Oilers, Maple Leafs headline NHL 2026-27 opening night schedule
The NHL has revealed its opening-night schedule for the 2026-27 season, featuring a five-game slate that includes marquee matchups featuring the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The expanded 84-game regular season begins Tuesday, Sept. 29, with national broadcasts across ESPN and Sportsnet.
Opening night starts with the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers at 5 p.m. ET. Carolina will raise its second Stanley Cup banner before the puck drops at Lenovo Center.
Canada’s spotlight game follows as the Montreal Canadiens visit the Toronto Maple Leafs in an Original Six matchup at Scotiabank Arena. Later, the Vancouver Canucks travel to Edmonton to face Connor McDavid and the Oilers in a Pacific Division clash.
MORE: Maple Leafs announce 2026 NHL preseason schedule featuring Canadiens, Senators
There are a total of five NHL games on opening night, which are listed below:
| Time (ET) | Matchup | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 p.m. | Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes | ESPN |
| 7:00 p.m. | Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs | Sportsnet |
| 8:00 p.m. | New York Rangers at Boston Bruins | ESPN |
| 10:00 p.m. | Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers | Sportsnet |
| 10:30 p.m. | Chicago Blackhawks at Vegas Golden Knights | ESPN |
The NHL’s opening-night lineup reflects its focus on tradition, rivalries, and star power. Original Six matchups headline the Eastern slate, while Edmonton and Vegas provide two of the Western Conference’s biggest attractions.
NHL Heritage Classic and Global Series Games
Fireworks go off during an NHL Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Tim Hortons Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The league also confirmed several major events beyond opening night. The Winnipeg Jets and Canadiens will meet in the 2026 Heritage Classic on Oct. 25.
Whereas Carolina and the Seattle Kraken will play the NHL Global Series in Finland, while the Ottawa Senators and Blackhawks headline the Global Series in Germany.
Outdoor hockey will continue with the Winter Classic between the Utah Mammoth and Colorado Avalanche on New Year’s Eve. Dallas and Vegas will also meet in the Stadium Series at AT&T Stadium in February.
NHL 2026-27 season Home Openers for each team
The NHL also announced every team’s home opener for the 2026-27 season, with games scheduled between Sept. 29 and Oct. 10.
| Home Team | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | Florida Panthers | October 4 |
| Boston Bruins | New York Rangers | September 29 |
| Buffalo Sabres | Chicago Blackhawks | October 3 |
| Calgary Flames | Seattle Kraken | October 1 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Florida Panthers | September 29 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | St. Louis Blues | October 6 |
| Colorado Avalanche | Los Angeles Kings | September 30 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Buffalo Sabres | October 1 |
| Dallas Stars | St. Louis Blues | October 2 |
| Detroit Red Wings | New York Rangers | October 2 |
| Edmonton Oilers | Vancouver Canucks | September 29 |
| Florida Panthers | Minnesota Wild | October 10 |
| Los Angeles Kings | Florida Panthers | October 6 |
| Minnesota Wild | Boston Bruins | October 3 |
| Montreal Canadiens | Carolina Hurricanes | October 6 |
| Nashville Predators | Minnesota Wild | October 1 |
| New Jersey Devils | Philadelphia Flyers | October 1 |
| New York Islanders | New Jersey Devils | October 1 |
| New York Rangers | Tampa Bay Lightning | October 1 |
| Ottawa Senators | Philadelphia Flyers | October 8 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Pittsburgh Penguins | September 30 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Montreal Canadiens | October 3 |
| San Jose Sharks | Florida Panthers | October 1 |
| Seattle Kraken | Calgary Flames | October 4 |
| St. Louis Blues | San Jose Sharks | October 8 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Washington Capitals | October 1 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | September 29 |
| Utah Mammoth | Chicago Blackhawks | October 1 |
| Vancouver Canucks | Edmonton Oilers | October 1 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Chicago Blackhawks | September 29 |
| Washington Capitals | Pittsburgh Penguins | October 7 |
| Winnipeg Jets | Boston Bruins | October 2 |
The schedule balances championship recognition with high-profile rivalries. Carolina receives the spotlight after winning the 2026 Stanley Cup, while teams like Edmonton and Toronto remain central television draws because of their star talent and national followings.
MORE: Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin explains what stands between him and 1,000 NHL goals
The complete regular-season schedule will be released on July 16 at 1 p.m. ET. Until then, opening night offers an early look at the league’s priorities as the NHL begins a new era with an expanded 84-game season.
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