NEW YORK, United States, November 1, 2026: The NHL’s Halloween schedule delivered ten games, 86 combined goals and a series of dramatic finishes on Saturday, October 31, as the Boston Bruins recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Chicago 5-4 in overtime, Nashville defeated Tampa Bay in a shootout, and the Edmonton Oilers shut out the New York Islanders 4-0. Colorado completed the slate with a 5-2 victory over Calgary, while St. Louis, Buffalo, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Dallas also collected wins.
The night carried significance well beyond the final scores. Connor McDavid extended his season-opening point streak to 14 games, Sidney Crosby reached 1,771 NHL points to tie Marcel Dionne for sixth all-time, and Steven Stamkos scored against his former Tampa Bay team before delivering Nashville’s shootout winner. Josh Anderson powered Montreal’s fifth consecutive victory, Tage Thompson continued his scoring surge for Buffalo, and Boston’s David Pastrnak moved past Patrice Bergeron on the Bruins’ all-time goals list.
For readers following the season’s developing rivalries, contracts and playoff ambitions, The Sports Encounter’s NHL Hub brings together our hockey news, analysis and historical coverage.
Read next 10 Best NHL Players in 2026–27: McDavid, Kaprizov, and the Defensemen Challenging Hockey’s Elite
Story at a glance
All 10 NHL Results From October 31, 2026
The schedule produced everything from high-scoring comebacks to a shutout and a shootout. These were the confirmed final results:
Boston Bruins 5-4 Chicago Blackhawks: A Comeback With Twelve Seconds Left
Boston produced the night’s most extraordinary recovery at TD Garden, overturning a 4-2 deficit in the third period before Elias Lindholm completed the comeback in overtime.
St. Louis Blues 5-4 Detroit Red Wings: Eighteen Seconds Change Everything
St. Louis produced another remarkable comeback, scoring three consecutive goals in the third period to overcome Detroit.
Nashville Predators 5-4 Tampa Bay Lightning: Stamkos Haunts His Former Team
Steven Stamkos delivered one of the most emotionally significant performances of the night, helping Nashville defeat Tampa Bay in a shootout at Bridgestone Arena.
Edmonton Oilers 4-0 New York Islanders: McDavid’s Streak Continues
Connor McDavid extended his season-opening point streak to 14 games as Edmonton defeated the Islanders 4-0 at UBS Arena.
TL;DR: The NHL’s Biggest Halloween Storylines
- Comeback of the night: Boston overturned a 4-2 third-period deficit to defeat Chicago 5-4 in overtime.
- Individual milestone: Sidney Crosby tied Marcel Dionne for sixth in NHL history with 1,771 points.
- Superstar watch: Connor McDavid extended his season-opening point streak to 14 games.
- Goaltending performance: Tristan Jarry stopped 18 shots as Edmonton blanked the Islanders 4-0.
- Emotional victory: Steven Stamkos helped Nashville defeat his former Tampa Bay team in a shootout.
- Form team: Montreal won its fifth straight game, while Buffalo collected its third consecutive victory.
- Late-night finish: Colorado defeated Calgary 5-2, with Cale Makar collecting four assists.
- Injury concerns: Montreal remained without captain Nick Suzuki, while Vancouver continued dealing with significant absences.
All 10 NHL Results From October 31, 2026
The schedule produced everything from high-scoring comebacks to a shutout and a shootout. These were the confirmed final results:
| Game | Final Score | Key Performer | Immediate Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago at Boston | Bruins 5-4 (OT) | Elias Lindholm | Boston rallies from two goals down |
| St. Louis at Detroit | Blues 5-4 | Justin Barron | St. Louis completes third-period comeback |
| Tampa Bay at Nashville | Predators 5-4 (SO) | Steven Stamkos | Stamkos beats his former club |
| Edmonton at NY Islanders | Oilers 4-0 | Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | McDavid’s season-opening streak reaches 14 games |
| Buffalo at Los Angeles | Sabres 3-2 | Tage Thompson | Third straight Buffalo victory |
| Ottawa at San Jose | Senators 5-1 | Tim Stutzle | Ottawa ends a two-game losing sequence |
| Pittsburgh at Montreal | Canadiens 5-4 | Josh Anderson | Montreal wins fifth straight; Crosby makes history |
| Toronto at Vancouver | Maple Leafs 4-2 | William Nylander | Toronto ends its road trip with a victory |
| Columbus at Dallas | Stars 3-1 | Mikko Rantanen | Dallas responds after two defeats |
| Calgary at Colorado | Avalanche 5-2 | Cale Makar | Colorado completes decisive home victory |
The official NHL scores center provides the league’s game records and box scores.
