining with Tom Wilson on a breakaway.
That performance was part of The Sports Encounter’s analysis of Washington’s victory in Ovechkin’s final home opener.
The Capitals are still searching for consistency after a mixed start, but Tuch is already providing goals that change the result rather than simply improving the final score.
Alex Ovechkin Reaches 760 Assists as the Hutson Brothers Make History
The Capitals-Canadiens game also produced two important historical developments that could easily disappear beneath the nine-goal scoreline.
Ovechkin Moves Within Two Assists of Backstrom’s Franchise Mark
Ovechkin recorded his 760th career assist on Holl’s third-period goal.
That moved him within two assists of tying Nicklas Backstrom’s Washington franchise record of 762.
Three more assists would put Ovechkin ahead of Backstrom outright.
The milestone arrives during a season that already carries considerable emotional weight.
Ovechkin announced earlier this month that the 2026-27 campaign would be his last in the NHL.
His career scoring record remains central to his legacy, but the approaching assists record illustrates another dimension of his contribution to Washington.
We examined the records, milestones and competitive implications of his departure in our analysis of Ovechkin’s final NHL season.
His record chase now runs alongside Washington’s effort to return to the playoffs.
Cole and Lane Hutson Both Produce Points in Their First NHL Meeting
Another milestone belonged to the Hutson family.
Washington rookie defenseman Cole Hutson and Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson faced each other for the first time in an NHL game.
Cole assisted on Kyrou’s first-period goal.
Lane scored Montreal’s second goal and later assisted on Suzuki’s third-period power-play goal.
According to the NHL, they became only the second pair of defenseman brothers to record points in their first NHL meeting against each other.
The previous pair was Quinn Hughes and Luke Hughes in December 2023.
The brothers’ individual contributions helped produce one of the night’s most unusual historical details.
Lane finished with two points, while Cole recorded one assist.
Their family milestone unfolded inside a game that neither team managed to control for an entire period.
What Injuries and Player Absences Affected Washington-Montreal?
Both teams entered Wednesday’s game with important roster limitations.
Washington was without defenseman Matt Roy because of a lower-body injury, while Pierre-Luc Dubois was unavailable because of illness.
Rasmus Sandin was also sidelined with a knee injury.
Montreal remained without forward Ivan Demidov, whose lower-body injury had already created an early-season depth problem.
Other absences included defenseman Mike Matheson and goaltender Samuel Montembeault, both dealing with lower-body injuries.
Those absences increased the importance of contributions from available depth players.
Miroshnichenko responded with a goal in his season debut, while Holl supplied a decisive contribution from Washington’s blue line.
Montreal still generated 30 shots and scored four times, but allowed Washington to score five goals on 23 shots.
That is a 21.7 percent shooting rate for the Capitals, a particularly expensive outcome for Montreal’s defensive group and goaltending.
Charlie Lindgren made 26 saves for Washington, while Dobes stopped 18 shots for Montreal.
The 23-30 shot disadvantage makes the result more revealing: Washington’s finishing was more productive even though Montreal put more pucks on net.
No additional significant in-game injury was established from the official scoring summary and available postgame reporting. The listed absences should not be misrepresented as injuries sustained during Wednesday’s contest.
Dallas Stars 3-2 Colorado Avalanche: Hintz Settles a Rematch That Refused to End
The second game at Ball Arena offered a different kind of drama.
Dallas and Colorado had met the previous night, with the Avalanche winning 3-2 in Texas behind Martin Necas’ two goals and Mackenzie Blackwood’s 24 saves.
The teams then traveled to Denver for an immediate rematch.
Wednesday’s contest again finished 3-2, but Dallas reversed the result by winning the shootout.
Roope Hintz scored the deciding goal in the fourth round, giving the Stars two points and improving their record to 3-3-1.
Colorado moved to 4-2-1 after earning one point from the shootout loss.
The rematch was particularly significant because the teams compete in the Central Division, where head-to-head results can eventually influence playoff positioning.
Colorado Has Two First-Period Goals Disallowed
The Avalanche believed they had taken an early lead when Jaden Schwartz scored at 1:55 of the first period.
However, Dallas successfully challenged the play for offside, and the goal was removed.
Colorado appeared to score again at 9:29.
That effort was also disallowed after Gabriel Landeskog was ruled to have used a distinct kicking motion to put the puck into the net.
Both decisions kept the game scoreless.
