The NHL is in the stretch run of the preseason schedule.
Preseason games end on Saturday, Oct. 4, giving teams time to make final roster assessments and test line combinations before the regular season begins and games start counting in the standings.
Teams will also have to figure out how to deal with key injuries, such as the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers, who lost captain Aleksander Barkov to anterior cruciate ligament surgery after he was hurt in practice.
Here’s a look at when the 2025-26 NHL regular season begins, how to watch and stream opening night and the home openers for every team in the league.
When is the NHL’s opening night?
The 2025-26 NHL season opens on Tuesday, Oct. 7 with three games.
Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers, 5 p.m. ET
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, 8 p.m. ET
Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m. ET
The Panthers will raise their Stanley Cup banner before the first game. In the second one, new Rangers coach Mike Sullivan will face the Panthers team he had led to two championships. The last game will mark the start of the final NHL season for Kings captain Anze Kopitar.
NHL opening night: How to watch, stream
All three games will be broadcast by ESPN. They can be streamed on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Follow NHL games on Fubo
NHL teams’ home openers
- Anaheim Ducks: Oct. 14 vs. Penguins
- Boston Bruins: Oct. 9 vs. Blackhawks
- Buffalo Sabres: Oct. 9 vs. Rangers
- Calgary Flames: Oct. 11 vs. Blues
- Carolina Hurricanes: Oct. 9 vs. Devils
- Chicago Blackhawks: Oct. 11 vs. Canadiens
- Colorado Avalanche: Oct. 9 vs. Mammoth
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Oct. 13 vs. Devils
- Dallas Stars: Oct. 14 vs. Wild
- Detroit Red Wings: Oct. 9 vs. Canadiens
- Edmonton Oilers: Oct. 8 vs. Flames
- Florida Panthers: Oct. 7 vs. Blackhawks
- Los Angeles Kings: Oct. 7 vs. Avalanche
- Minnesota Wild: Oct. 11 vs. Blue Jackets
- Montreal Canadiens: Oct. 14 vs. Kraken
- Nashville Predators: Oct. 9 vs. Blue Jackets
- New Jersey Devils: Oct. 16 vs. Panthers
- New York Islanders: Oct. 11 vs. Capitals
- New York Rangers: Oct. 7 vs. Penguins
- Ottawa Senators: Oct. 13 vs. Predators
- Philadelphia Flyers: Oct. 13 vs. Panthers
- Pittsburgh Penguins: Oct. 9 vs. Islanders
- St. Louis Blues: Oct. 9 vs. Wild
- San Jose Sharks: Oct. 9 vs. Golden Knights
- Seattle Kraken: Oct. 9 vs. Ducks
- Tampa Bay Lightning: Oct. 9 vs. Senators
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Oct. 8 vs. Canadiens
- Utah Mammoth: Oct. 15 vs. Flames
- Vancouver Canucks: Oct. 9 vs. Flames
- Vegas Golden Knights: Oct. 8 vs. Kings
- Washington Capitals: Oct. 8 vs. Bruins
- Winnipeg Jets: Oct. 9 vs. Stars