Boston Bruins 5-4 Chicago Blackhawks: A Comeback With Twelve Seconds Left
Boston produced the night’s most extraordinary recovery at TD Garden, overturning a 4-2 deficit in the third period before Elias Lindholm completed the comeback in overtime.
Chicago appeared to be in control when Ryan Greene and Connor Bedard scored in the third period to give the Blackhawks a two-goal advantage.
But Mason Lohrei cut the deficit to 4-3 at 13:06, giving Boston renewed belief.
With the clock approaching the final whistle, Morgan Geekie scored at 19:48, leaving just 12 seconds in regulation. The goal forced overtime and transformed a likely Chicago victory into a sudden-death contest.
Lindholm delivered the winner 2:32 into the extra period, holding off two defenders before finishing past Arvid Soderblom.
David Pastrnak’s Historic Goal Adds to Boston’s Night
Pastrnak also scored his 428th goal for the Bruins, moving past Patrice Bergeron into sole possession of third place on the franchise’s all-time goals list.
Charlie McAvoy and JJ Peterka each registered two assists, while Michael DiPietro made 37 saves.
For Chicago, Anton Frondell scored twice and Bedard recorded a goal and an assist, but those performances could not prevent a fifth defeat in six games.
Why it matters: Boston improved to 10-4-1 and showed the late-game resilience expected of a team challenging near the top of the Atlantic Division. Chicago, now 4-9-1, surrendered a valuable opportunity to interrupt its poor run.
The contrast between Boston’s established leaders and Chicago’s developing core reflects the wider importance of franchise-building decisions explored in TSE’s tribute to Jonathan Toews and the leadership that defined Chicago’s championship era.
St. Louis Blues 5-4 Detroit Red Wings: Eighteen Seconds Change Everything
St. Louis produced another remarkable comeback, scoring three consecutive goals in the third period to overcome Detroit.
The decisive sequence included goals from Justin Barron and Aleksanteri Kaskimaki just 18 seconds apart.
Barron finished with a goal and an assist, while Jimmy Snuggerud also contributed a goal and an assist. Joel Hofer made 24 saves.
Detroit received a goal and an assist from Lucas Raymond but failed to convert a promising position into two points.
The Blues improved to 7-6-1 as they opened a four-game road trip. Detroit fell to 6-5-3 after entering the contest with points in eight of its previous nine games.
Detroit’s Leadership Uncertainty Adds Another Layer
The defeat arrived amid significant off-ice turmoil involving Dylan Larkin, whom the Red Wings had suspended following his trade request.
Although Detroit had responded with a victory over Chicago in its previous game, the failure to protect its lead against St. Louis raised fresh questions about defensive discipline and closing out contests.
Why it matters: St. Louis gained momentum ahead of a demanding road stretch. Detroit must now balance immediate competitive objectives with uncertainty surrounding one of its most important established players.
Nashville Predators 5-4 Tampa Bay Lightning: Stamkos Haunts His Former Team
Steven Stamkos delivered one of the most emotionally significant performances of the night, helping Nashville defeat Tampa Bay in a shootout at Bridgestone Arena.
Stamkos scored the tying goal on a third-period power play at 7:27, bringing Nashville level at 4-4.
He then scored the only goal of the four-round shootout, securing the extra point for the Predators.
It was his first goal against Tampa Bay, the club where he spent the formative and most successful years of his NHL career.
Kucherov’s Three Assists Cannot Rescue Tampa Bay
Nikita Kucherov recorded three assists for the Lightning, providing a reminder of his value during a period of unusual uncertainty surrounding his future.
Reports that Kucherov had requested a trade dominated the build-up. Tampa Bay general manager Julien BriseBois publicly stated that the organization had no intention of trading him.
Kucherov nevertheless contributed directly to Tampa Bay’s first three goals. John Carlson recorded a goal and an assist, while Jake Guentzel, Victor Hedman and Conor Geekie also scored.
Nashville relied on multiple contributors. Filip Forsberg and Nick Perbix each registered two assists, and Justus Annunen made 22 saves before stopping all four Tampa Bay shootout attempts.
The victory moved Nashville to 5-4-5, while Tampa Bay fell to 8-4-1.
Why it matters: Nashville earned a valuable extra point after repeatedly battling back. Tampa Bay’s immediate challenge is to prevent uncertainty surrounding Kucherov from distracting a roster that remains highly competitive.
