NHL preseason roundup – September 24, 2026

After a series of preseason games on September 24, most teams tested their lineups, and several meetings were decided in the final minutes or in overtime. The games produced new goal scorers, the return of familiar players and some strong performances from goaltenders.

As NHL reports, the Buffalo Sabres lost 3–2 in overtime to the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena, after goaltender Alex Lyon was forced to leave the game late in the first period and did not return. Colten Ellis took his place and stopped 16 shots, while Lyon had stopped seven of eight attempts. Alex DeBrincat settled the game 33 seconds into overtime with a quick shot on the power play; for Detroit, Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Sheldon Dries also scored, while Daniil Tarasov made 17 saves. For Buffalo, Jiri Kulich and Trevor Kuntar scored.

In St. Louis, Patrick Kane played his preseason debut with the Chicago Blackhawks, but his team was beaten 1–0 by the Blues. Calle Rosen scored the decisive goal in the third period and Jordan Binnington made 16 saves for the winners; Arvid Soderblom was in net for Chicago and made 35 saves.

The Carolina Hurricanes staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Nashville Predators 6–5 in Greensboro, returning from a four-goal deficit. Logan Stankoven scored twice, Felix Unger Sorum netted the winner with three seconds left in the game, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi made an impact with a goal and an assist. For the Predators, Vitali Pinchuk, Jack Drury and Jonathan Marchessault scored; goaltenders made important saves during the clash.

The Florida Panthers won 5–3 over the Tampa Bay Lightning with Cole Reinhardt scoring and assisting another goal, while Kai Schwindt also registered a goal and an assist. For the Lightning, Jansen Harkins scored twice and Conor Geekie added a goal; Andrei Vasilevskiy made 20 saves. In Philadelphia, Joseph Woll made 28 saves and the Flyers won 2–0 over the Boston Bruins with goals from Matvei Michkov and Cole Knuble. In Columbus, Valeri Nichushkin scored on his debut for the Blue Jackets in the 4–0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins; Cam Talbot made 15 saves for a shutout.

The New York Rangers won 4–3 over the New Jersey Devils after penalty shootouts, with Will Cuylle scoring the decisive goal in the shootout and also having a goal and an assist in regulation. Anton Blidh and Scott Morrow contributed for the winners, while Joonas Korpisalo made 20 saves and stopped all three attempts in the series. For the Devils, Stefan Noesen, Ethan Edwards and Amadeus Lombardi scored.

According to the NHL, the preseason games continue to bring decisive moments, lineup tests and individual displays that could influence teams’ preparations for the regular season.