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