NHL On Tap: Carlsson, Ducks set for home opener against Panthers

There are five games on the NHL schedule for Sunday, one of which is nationally televised in the United States, and two in Canada. Here are five things to watch today, along with the complete game schedule.

Ducks start flying

Leo Carlsson will try to build on his 2026-27 debut in the Anaheim Ducks’ home opener against the Florida Panthers at Honda Center (8 p.m. ET; Prime Video, SCRIPPS, KCOP-13, TVAS). The 21-year-old center had a goal and an assist for the Ducks in their first game of the season, a 4-3 win at the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday. Carlsson is out to prove his worth after Anaheim (1-0-0) matched the five-year, $90 million offer sheet he received from the Philadelphia Flyers in July. The Panthers (1-0-1) will be without captain Aleksander Barkov for the foreseeable future; their top center was placed on long-term injured reserve Saturday, two days after he sustained a lower-body injury in the second period of a 4-3 overtime loss at the San Jose Sharks. Florida defenseman Radko Gudas is set to make his return to Anaheim after spending the past three seasons there, including two as captain.

Early rematch

The Calgary Flames are still looking for their first win of the season (0-2-0) heading into this rematch with the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena (8 p.m. ET; Prime Video, KONG, SNW). Calgary has been outscored 10-2 through its first two games, including a season-opening 6-1 loss to Seattle on Thursday. It’s the second of a back-to-back for the Kraken (1-1-0), who prepare for their home opener after a 3-1 loss at the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. Defenseman Vince Dunn (one goal, two assists) and forward Jared McCann each had three points against the Flames on Thursday.

These keepers are keepers

It’s been a record-setting couple of games for New York Rangers goalies, a trend the team hopes to continue against the Utah Mammoth at Madison Square Garden (6 p.m. ET; Utah16, MSG, TVAS). Igor Shesterkin scored the 21st goalie goal in NHL history, and first for the Rangers (2-1-0), in their 5-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, and rookie Dylan Garand shut out the Detroit Red Wings in a 2-0 victory Friday, becoming the third rookie in franchise history to begin with a point streak of at least four games (3-0-1). The Mammoth are off to a 2-0-0 start, including a 4-1 victory at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Forward Dylan Guenther has five points (three goals, two assists) through Utah’s first two games.

Welcome back, Connor

Kyle Connor looks to stay hot for the Winnipeg Jets (0-0-1), who visit the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena (1 p.m. ET; DSN, NHLN, TSN3). The forward had a goal and an assist in Winnipeg’s season opener Friday, a 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins, extending the longest goal streak in season openers in NHL history (nine). The Red Wings (0-1-0) are still looking for their first goal this season after being shut out by the Rangers on Friday.

Jack be nimble

Jack Eichel is off to an excellent start for the Vegas Golden Knights heading into their game at the Vancouver Canucks (9 p.m. ET; SNP, SCRIPPS). Eichel has five points (one goal, four assists) in two games for the Golden Knights (1-1-0), who hit the road for the first time this season. Forwards Paul Cotter (three goals, two assists) and Elias Pettersson (two goals, three assists) each have five points for the Canucks, who have won two of their first three under new coach Manny Malhotra (2-1-0).

The schedule

Winnipeg Jets at Detroit Red Wings, 1 p.m. ET; DSN, NHLN, TSN3

Utah Mammoth at New York Rangers, 6 p.m. ET; Utah16, MSG, TVAS

Florida Panthers at Anaheim Ducks, 8 p.m. ET; Prime Video, SCRIPPS, KCOP-13, TVAS

Calgary Flames at Seattle Kraken, 8 p.m. ET; Prime Video, KONG, SNW

Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks, 9 p.m. ET; SNP, SCRIPPS