NHL releases 2025-26 schedule

The NHL announced the schedule for the 2025-26 season on Wednesday.

The campaign opens Oct. 7 with a tripleheader: The Florida Panthers take on the Chicago Blackhawks and raise their second straight Stanley Cup banner before the Pittsburgh Penguins face the New York Rangers, and then the Colorado Avalanche clash with the Los Angeles Kings.

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 8, and are followed that night by the Battle of Alberta between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.

The 2025-26 season is the NHL's last 82-game slate before increasing to 84 games for 2026-27 with the new CBA.

Here's every team's home opener:

Here are some other notable games:

• Oct. 11, 28: All 32 teams in action
• Oct. 21: Brad Marchand's return to Boston with Panthers
• Oct 28: J.T. Miller's first game in Vancouver since trade to Rangers
• Nov. 14, 16: Penguins versus Predators in Stockholm, Sweden
• Nov. 22: Panthers host Oilers in Stanley Cup Final rematch
• Dec. 15: Chris Kreider's first game versus Rangers
• Jan. 2: Panthers face Rangers in Winter Classic at loanDepot Park in Miami
• Jan. 6: Mikko Rantanen's first game in Carolina since being traded to Dallas
• Jan. 15: Mitch Marner's first game versus Maple Leafs in Vegas
• Jan. 17: All seven Canadian teams in action for Hockey Day in Canada
• Jan. 19: Jonathan Toews' first game back in Chicago
• Jan. 23: Mitch Marner's return to Toronto
• Feb. 1: Lightning take on Bruins in Stadium Series clash at Raymond James Stadium
• Feb. 6-24: Schedule pauses for 2026 Olympics
• March 18: Trevor Zegras first game in Anaheim with Flyers
• March 19: Oilers host Panthers in Stanley Cup Final rematch
• April 11-12: Penguins versus Capitals in back-to-back, potential final games between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin

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