Hockey fans, the wait is almost over. Every year, I find myself counting the days until the NHL season kicks off, wondering when my favorite teams will hit the ice.
The 2025-26 NHL season promises plenty of action, with tight matchups and key games that can shape playoff hopes. Most fans don’t realize how much planning goes into the schedule, from home openers to mid-season breaks, making each game feel even more significant.
I’ve put together a full guide to the season’s start, key dates, and important matchups. Let’s break down everything you need to know before the first puck drops.
Overview of the 2025-26 NHL regular season
The 2025-26 NHL regular season kicks off on October 7, 2025, with the Colorado Avalanche unveiling their latest Stanley Cup banner before taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs. This season is the final iteration of the traditional 82-game schedule, as the league plans to move to 84 games starting in 2026-27. A notable mid-season highlight is the 19-day pause in February, allowing NHL athletes to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan and Cortina, Italy. The regular season wraps up on April 16, 2026, setting the stage for the Stanley Cup Playoffs later that month.
How the NHL schedule is structured
The NHL regular season spans 82 games, evenly split between 41 home and 41 away contests, structured across divisional, conference, and inter-conference matchups. Each team faces divisional opponents 26 times, competes in 24 games against other teams in the same conference, and plays 32 matches with inter-conference rivals. Following the regular season, the top 16 teams advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, a best-of-seven elimination series where the leading clubs contend for the league championship.
When does the NHL season begin?
The 2025–26 NHL season kicks off on Oct. 9 with four games, all airing on TNT.
Start the season strong: Watch every opening night matchup live
Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens, 7
Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30
Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars, 9
New Jersey Devils at St. Louis Blues, 10
When does the NHL season end?
The 2025–26 NHL regular season is set to conclude on April 13, with seven games scheduled across arenas in North America.
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NHL teams’ home openers
Anaheim Ducks: Oct. 16 vs. Utah Hockey Club
Boston Bruins: Oct. 10 vs. Montreal Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres: Oct. 10 vs. Los Angeles Kings
Calgary Flames: Oct. 12 vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Carolina Hurricanes: Oct. 11 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Chicago Blackhawks: Oct. 17 vs. San Jose Sharks
Colorado Avalanche: Oct. 12 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets: Oct. 15 vs. Florida Panthers
Dallas Stars: Oct. 12 vs. New York Islanders
Detroit Red Wings: Oct. 10 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Edmonton Oilers: Oct. 9 vs. Winnipeg Jets
Florida Panthers: Oct. 8 vs. Boston Bruins
Los Angeles Kings: Oct. 24 vs. San Jose Sharks
Minnesota Wild: Oct. 10 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Montreal Canadiens: Oct. 9 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Nashville Predators: Oct. 10 vs. Dallas Stars
New Jersey Devils: Oct. 10 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Islanders: Oct. 10 vs. Utah Hockey Club
New York Rangers: Oct. 12 vs. Utah Hockey Club
Ottawa Senators: Oct. 10 vs. Florida Panthers
Philadelphia Flyers: Oct. 19 vs. Vancouver Canucks
Pittsburgh Penguins: Oct. 9 vs. New York Rangers
San Jose Sharks: Oct. 10 vs. St. Louis Blues
Seattle Kraken: Oct. 8 vs. St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues: Oct. 15 vs. Minnesota Wild
Tampa Bay Lightning: Oct. 12 vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Toronto Maple Leafs: Oct. 12 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Utah Hockey Club: Oct. 8 vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Vancouver Canucks: Oct. 9 vs. Calgary Flames
Vegas Golden Knights: Oct. 9 vs. Colorado Avalanche
Washington Capitals: Oct. 12 vs. New Jersey Devils
Winnipeg Jets: Oct. 11 vs. Chicago Blackhawks
When does Alex Ovechkin’s opening game occur?
Alex Ovechkin, who scored 50 goals in the 2024–25 season, is poised to reach another milestone this year. He needs 42 more goals to surpass Gordie Howe’s record for most career points by a Washington Capitals player. Ovechkin, who also contributed 36 assists last season, will open the 2025–26 campaign on Oct. 10 at home against the New York Rangers. The eight-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner is in the penultimate year of his contract.
When does Brad Marchand return to Boston?
‘The veteran Lightning forward was acquired by the Maple Leafs in July and helped Toronto reach the Conference Finals. He signed a four-year contract extension with Toronto and will face Tampa Bay on Nov. 5.’
When does Jonathan Toews play in Chicago?
Patrick Kane returns to the ice after missing the start of the season due to a wrist injury. The former Hart Trophy winner and three-time Stanley Cup champion skates in Chicago on Nov. 12.
When does Mitch Marner return to Toronto?
Mitch Marner signed a contract extension to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is scheduled to play against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena on October 19, continuing his key role.
Olympic break and other planned pauses
The NHL will pause its regular season from Feb. 6 to 24 to allow players to participate in the Winter Olympics, giving teams a planned break and fans a chance to follow international competition.
Five biggest storylines heading into the NHL season
Heading into the NHL season, major storylines include Auston Matthews’ contract negotiations with Toronto, the Boston Bruins aiming to reclaim the Stanley Cup after last year’s strong finish, adjustments to the new divisional scheduling format, tight playoff battles shaping up across both conferences, and speculation around blockbuster trades potentially involving stars such as Alex Ovechkin or Cale Makar.
