Kane Returns: Blackhawks Face Golden Knights in Season Opener

The Chicago Blackhawks and Vegas Golden Knights open the 2026-27 NHL season on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena, with Patrick Kane returning for his first game since joining Chicago in November 2023. The rebuilding Blackhawks will miss newly minted captain Connor Bedard due to a shoulder injury but bolster their blue line by acquiring Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres. Opposing them is the Vegas Golden Knights, which recently advanced through its third Stanley Cup Final run under new coaches after trading Pavel Dorofeyev and moving on from Keegan Kolesar.