NHL Schedule Release 2026: Opening Night Games, Key Dates and What to Know
The NHL has unveiled its opening night slate for the 2026-27 season, with the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes set to raise their championship banner before facing the Florida Panthers. The league will release the complete regular-season schedule on Thursday.
The NHL announced Wednesday that the 2026-27 season will begin on Sept. 29, marking the earliest start to a campaign since 2007-08 and only the second time in league history that the regular season has opened before October.
The announcement includes opening night matchups and several marquee events throughout the season, while the full 84-game schedule for all 32 teams is scheduled for release on July 16.
Hurricanes to Raise Stanley Cup Banner
Opening night will feature the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers in Raleigh, where Carolina will celebrate its Stanley Cup victory by raising its championship banner before the game.
The matchup headlines an ESPN tripleheader in the United States. The Boston Bruins will host the New York Rangers in the second game of the evening, while the Vegas Golden Knights will welcome the Chicago Blackhawks in the late-night contest.
Canadian viewers will get a Sportsnet doubleheader beginning with the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Montreal Canadiens. The game could mark the NHL debut of first-overall draft pick Gavin McKenna. The Edmonton Oilers will then face the Vancouver Canucks to conclude the opening-night schedule.
NHL Expands to 84-Game Regular Season
The 2026-27 campaign introduces an expanded 84-game regular season under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement.
The change makes it the NHL’s longest regular season since 1993-94 while reducing the preseason schedule from six games to four.
The New York Islanders, led by reigning Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer, will open their home schedule against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 3.
Marquee Events Set Throughout the Season
The league also confirmed several showcase events for the upcoming campaign.
The Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens will meet in the 2026 Heritage Classic on Oct. 25. The NHL’s Global Series returns with the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken playing two games in Helsinki, Finland, before the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks face off in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The annual Winter Classic will be held on Dec. 31, with the Utah Mammoth hosting the Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Meanwhile, the Stadium Series will feature the Dallas Stars taking on the Vegas Golden Knights at AT&T Stadium on Feb. 20, while the NHL All-Star Game returns to UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Feb. 6 for the first time since 2024.
Full Schedule Coming Thursday
Wednesday’s announcement serves as the first phase of the NHL’s schedule rollout, with only opening-night matchups and major league events confirmed.
The complete 84-game regular-season schedule, including every team’s home-and-away dates, will be released by the league on Thursday, July 16.