They were important because Colorado had twice appeared to gain the advantage during the opening period without receiving a goal on the official scoreboard.
The hosts eventually scored legitimately at 4:55 of the second period.
Landeskog redirected Nazem Kadri’s shot into the net after Sam Malinski helped begin the attacking sequence.
Dallas answered at 15:03 through Miro Heiskanen.
Mikko Rantanen created the opportunity with a pass from the right side, and Heiskanen finished from the left face-off circle.
The goal made it 1-1 entering the final period.
Arttu Hyry Turns a Colorado Power Play Into a Dallas Lead
The next decisive development arrived only 1:20 into the third period.
Colorado had the power play, but Hyry intercepted a play from Cale Makar near Dallas’ blue line.
He accelerated into the attacking zone, broke clear and converted with a forehand-to-backhand move past Scott Wedgewood.
The short-handed goal gave Dallas a 2-1 lead.
It was Hyry’s first goal of the season and represented one of the game’s most consequential individual plays.
The goal was particularly striking because Makar had returned to the Avalanche lineup after missing Tuesday’s victory.
Hyry’s interception turned an opportunity for Colorado into a goal at the opposite end.
Brock Nelson restored parity at 8:21, collecting a loose puck following an Artturi Lehkonen shot that had struck Dallas defenseman Thomas Harley.
Nelson finished from close range to make it 2-2.
Neither team scored again during regulation or the five-minute overtime period.
Hintz Has the Final Word in the Fourth Shootout Round
Dallas and Colorado then required a shootout to settle the contest.
Jason Robertson scored for Dallas in the opening round.
Kadri converted Colorado’s second-round attempt.
The shootout eventually reached a fourth round, where Hintz scored the deciding goal.
Dallas completed a 3-2 victory, its second goal in the shootout making the difference in the tiebreaker.
Importantly, shootout goals are not credited to players’ regular goal totals. Hintz’s decisive attempt therefore determined the result without becoming an additional conventional scoring goal in his season statistics.
The official NHL recap of Dallas’ victory confirms the disallowed goals, Hyry’s short-handed strike, Makar’s return and Hintz’s shootout winner.
Cale Makar Returns After Becoming a Father, but the Avalanche Lose
Makar’s participation carried one of the most personal stories of the evening.
The Colorado defenseman missed Tuesday’s victory in Dallas because his wife, Tracy, was giving birth to the couple’s twins.
He returned for Wednesday’s home game and recorded 22:54 of ice time, finishing plus-1 with two shots on goal.
The return reinforced his importance to Colorado’s lineup after an early season in which he had already accumulated seven points in five games.
However, his turnover on the power play led directly to Hyry’s short-handed goal.
The moment should not define Makar’s entire performance, but it was a central part of the scoring sequence.
Colorado still generated enough opportunities to win and recovered through Nelson’s equalizer.
The game also illustrated how difficult it can be to predict results from the presence or absence of a single star.
Colorado defeated Dallas without Makar on Tuesday and lost with him available on Wednesday.
That does not establish that his return weakened the Avalanche. The games contained different scoring sequences, goaltending contributions and tactical situations.
The more defensible observation is that even a high-impact defenseman can be involved in a costly individual mistake during an otherwise valuable return.
Colorado had previously demonstrated its considerable attacking depth during a six-goal victory over St. Louis, when Necas scored twice and the team’s leading line combined for eight points.
That performance featured in TSE’s detailed coverage of Colorado’s explosive opening week.
Wednesday provided a contrasting test: an opponent capable of surviving pressure and exploiting one special-teams mistake.
Casey DeSmith Reaches 100 NHL Wins as Dallas Loses Oskar Bäck
Dallas’ victory also belonged to Casey DeSmith.
The goaltender made 25 saves from 27 Colorado shots, helping the Stars remain competitive through regulation and overtime.
The victory was the 100th of his NHL regular-season career.
According to the NHL, DeSmith became the 26th American-born goaltender in league history to reach 100 wins and the sixth active American-born goalie to reach the mark.
His performance was particularly important during the third period, when Colorado generated 11 shots on goal compared with Dallas’ four.
The Avalanche therefore held the stronger territorial and shot advantage during the final regulation period, but DeSmith prevented them from taking the lead.
That gave Dallas the opportunity to settle the result in the shootout.
Oskar Bäck Leaves With an Upper-Body Injury
The Stars’ win was complicated by the loss of forward Oskar Bäck.
