NHL Weekly Recap: Preseason and What We Learned

The preseason may not count in the standings, but it always gives us a taste of what’s coming once the real games begin. Between emotional sendoffs, breakout performances, and tough roster decisions, this year’s preseason had plenty of moments worth talking about.

Monday Night Showdown: Rangers vs. Capitals

The week kicked off with a thrilling matchup between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals. Both teams came into the game with high hopes, and they did not disappoint.

Fleury’s Emotional Farewell

One of the biggest storylines came from Pittsburgh, where Marc-André Fleury suited up for one final skate in a Penguins uniform. Even though it was only a ceremonial appearance, the crowd was electric. Fleury made a handful of saves and shared a special moment with fans who have cheered him on for nearly two decades. It was a perfect sendoff for one of the game’s most beloved goalies.

Avalanche Show Depth in Preseason Push

The Colorado Avalanche had a strong preseason overall, winning several early matchups and showing that their core remains dangerous. Even in a tough 3–2 loss to Dallas in their final tune-up, Colorado looked sharp. Victor Olofsson scored late to tie the game before the Stars pulled ahead again, and the Avs’ younger players got valuable ice time. That kind of depth will be important once the grind of the regular season kicks in.

Capitals End on a High Note

Washington wrapped up its preseason with a solid 2–1 win over Columbus. Goaltender Logan Thompson was a wall in net, stopping nearly everything that came his way. The Capitals’ defensive structure looked strong, and their younger forwards played with noticeable energy. With a few roster spots still undecided, performances like that could make a real difference.

Injury Updates and Roster Shifts

Not every team made it through the preseason unscathed. Vancouver’s Nils Höglander underwent surgery and will miss about two months, which opens the door for other young forwards to step up. On Long Island, Islanders prospect Cal Ritchie left a preseason game with a lower-body injury while fighting for a roster spot — tough timing for a player on the bubble.

Takeaways Heading Into the Regular Season

If this preseason showed us anything, it’s that depth and goaltending will be major storylines again this year. Several teams used these games to test younger players, and some definitely made their case to stick around. Beyond the stats, the emotion of seeing veterans like Fleury get their moment reminds fans what hockey is really about — passion, legacy, and love for the game.