The Boston Bruins returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2025-26 NHL season and took a meaningful step toward becoming a contender in the Eastern Conference again.
Can they build on that success and make back-to-back postseason appearances?
The 2026-27 regular season schedule was released Wednesday afternoon. The league is using an 84-game schedule for the first time since 1994, which means each team will play 42 home games and 42 away games.
This change will result in the regular season beginning Sept. 29, which is going to feel early for a lot of people.
Let’s look at the biggest takeaways from the Bruins’ schedule, including notable dates and events that fans should circle on their calendar.
Home opener
The Bruins’ home opener is also their first game of the season. They will host the New York Rangers at TD Garden on Sept. 29. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET as part of ESPN’s Opening Night tripleheader.
Black Friday matinee
The Bruins will play the rival Toronto Maple Leafs in their Black Friday matinee. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 27.
No outdoor games
The Bruins will not take part in the Winter Classic or any other outdoor game next season.
They played in the 2026 Stadium Series against the Tampa Bay Lightning and lost 6-5 in a shootout at Raymond James Stadium. Boston’s six outdoor game appearances are tied for the second-most behind the Chicago Blackhawks (seven).
Patrice Bergeron night
The Bruins will honor Patrice Bergeron and retire his No. 37 to the TD Garden rafters before their Dec. 1 game against the Colorado Avalanche.
David E. Klutho /Sports Illustrated via Getty ImagesDavid E. Klutho /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Bergeron won the 2011 Stanley Cup title with the Bruins.
Rivalry games
Two of the Bruins’ biggest rivals — the Maple Leafs and Panthers — both took a step back last season and missed the playoffs. As a result, their games against the Bruins didn’t have the same level of intensity and fireworks compared to years prior.
But both the Leafs and Panthers should be much better next season. The Panthers, who were decimated by injuries last season, are again one of the Stanley Cup favorites, especially after trading for top-six forward Brady Tkachuk.
The Bruins-Canadiens rivalry should be awesome in 2026-27 after losing some of its fire lately. Both of these rivals are playoff-caliber teams again.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Friday, Nov. 27 at Boston
Saturday, Jan. 30 at Boston
Wednesday, Feb. 10 at Toronto
Monday, April 5 at Toronto
Montreal Canadiens
Thursday, Nov. 12 at Boston
Wednesday, Jan. 6 at Montreal
Wednesday, March 10 at Montreal
Tuesday, March 30 at Boston
Florida Panthers
Sunday, Nov. 8 at Boston
Tuesday, Dec. 8 at Florida
Tuesday, Dec. 15 at Boston
Friday, April 9 at Florida
Perry Nelson-Imagn ImagesPerry Nelson-Imagn Images
Former Bruins captain Brad Marchand won the 2025 Stanley Cup title with the Panthers.
All-Star Game returns
The last NHL All-Star Game was in 2024. It was replaced by the 4 Nations Face-off in 2025 and skipped in 2026 when NHL players returned to the Winter Olympics.
But the All-Star Game is back for 2027 and it has a new format.
According to the league, the game “will feature five teams – Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States and a ‘World’ team comprised of international players from countries outside of the other four teams – competing in a three-on-three, round-robin exhibition tournament. Each team will consist of 11 players: nine skaters and two goaltenders.”
UBS Arena, which is the home of the New York Islanders, will host the event. It is scheduled for Feb. 6.
Longest road trip
The Bruins’ longest stretch away from home is four games, and they have three of them.
The first is Oct. 13 through Oct. 20 and includes matchups against the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and Dallas Stars.
The second is Feb. 17 through Feb. 22 and features games versus the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken.
The third is the last four games of the season, and it’s all division opponents — Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Notable Western Conference opponents in Boston
Here’s a look at when a couple prominent teams and/or players from the Western Conference make their only trip to TD Garden of the season.
Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers: Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights: Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. ET
Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche: Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. ET
Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild: Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. ET
Regular season finale
The Bruins’ final regular season game is Saturday, April 10 against the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road.
The B’s have a brutal final 10 games of the season. They play the Buffalo Sabres (twice), Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and the Lightning (twice).
Six of those final 10 games are on the road.