2025–26 NHL season kicks off Oct. 7 with stacked Opening Night tripleheader (Getty Images) Hockey fans, mark your calendars. The 2025–26 NHL season officially opens on Tuesday, October 7, and the league isn’t easing into it, it’s launching with a tripleheader packed with drama, star power, and must-watch matchups. From the Panthers raising another Stanley Cup banner to a spicy coaching reunion between the Rangers and Penguins, the first night of hockey is bringing playoff-level energy straight out of the gate. And yes, it’s all airing live on ESPN, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports.
The champs go first: Panthers to raise banner vs. Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks
The night kicks off at 5 p.m. ET with the Florida Panthers, now back-to-back Stanley Cup champs, hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Expect a big banner ceremony in Sunrise and a bigger challenge for young superstar Connor Bedard, who’ll try to spoil the celebration.The Blackhawks have retooled and brought in serious help around Bedard, but starting the season against the defending champs is a trial by fire. All eyes will be on whether Chicago can hang or if Florida’s dominance rolls right into October.
All eyes on New York: Mike Sullivan faces his former Penguins in Game 2
At 8 p.m. ET, the New York Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins, but this isn’t just another divisional game, it’s personal. It marks the first time Mike Sullivan, now coaching the Rangers, will face the team he led for nearly a decade and helped guide to two Stanley Cups.The Penguins are clinging to the last years of the Crosby–Malkin era, while the Rangers are reloaded and ready to make a deep run. Add the emotional weight of Sullivan vs. Pittsburgh? This one’s gonna be spicy.
West Coast showdown: Avalanche vs. Kings closes out the night
Closing the night at 10:30 p.m. ET, the Colorado Avalanche visit the Los Angeles Kings. Colorado remains a Western Conference powerhouse, and the Kings with their revamped roster are trying to climb into contender territory. It’s a great contrast of styles and a fast-paced way to end Opening Night. Get the snacks ready, this one could get wild.
How to watch and what’s next
All three games will be nationally broadcast on ESPN (U.S.), Sportsnet, and TVA Sports (Canada).The league is expected to pause mid-season to allow player participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics.This will be the final season with an 82-game schedule before the NHL officially expands to 84 games per team in 2026–27.
From championship banners to coaching revenge and powerhouse matchups, the 2025–26 NHL season is starting strong. If this tripleheader is a sign of things to come, fans are in for a wild ride. October 7 can’t come soon enough.Also read – NHL insiders think Sidney Crosby could be traded and this time, it’s not a hot take