Bäck left during the first period with an upper-body injury and did not return.
He played only 3:04 across five shifts.
Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan did not provide a definitive medical update after the game.
The absence reduced Dallas’ available forward depth during an already demanding second game in consecutive nights.
It also creates another question for upcoming lineup decisions.
Matt Duchene was already sidelined after undergoing core surgery, and Wyatt Johnston was unavailable because of illness.
Joel Kiviranta returned after missing three games with a lower-body injury, providing one positive roster development.
Another injury-related development concerned Colorado’s Nicolas Roy, who did not play because of an upper-body injury. Coach Jared Bednar described his status as day to day and said he would be reevaluated.
Neither Bäck’s recovery timetable nor a confirmed return date for Roy was available at the time of this report.
Miro Heiskanen’s Goal Adds Another Milestone for Dallas
Heiskanen’s second-period equalizer was the 70th regular-season goal of his NHL career.
The goal moved him past Daryl Sydor into sixth place among defensemen in Stars franchise history.
It also made him the seventh Finland-born NHL defenseman to score at least 70 regular-season goals.
The milestone provides another example of Dallas’ defensive players contributing directly to scoring.
Earlier this month, Heiskanen opened the scoring when the Stars defeated San Jose 5-0 to earn their first victory of the season.
That result, including Dallas’ recovery after scoring only once across its first two matches, was examined in our report on Dallas’ early-season offensive improvement.
Wednesday’s contribution came in a tighter contest where a single equalizer was necessary to prevent Colorado from taking control.
Heiskanen’s goal also demonstrates how defenders can become important attacking outlets when both teams are limiting opportunities through the middle.
What Do the NHL October 14 Statistics Reveal?
The night’s two games offer a useful comparison because both were decided by one goal while unfolding through different offensive patterns.
| Indicator | Montreal at Washington | Dallas at Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Final result | Washington 5-4 | Dallas 3-2 (SO) |
| Visitor shots | Montreal 30 | Dallas 22 |
| Home shots | Washington 23 | Colorado 27 |
| Regulation goals | 9 | 4 |
| Short-handed goals | Alex Tuch, Washington | Arttu Hyry, Dallas |
| Decisive moment | Tuch’s goal at 17:05 of the third | Hintz’s fourth-round shootout goal |
| Winning goaltender | Charlie Lindgren, 26 saves | Casey DeSmith, 25 saves |
| Winning team record | Washington 4-3-0 | Dallas 3-3-1 |
Both Winners Were Outshot
Washington won despite being outshot 30-23.
Dallas also won despite being outshot 27-22.
Combined, the winning teams recorded 45 shots, while their opponents produced 57.
That is a difference of 12 shots in favor of the losing teams.
The comparison does not measure shot quality, expected goals or territorial control across every period.
However, it shows that neither winning team depended on dominating the raw shot count.
Washington converted opportunities at a higher rate. Dallas relied on DeSmith’s saves, an important short-handed goal and successful shootout finishing.
Two Short-Handed Goals Revealed the Cost of Power-Play Mistakes
The most unusual common feature was that both games included a short-handed goal.
Tuch scored while Washington was killing a penalty.
Hyry scored while Dallas was killing a penalty.
In both cases, a team with fewer skaters converted an attacking opportunity against an opponent that should have possessed the numerical advantage.
The mechanisms differed.
Tuch capitalized on a rush created after a deflection.
Hyry intercepted Makar’s play and finished a breakaway.
Neither goal alone determined the final result, but both changed the state of the contest and forced the opposition to respond.
That is a more useful tactical observation than simply recording them as special-teams goals.
What Do the Results Mean for the Capitals, Canadiens, Stars and Avalanche?
Washington Capitals: New Arrivals Are Becoming Essential
Washington improved to 4-3-0, an encouraging response after losing consecutive games.
Tuch, Kyrou and Holl all contributed goals, while Ovechkin supplied another milestone assist.
The performance suggests the Capitals’ offseason roster changes are capable of providing offense when their longtime captain is not scoring.
That is an important development in Ovechkin’s final season, when Washington will need contributions throughout its lineup.
Montreal Canadiens: Four Goals Were Still Insufficient
Montreal fell to 3-3-1 despite scoring four times and generating more shots than Washington.
Anderson’s two goals, Lane Hutson’s contributions and Suzuki’s late power-play strike were positive attacking signs.
