The latest NHL News and NHL Scores for September 22, 2026 are headlined by an injury concern surrounding Alex Ovechkin, a spectacular debut from Bowen Byram in Chicago and another clutch overtime performance from Montreal Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield.
Ovechkin is considered day to day with a lower-body injury and could miss Washington’s entire preseason. Meanwhile, Byram introduced himself to Blackhawks fans by scoring a hat trick, including the overtime winner, in Chicago’s 4-3 victory over Minnesota. Caufield delivered his own overtime drama, scoring twice as Montreal came from behind to defeat Ottawa 3-2 at the Kraft Hockeyville game.
There were eight NHL preseason games Monday night, and one interesting trend immediately jumps off the page: all eight designated home teams won. There were 37 combined goals and three games required overtime or a shootout.
Latest NHL News and NHL Scores for September 22, 2026
Alex Ovechkin Could Miss the Entire Preseason
The Washington Capitals are being cautious with Alex Ovechkin after the 41-year-old missed practice for a second consecutive day with a lower-body injury.
NHL.com reports Ovechkin is day to day, and coach Spencer Carbery has not committed to playing him during the preseason. Washington has games remaining against Boston and Philadelphia before beginning the regular season. Ovechkin had been skating alongside Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard during training camp.
My read is that Washington has virtually no reason to rush him. Ovechkin is entering his 22nd NHL season, and getting him healthy for meaningful games matters considerably more than getting him exhibition reps. The story becomes more significant only if he remains unavailable as opening night approaches.
Bowen Byram Makes a Massive First Impression in Chicago
If the Blackhawks wanted confirmation of what Bowen Byram can bring offensively, they received it Monday night.
Byram scored three goals in his Chicago preseason debut, completing the hat trick just 29 seconds into overtime as the Blackhawks beat Minnesota 4-3. Nick Lardis added a goal and an assist while Spencer Knight made 19 saves.
Preseason results have to be treated carefully, but Byram’s ability to activate into the rush is exactly why he is such an intriguing addition to Chicago’s blue line. A defenseman producing a hat trick in his first exhibition game does not suddenly establish a season-long scoring pace, but the underlying takeaway is encouraging: Chicago wants him involved offensively, and he clearly isn’t hesitant to attack.
Cole Caufield Is Already Finding the Big Goals
Caufield is making overtime look routine.
The Canadiens forward scored the tying goal in the third period before finishing a Lane Hutson setup at 3:19 of overtime to give Montreal a 3-2 win against Ottawa. It was Caufield’s second overtime winner in two preseason appearances, following his OT goal against Toronto on Saturday.
That chemistry with Hutson deserves attention. The Canadiens don’t need Caufield proving he can score goals in September, everyone already knows that, but seeing Montreal’s most dangerous offensive weapons immediately connecting is a positive sign heading into the regular season.
Morgan Rielly Returns as Maple Leafs Trade Talk Cools
Morgan Rielly returned to Toronto’s main practice group after a virus kept him out of the Maple Leafs’ preseason opener.
The bigger storyline remains his future.
Sportsnet reported during the offseason that Rielly’s camp submitted four Western Conference teams he would consider in a trade. No deal materialized, and Rielly has now made his feelings about Toronto clear, describing the city as his home and emphasizing that he remains excited to play for the organization. He is expected to get an opportunity alongside Darren Raddysh.
That’s an important update to the summer’s NHL trade rumors. A Rielly trade was genuinely explored, but the beginning of camp has shifted the story toward how Toronto can maximize him rather than where he will be traded.
That doesn’t mean his name can never resurface. It means there is currently no evidence of an imminent move.
Connor Hellebuyck Trade Situation Remains Unresolved
The biggest unresolved NHL trade storyline remains Connor Hellebuyck.
Hellebuyck requested a trade from Winnipeg and was subsequently suspended after failing to report to training camp. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has said the door isn’t necessarily closed on Hellebuyck returning, but Winnipeg continues to seek appropriate value in any deal.
Elliotte Friedman discussed the situation again Monday, including whether Winnipeg would consider a futures-heavy return and what impact such a trade could have on the Jets’ roster. No Hellebuyck trade was reported as completed as of Tuesday afternoon.
That distinction matters. There is plenty of speculation around possible destinations, but right now the confirmed story is the trade request, suspension and continued stalemate.
Sam Steel Locks In Four More Years With Dallas
Dallas also took care of some future business, signing Sam Steel to a four-year, $14.8 million extension carrying a $3.7 million annual average value.
Steel set career highs last season with 12 goals, 21 assists and 33 points in 73 games. The new contract begins next season and keeps him from reaching unrestricted free agency in July 2027.
Washington forward Andrew Cristall also received a $2,250.86 fine, the maximum permitted under the CBA, for cross-checking Flyers defenseman Hunter McDonald during Monday’s preseason game.
NHL Scores From September 21, 2026
Monday produced eight games, 37 total goals and an 8-0 record for the designated home teams. Three of the eight games were decided in overtime or a shootout.
The notes below are based on the NHL’s official September 21 preseason roundup and separate Canadiens-Senators Hockeyville game coverage.
NHL Scores — September 21, 2026
Preseason scores, standout performances and key game notes.
Cole Caufield scored twice, tying the game in the third before winning it at 3:19 of overtime. Samuel Ersson made 34 saves for Ottawa.
Jet Greaves stopped all 16 shots he faced. Pheonix Copley completed the shutout and stopped all three Detroit shootout attempts. Conor Garland scored the deciding goal.
Bryan Rust recorded a goal and two assists while Connor Dewar added a goal and an assist. Sergei Murashov stopped all 13 shots he faced.
Jack Hughes scored the winning goal with 2:12 remaining. Timo Meier had a goal and an assist, while Rangers forward Adam Sykora left with a lower-body injury.
Jonny Brodzinski scored twice, Dylan Strome had a goal and an assist and Ryan Chesley collected three assists for Washington.
Stuart Skinner stopped 31 shots in his Jets debut. Gabriel Vilardi had a goal and an assist, while Josh Morrissey recorded two assists.
Bowen Byram scored a hat trick in his Blackhawks debut and completed it only 29 seconds into overtime. Bobby Brink scored twice for Minnesota.
Casey DeSmith made 30 saves while Thomas Harley and Nils Lundkvist scored for Dallas. Mason McTavish recorded three shots in his Blues debut.
What Monday’s NHL Scores Tell Us
Preseason hockey should never be treated like regular-season hockey, but Monday’s slate still produced some meaningful individual signals.
Byram’s offensive freedom in Chicago stands out. Skinner’s 31-save Winnipeg debut gives the Jets something positive to build around while the Hellebuyck situation remains unresolved. Caufield and Hutson already look comfortable creating offense together, and Jack Hughes needed only one late opportunity to turn a tied game into a Devils win.
The most interesting statistical wrinkle was the clean sweep by the designated home teams. That is probably more reflective of preseason roster construction and matchups than any larger league-wide trend, but it demonstrates why evaluating individual performances is generally more useful than reading too much into preseason team records.
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