The situation also illustrates how player contracts and front-office decisions can reshape competitive windows, a recurring theme in TSE’s coverage of the Rangers-Predators Adam Edstrom trade.
Edmonton Oilers 4-0 New York Islanders: McDavid’s Streak Continues
Connor McDavid extended his season-opening point streak to 14 games as Edmonton defeated the Islanders 4-0 at UBS Arena.
McDavid assisted on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ second goal at 18:26 of the second period, extending an extraordinary opening stretch.
McDavid reached 37 points for the season, comprising eight goals and 29 assists.
He was three games away from matching the 17-game season-opening point streak he recorded in 2021-22.
Nugent-Hopkins and Jarry Deliver at Both Ends
Nugent-Hopkins scored twice, while goaltender Tristan Jarry made 18 saves to record his second consecutive shutout.
Edmonton’s performance was significant because it combined offensive efficiency with disciplined defensive play.
The Islanders were unable to generate sufficient pressure to test Jarry consistently, while Edmonton’s established stars continued producing decisive contributions.
Why it matters: Edmonton strengthened its position among the Western Conference’s early contenders. The Islanders missed an opportunity to build on their recent positive run.
Elite individual production remains central to championship ambitions, as TSE explored when examining Carolina’s Stanley Cup-winning performance against Vegas.
Buffalo Sabres 3-2 Los Angeles Kings: Tage Thompson Delivers Again
Tage Thompson scored twice, including the game-winning power-play goal at 13:40 of the third period, as Buffalo extended its winning streak to three games.
Jack Quinn contributed a goal and an assist, while Zach Benson and Rasmus Dahlin each supplied two assists.
Buffalo initially built a 2-0 advantage through Quinn and Thompson.
But Corey Perry reduced the deficit on a power play, and Andre Lee tied the game early in the third period.
Thompson then finished a one-timer from Quinn’s cross-ice pass to restore Buffalo’s advantage.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 27 saves for the Sabres, who improved to 7-4-3.
The Kings fell to 4-7-2 and remained unable to establish consistent form at home.
Why it matters: Thompson’s scoring surge has given Buffalo a dependable offensive focal point. The Sabres also extended their road point streak to seven games, reinforcing their growing confidence away from home.
Ottawa Senators 5-1 San Jose Sharks: Four Straight Goals Settle the Contest
Ottawa responded to consecutive defeats with a convincing 5-1 victory over San Jose.
Tim Stutzle, Dylan Cozens and Shane Pinto each finished with a goal and an assist.
Drake Batherson also scored, extending his point streak to seven games, while Ridly Greig added a short-handed goal.
Cozens opened the scoring, but Michael Misa equalized for San Jose late in the first period.
The Senators then took control, scoring four unanswered goals.
Batherson restored Ottawa’s lead early in the second period. Stutzle extended it before Greig finished a short-handed breakaway.
Pinto later added an empty-net goal to complete the result.
Samuel Ersson recorded his first victory for Ottawa, making 22 saves, while Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 30 shots for San Jose.
Why it matters: Ottawa improved to 9-5-1 and halted its losing sequence. San Jose dropped to 7-7-1 after losing three of its previous four games, highlighting the defensive inconsistencies that continue to affect its progress.
Montreal Canadiens 5-4 Pittsburgh Penguins: Crosby Makes History, Anderson Steals the Win
Montreal extended its winning streak to five games, surviving a late Pittsburgh comeback to claim a 5-4 victory at Bell Centre.
Josh Anderson scored twice and added an assist, while Chris Kreider contributed a goal and an assist.
Lane Hutson supplied two assists, and rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler made 25 saves.
Montreal improved to 9-3-2 and extended its overall point streak to seven games.
Sidney Crosby Reaches 1,771 Career Points
Despite Pittsburgh’s defeat, Crosby produced a milestone performance.
He scored with 3:11 remaining in the third period to reduce Montreal’s advantage to 5-4.
The goal moved Crosby to 1,771 NHL points, tying Marcel Dionne for sixth place on the league’s all-time scoring list.
Crosby also provided two assists. His first assist of the game gave him 1,112 assists with Pittsburgh, surpassing Ray Bourque’s record for the most assists with a single NHL franchise.
Erik Karlsson contributed a goal and two assists, while Rickard Rakell and Tommy Novak each recorded a goal and an assist.
The Penguins fell to 5-7-2 despite their captain’s exceptional performance.
Montreal Wins Despite Significant Injuries
The Canadiens remained without captain Nick Suzuki because of an upper-body injury.
