The NHL unveiled its Opening Night schedule for the 2026-27 season on Wednesday, featuring a slate of five games on Sept. 29.
The reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes will kick off the campaign by taking on the Florida Panthers and raising their second banner in franchise history.
The game will also mark Brady Tkachuk's debut with Florida after the team acquired him from the Ottawa Senators for three first-round picks. The Hurricanes and Panthers faced off three times last season, with Florida winning twice.
Other Opening Night contests will highlight classic rivalry matchups, including the Montreal Canadiens traveling to Toronto to play the Maple Leafs, and the New York Rangers meeting the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.
| Game | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Panthers vs. Hurricanes | 5:00 p.m. |
| Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs | 7:00 p.m. |
| Rangers vs. Bruins | 8:00 p.m. |
| Canucks vs. Oilers | 10:00 pm |
| Blackhawks vs. Golden Knights | 10:30 p.m. |
The Opening Night slate will be followed up by a doubleheader on Thursday, Sept. 30 before the rest of the teams kick off their seasons over the weekend.
| Game | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Penguins vs. Flyers | 7:30 p.m. |
| Kings vs. Avalanche | 10:00 p.m. |
In addition to announcing the games to begin the campaign, the NHL revealed each team's home opener.
The NHL has unveiled the 2026-27 home openers for every team: pic.twitter.com/yrqWye5pLy
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 15, 2026
The 2026-27 season will have an expanded 84-game schedule for every club. The league will release the complete schedule on Thursday afternoon.
