NHL 2026-27 preseason schedule to begin Sept. 19

The NHL announced its 2026-27 preseason schedule, an eight-day, 65-game slate running from September 19 to September 26 across 36 venues. This is the first preseason under a reduced format resulting from the NHL/NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement, which also expands the regular season to 84 games. A highlight of the preseason is the Kraft Hockeyville game on September 21, featuring the Montreal Canadiens against the Ottawa Senators in Trois-Rivières, with Saint-Boniface, Que. receiving $250,000 in arena upgrades as the 2025 Kraft Hockeyville winner.