The NHL’s 2025-26 season will open on Tuesday, Oct. 7, with a tripleheader on ESPN.
The Florida Panthers will get the first time slot at 5 p.m. ET when they host the Chicago Blackhawks at Amerant Bank Arena. The Panthers will raise their Stanley Cup banner after winning a second consecutive championship. General manager Bill Zito managed to bring back the big three free agents, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad, in an attempt to win three in row.
This will be the third consecutive year that the Blackhawks and Connor Bedard will play on opening night. Chicago has been on the road all three times. The Blackhawks will have a new coach in Jeff Blashill.
The second game will be Pittsburgh Penguins at the New York Rangers (8 p.m. ET), with new Rangers coach Mike Sullivan going against the team he had led to Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017. Sullivan replaced Peter Laviolette, who was fired when the Rangers missed the playoffs one year after finishing with the league’s best record.
The Penguins are rebuilding but are a draw because of Sidney Crosby, plus Evgeni Malkin, who’s in the final year of his contract. Dan Muse is their new coach.
The final game will be the Colorado Avalanche at the Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m. ET), a couple perennial playoff teams who were knocked off in the first round last season. The Avalanche feature reigning Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar and former MVP Nathan MacKinnon. The Kings are led by Lady Byng Trophy winner Anze Kopitar.
The full NHL schedule will be announced at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 16.
NHL schedule opening night tripleheader
Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers, 5
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, 8
How to watch, stream 2025-26 NHL schedule opening night
TV: ESPN
Streaming: Fubo