However, the Canadiens repeatedly surrendered the initiative after taking the lead and allowed five goals on 23 shots.
The continuing absences of Demidov, Matheson and other contributors increase the importance of defensive execution and reliable replacement performances.
Dallas Stars: An Important Recovery Against a Central Division Rival
Dallas improved to 3-3-1 after earning only one standings point from its previous two games.
Splitting the home-and-home series with Colorado prevented the Avalanche from taking both victories.
The Stars received valuable contributions from their defense, depth forwards and goaltender.
However, Bäck’s injury adds uncertainty to a roster already missing important players.
Colorado Avalanche: The Point Matters, but Special Teams Need Attention
Colorado moved to 4-2-1 and earned a standings point despite losing the shootout.
The Avalanche had opportunities to win the contest, including two disallowed first-period goals, a third-period comeback and a late shot advantage.
However, they finished without a power-play goal in four opportunities and conceded the short-handed goal to Hyry.
The result adds another close defeat to a start that included Winnipeg’s 3-2 victory over Colorado on October 7.
That earlier defeat, settled by Kyle Connor with exactly one minute remaining, was also examined in TSE’s October 7 NHL analysis.
Colorado has demonstrated substantial attacking power this season, but tight games are continuing to test its special teams, puck management and closing execution.
What Comes Next After the October 14 NHL Games?
The four teams now return to separate assignments.
Washington is scheduled to host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, October 17.
Montreal returns home for another matchup with the Buffalo Sabres the same day.
Colorado is scheduled to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, October 16.
Dallas will assess its forward availability as it prepares for its next league fixture, with Bäck’s injury adding another issue to the team’s existing depth concerns.
The early-season schedule remains demanding, particularly under the league’s expanded 84-game format.
Our 32-team preseason analysis highlighted how differently Dallas, Colorado, Washington and Montreal entered the campaign.
The opening weeks have already complicated those expectations.
Dallas, which went unbeaten in its four preseason games, has experienced a much more uneven beginning to the regular season.
Colorado has shown strong attacking form but has already lost several close contests.
Washington is receiving meaningful contributions from recently acquired players, while Montreal’s promising attack is operating around important injuries.
The contrast reflects the broader competitive landscape established in TSE’s opening-night examination of the new season.
Fans can follow further game reports, injury updates and team analysis through The Sports Encounter’s NHL coverage hub.
Wednesday’s two games supplied a useful reminder of how the NHL’s smallest schedules can produce some of its most revealing performances.
Tuch turned Washington’s short-handed opportunity into a lead and later delivered the winning margin. Hyry punished a Colorado turnover, DeSmith preserved the tie, and Hintz finished the rematch in the shootout.
Two games. Two one-goal results. And several important consequences that will extend beyond October 14.
NHL October 14, 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
How Many NHL Games Were Played on October 14, 2026?
Two games were played on Wednesday, October 14: Montreal at Washington and Dallas at Colorado.
What Were the NHL Results on October 14?
Washington defeated Montreal 5-4, while Dallas beat Colorado 3-2 in a shootout.
How Many Goals Did Alex Tuch Score Against Montreal?
Tuch scored twice and added one assist for three points in Washington’s 5-4 victory.
Who Scored the Winning Goal for the Capitals?
Tuch’s second goal, scored at 17:05 of the third period, became the game-winner after Montreal scored once more.
Who Won the Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche Shootout?
Roope Hintz scored the deciding goal in the fourth round to give Dallas a 3-2 victory.
Why Were Two Colorado Goals Disallowed?
Jaden Schwartz’s first-period effort was overturned for offside, while a Gabriel Landeskog goal was disallowed because of a distinct kicking motion.
Did Cale Makar Play Against Dallas?
Yes. Makar returned after missing the previous game following the birth of his twins. He played 22:54 and finished plus-1.
Who Scored the Short-Handed Goals on October 14?
Alex Tuch scored short-handed for Washington, and Arttu Hyry scored short-handed for Dallas.
Which Player Reached 100 NHL Wins?
Dallas goaltender Casey DeSmith recorded his 100th NHL regular-season victory after making 25 saves against Colorado.
Which Players Were Injured or Unavailable?
Dallas forward Oskar Bäck left the Colorado game with an upper-body injury. Nicolas Roy missed the game for Colorado with an upper-body injury. Washington and Montreal also entered their contest with several established players unavailable, including Matt Roy, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Ivan Demidov and Mike Matheson.