Defenseman Mike Matheson was also unavailable, while goaltender Samuel Montembeault and forward Ivan Demidov were listed among the team’s injured players before the game.
Kirby Dach missed the contest because of illness.
Montreal’s winning run is particularly notable because several important players have been unavailable.
For Pittsburgh, the performance again demonstrated how much Crosby continues to influence the team’s competitiveness.
TSE previously examined Pittsburgh’s longer-term transition in our report on the Penguins’ ownership transition.
Why it matters: Montreal is accumulating points despite injuries, strengthening its case as one of the early Eastern Conference contenders. Pittsburgh’s challenge is to turn competitive performances and Crosby’s continued excellence into victories.
Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 Vancouver Canucks: Nylander and Matthews Punish Vancouver
William Nylander scored a goal and added an assist as Toronto defeated Vancouver 4-2 at Rogers Arena.
Nylander opened the scoring just 1:23 into the first period.
Brock Boeser equalized for Vancouver on a power-play breakaway, but Auston Matthews restored Toronto’s advantage early in the second period.
Zack MacEwen increased the lead to 3-1 before Max Sasson brought Vancouver back within one.
Former Canuck Teddy Blueger sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.
Anthony Stolarz made 26 saves for Toronto.
Matthews Extends His Road Point Streak
Matthews extended his season-opening road point streak to eight games, continuing his strong start to the campaign.
Toronto improved to 8-6-2, while Vancouver dropped to 3-12-1.
The Canucks have now lost 12 of their past 13 games, collecting only one victory during that period.
Vancouver’s Injuries Continue to Shape Its Season
The Canucks entered the game without Filip Chytil, who had aggravated a shoulder injury, and Thatcher Demko, who remained unavailable because of a hip injury.
Toronto had also been dealing with injuries, including absences involving John Tavares and Max Domi.
Why it matters: Toronto ended its road trip on a positive note, while Vancouver’s ongoing slide and injury concerns continue to place pressure on its roster depth and defensive organization.
Dallas Stars 3-1 Columbus Blue Jackets: Rantanen and Oettinger Restore Confidence
Mikko Rantanen scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season as Dallas defeated Columbus 3-1 at American Airlines Center.
Rantanen opened the scoring on a first-period power play, converting a pass from Wyatt Johnston.
Thomas Harley doubled Dallas’ lead with less than a second remaining in the first period.
Columbus threatened a comeback when Damon Severson scored in the third period, but Arttu Hyry settled the contest with an empty-net goal at 19:59.
Hyry finished with a goal and an assist, while Miro Heiskanen contributed two assists.
Jake Oettinger made 25 saves for Dallas.
The Blue Jackets briefly believed they had scored earlier in the third period, but a successful Dallas challenge overturned Valeri Nichushkin’s apparent goal because of an offside entry.
Why it matters: Dallas improved to 8-5-1, ending a two-game losing sequence. Columbus dropped to 5-7-0 after a second consecutive defeat.
Colorado Avalanche 5-2 Calgary Flames: Makar Directs a Dominant Performance
Colorado completed the Halloween schedule with a 5-2 victory against Calgary at Ball Arena.
Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring in the first period, converting an opportunity created by Cale Makar and Martin Necas.
Necas then extended the lead on a second-period power play.
Artturi Lehkonen and Brock Nelson scored to give Colorado a commanding 4-0 advantage before Joel Farabee responded for Calgary.
Martin Pospisil added another Calgary goal early in the third period, reducing the deficit to 4-2.
But Lehkonen scored again at 4:09 of the final period to end any realistic comeback hopes.
Cale Makar’s Four Assists Highlight Colorado’s Attacking Depth
Makar registered four assists, contributing to MacKinnon’s opening goal, Lehkonen’s first goal, Nelson’s goal and Lehkonen’s second.
MacKinnon added a goal and an assist, while Lehkonen scored twice.
The result was particularly notable because Colorado moved the puck effectively through multiple attacking options rather than relying exclusively on one forward line.
Calgary arrived after an emphatic 6-2 win over Seattle the previous evening, but could not sustain that momentum.
Why it matters: Colorado finished October with an important home victory and demonstrated the offensive creativity that makes its leading players difficult to contain. Calgary failed to build on its recent positive performances.
