NHL releases opening night schedule for all 32 teams

The NHL has released its opening night schedule for all 32 teams, with the 2026-27 season set to begin on Tuesday, September 29 — only the second time in league history the regular season has started in September. The expanded 84-game schedule, the longest since 1993-94, is part of the league's new collective bargaining agreement, which also limits the preseason to four games. Opening night features five games, highlighted by the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes facing the Florida Panthers at 5 p.m. ET.