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 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.
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. Stars