The Night’s Most Important Individual Performances
| Player | Team | Performance | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh | 1 goal, 2 assists | Tied Marcel Dionne on 1,771 points |
| Connor McDavid | Edmonton | Assist | Season-opening point streak reached 14 games |
| Josh Anderson | Montreal | 2 goals, 1 assist | Powered fifth consecutive Montreal win |
| Tage Thompson | Buffalo | 2 goals | Scored the game-winner against Los Angeles |
| Steven Stamkos | Nashville | Goal and shootout winner | Defeated his former Tampa Bay club |
| Nikita Kucherov | Tampa Bay | 3 assists | Major contribution amid trade speculation |
| Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | Edmonton | 2 goals | Led the offense in a 4-0 victory |
| Tristan Jarry | Edmonton | 18 saves, shutout | Second consecutive shutout |
| Cale Makar | Colorado | 4 assists | Set up four of Colorado’s five goals |
| Artturi Lehkonen | Colorado | 2 goals | Helped defeat Calgary |
| Elias Lindholm | Boston | Overtime winner | Completed comeback against Chicago |
Injuries, Illness and Roster Availability: What Was Confirmed
Injury reports formed an important part of the day’s context, particularly for Montreal and Vancouver. The following summarizes confirmed pregame absences and relevant roster developments, rather than suggesting that every issue originated during these games.
| Team | Player | Reported Issue | Competitive Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal | Nick Suzuki | Upper-body injury | Captain remains unavailable during winning streak |
| Montreal | Mike Matheson | Injury absence | Reduces defensive depth |
| Montreal | Kirby Dach | Illness | Missed Pittsburgh game |
| Vancouver | Filip Chytil | Shoulder injury | Limits center options |
| Vancouver | Thatcher Demko | Hip injury | Reduces established goaltending options |
| Toronto | John Tavares | Lower-body injury | Reduces veteran forward depth |
| Toronto | Max Domi | Undisclosed injury | Additional forward-line absence |
| Detroit | Dylan Larkin | Suspension, not injury | Leadership and lineup uncertainty |
These situations demonstrate why roster availability matters beyond the injured player’s individual statistics. Missing established centers, defensemen and goaltenders can alter special-teams combinations, line deployment and defensive responsibilities.
For additional context on player availability and roster developments, readers can consult the NHL’s official lineup and injury-status reports.
Which Teams Gained the Most From Halloween’s Results?
Not every victory has the same competitive significance. Some results extended encouraging trends, while others simply interrupted losing sequences.
| Team | Record After Game | Direction | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 10-4-1 | Positive | Late-game resilience |
| Montreal | 9-3-2 | Positive | Five-game winning streak despite injuries |
| Edmonton | 10-2-2 | Positive | McDavid’s production and team defense |
| Ottawa | 9-5-1 | Recovering | Depth scoring and consistency |
| Buffalo | 7-4-3 | Positive | Thompson’s offensive form |
| Dallas | 8-5-1 | Recovering | Rantanen’s production and defensive control |
| Chicago | 4-9-1 | Under pressure | Protecting late leads |
| Vancouver | 3-12-1 | Under pressure | Injury management and defensive stability |
| Los Angeles | 4-7-2 | Under pressure | Home form and offensive consistency |
| San Jose | 7-7-1 | Inconsistent | Defensive structure against stronger opponents |
The early standings should not be mistaken for a reliable forecast of the eventual Stanley Cup playoffs. October form provides evidence of team strengths and weaknesses, but the regular season remains long.
Still, championship contenders generally require more than individual star production. Special teams, goaltending, defensive depth and late-game execution become increasingly important as the campaign progresses.
Those qualities shaped Carolina’s championship run, as explored in our tactical analysis of the Hurricanes’ decisive Stanley Cup Final matchup.
Three Trends That Defined the NHL’s Halloween Schedule
1. Late-Game Management Remains a Major Separator
Boston, St. Louis and Buffalo all showed how quickly a game’s direction can change.
Boston needed a goal with 12 seconds left to rescue its game against Chicago. St. Louis scored three unanswered third-period goals against Detroit. Buffalo surrendered a two-goal lead but responded through Thompson’s game-winning power-play goal.
The lesson is not simply that comebacks are exciting. Teams capable of protecting the puck, managing defensive pressure and executing under time constraints tend to convert close games into points.
2. Veteran Superstars Continue to Shape the League
Crosby, McDavid, Stamkos and Pastrnak all produced meaningful contributions.
Crosby reached another historic milestone despite Pittsburgh’s loss. McDavid maintained an extraordinary scoring streak. Stamkos determined Nashville’s result against his former team. Pastrnak continued climbing Boston’s all-time goals list.
Hockey’s generational debate remains compelling because established players continue setting demanding standards for the next wave.
