Watch fans celebrate Stanley Cup win with the Florida Panthers
After winning their second Stanley Cup, USAT’s Safid Deen shows what its like celebrating the Florida Panthers championship with their fans.
Sports Pulse
The 2025-26 NHL season will feature two competitions.
First, there is the battle for the Stanley Cup. The Florida Panthers will try to become the first NHL team to win three consecutive titles since the New York Islanders won four in a row in the early 1980s.
There’s also a midseason battle for medals as the NHL shuts down the season and sends its players to the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014.
With preseason games already under way, here are the key dates for the 2025-26 NHL season, including opening and closing days, outdoor games, reunions, the Olympic break, the trade deadline and more.
When does the NHL regular season begin?
The 2025-26 NHL season opens on Oct. 7 with three games, including the Panthers raising their Stanley Cup banner. All of the games will be broadcast by ESPN
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
Exclusive book: Relive the Panthers’ latest Cup
NHL teams’ home openersAnaheim Ducks: Oct. 14 vs. PenguinsBoston Bruins: Oct. 9 vs. BlackhawksBuffalo Sabres: Oct. 9 vs. RangersCalgary Flames: Oct. 11 vs. BluesCarolina Hurricanes: Oct. 9 vs. DevilsChicago Blackhawks: Oct. 11 vs. CanadiensColorado Avalanche: Oct. 9 vs. MammothColumbus Blue Jackets: Oct. 13 vs. DevilsDallas Stars: Oct. 14 vs. WildDetroit Red Wings: Oct. 9 vs. CanadiensEdmonton Oilers: Oct. 8 vs. FlamesFlorida Panthers: Oct. 7 vs. BlackhawksLos Angeles Kings: Oct. 7 vs. AvalancheMinnesota Wild: Oct. 11 vs. Blue JacketsMontreal Canadiens: Oct. 14 vs. KrakenNashville Predators: Oct. 9 vs. Blue JacketsNew Jersey Devils: Oct. 16 vs. PanthersNew York Islanders: Oct. 11 vs. CapitalsNew York Rangers: Oct. 7 vs. PenguinsOttawa Senators: Oct. 13 vs. PredatorsPhiladelphia Flyers: Oct. 13 vs. PanthersPittsburgh Penguins: Oct. 9 vs. IslandersSt. Louis Blues: Oct. 9 vs. WildSan Jose Sharks: Oct. 9 vs. Golden KnightsSeattle Kraken: Oct. 9 vs. DucksTampa Bay Lightning: Oct. 9 vs. SenatorsToronto Maple Leafs: Oct. 8 vs. CanadiensUtah Mammoth: Oct. 15 vs. FlamesVancouver Canucks: Oct. 9 vs. FlamesVegas Golden Knights: Oct. 8 vs. KingsWashington Capitals: Oct. 8 vs. BruinsWinnipeg Jets: Oct. 9 vs. StarsWhen is Alex Ovechkin’s opening game?
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, who broke Wayne Gretzky’s goal record last season, has a chance to break another one this season. He needs 43 goals to break the Hall of Famer’s record of 1,016 combined regular season and playoff goals.
Ovechkin, who combined for 49 goals last season, opens the season on Oct. 8 at home against the Boston Bruins. He is entering the final year of his contract.
What days do all 32 NHL teams play?
All 32 teams will play on the same day twice this season: Oct. 11 and Oct. 28.
When does Brad Marchand return to Boston?
The longtime Bruins star was traded to the Panthers in March and won a Stanley Cup there. He re-signed with Florida for six years and will return to Boston on Oct. 21.
When is the Hall of Fame game?
The Bruins will visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 8. Two former Bruins – Zdeno Chara and Joe Thornton – are among the Hockey Hall of Fame inductees. Chara, Thornton, Duncan Keith, Alexander Mogilny, Jennifer Botterill, Brianna Decker and builders Jack Parker and Daniele Sauvageau will be inducted on Nov. 10.
When is the NHL Global Series?
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators will play at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden on Nov. 14 and 16. Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell and Nashville’s Filip Forsberg are Swedish.
When is the Stanley Cup Final rematch?
The Panthers, who downed Edmonton in the Stanley Cup Final the last two years, will host the Oilers on Nov. 22. They teams will also play in Edmonton on March 19.
When is the Winter Classic?
The Winter Classic will be held on Jan. 2 at the Miami Marlins‘ LoanDepot Park. The Panthers will host the New York Rangers at 8 p.m. ET.
When will Olympic teams be named?
No firm date has been set, but full teams are expected to be named in early January.
When does Jonathan Toews return to Chicago?
Jonathan Toews is back in the NHLÂ after taking two seasons off for health reasons, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets. The three-time Stanley Cup champion and former longtime Blackhawks captain plays in Chicago on Jan. 19.
When does Mitch Marner return to Toronto?
Mitch Marner went to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade. He visits his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, on Jan 23.
When is the Stadium Series game?
The Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins outdoors on Feb. 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium.
When is the Olympic break?
The NHL will take a break from Feb. 6-24 for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. The men’s gold medal game is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 22.
When is the NHL trade deadline?
The trade deadline will be at 3 p.m. ET on March 6, 2026.
When does the NHL regular season end?
The regular season is scheduled to end with six games on April 16, 2026.