TSE examined that historical comparison in our coverage of the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
3. Injuries Are Testing Team Depth Early
Montreal’s winning streak despite multiple absences demonstrates the importance of secondary contributors.
Vancouver’s problems illustrate the opposite challenge: a struggling team becomes even more vulnerable when key players are unavailable.
The same principle applies to the salary-cap decisions and roster construction explored in TSE’s analysis of Florida’s Stanley Cup ambitions following its major roster move.
Five Questions Facing the NHL After October 31
Can Boston Sustain Its Early Momentum?
The Bruins have developed a strong record, but repeated dependence on late rallies is not a sustainable foundation for an entire season.
How Long Can McDavid’s Streak Continue?
McDavid’s scoring consistency is remarkable, but Edmonton’s broader championship ambitions will depend on keeping its defensive performance as strong as its offense.
Will Kucherov’s Contract Situation Become a Distraction?
Kucherov’s three assists demonstrated his commitment on the ice. Tampa Bay now faces the challenge of managing a major organizational storyline while remaining competitive.
Can Montreal Continue Winning Without Its Full Roster?
Five consecutive victories provide evidence of strong depth, but prolonged absences will continue testing the Canadiens’ ability to sustain their form.
How Quickly Can Vancouver Recover?
With only three wins through 16 games, Vancouver needs immediate improvement in both availability and performance to avoid falling further behind the Western Conference’s stronger teams.
The Sports Encounter Verdict: Halloween Exposed the Difference Between Talent and Execution
The October 31 schedule offered a revealing snapshot of the NHL’s competitive balance.
Established stars created history, but several results were determined by supporting players, defensive decisions and the ability to respond to pressure.
Boston’s comeback demonstrated resilience. St. Louis capitalized on a short burst of third-period momentum. Buffalo relied on its leading scorer to recover from a blown advantage. Nashville found a way to win a tense shootout. Edmonton combined star power with a shutout, while Montreal continued demonstrating impressive depth.
For the teams on the losing side, the lessons were equally clear.
Chicago must learn to protect advantages. Detroit needs greater late-game stability. Los Angeles requires stronger home performances. Vancouver must stop its extended decline, and Pittsburgh needs more victories from nights when Crosby continues producing historic performances.
The schedule also reinforced why hockey’s significance cannot be measured exclusively through the final score. Player milestones, roster uncertainty, rivalries and developing team identities all influence how a season unfolds.
That wider relationship between the sport and its audience remains central to TSE’s analysis of the NHL’s growing audience and changing appeal.
Ten games, one shutout, one overtime thriller, one shootout, several historic milestones and a series of dramatic momentum swings made Halloween one of October’s most eventful NHL schedules.
For the winners, the challenge is to turn these performances into sustained momentum. For the defeated teams, the next opportunity to respond cannot come soon enough.
Continue the NHL Story
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NHL games were played on October 31, 2026?
Ten NHL games were played, with Boston, St. Louis, Nashville, Edmonton, Buffalo, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Dallas and Colorado recording victories.
Which game had the most dramatic comeback?
Boston’s 5-4 overtime victory against Chicago featured a comeback from a 4-2 third-period deficit, including Morgan Geekie’s equalizer with 12 seconds remaining.
What milestone did Sidney Crosby achieve?
Crosby reached 1,771 career NHL points, tying Marcel Dionne for sixth all-time. He also became the league’s leader in assists recorded with one franchise.
What happened to Connor McDavid’s scoring streak?
McDavid extended his season-opening point streak to 14 games during Edmonton’s 4-0 victory over the Islanders.
Who won Colorado Avalanche vs Calgary Flames?
Colorado defeated Calgary 5-2, with Cale Makar registering four assists and Artturi Lehkonen scoring twice.
Which teams won in overtime or a shootout?
Boston defeated Chicago in overtime, while Nashville beat Tampa Bay in a shootout.
Which major players were unavailable because of injuries?
Notable reported absences included Montreal’s Nick Suzuki and Mike Matheson, Vancouver’s Filip Chytil and Thatcher Demko, and Toronto’s John Tavares and Max Domi.
Explore More Hockey Coverage
Visit The Sports Encounter’s NHL news section for reports, player developments, team analysis and the stories shaping the 2026-27 season.
For the previous championship’s defining turning points, revisit Carolina’s crucial Game 5 victory over Vegas in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
Editorial sources: The NHL’s official game reports, box scores and lineup updates. Read the official NHL October 31 schedule and pregame briefing for the original schedule and pregame context.
