The NHL has officially dropped the 2026-27 regular-season schedule, and there are a few things that immediately stand out. Whether you’re excited for Opening Night, the outdoor games or just ready to have hockey back, there is a lot to look forward to this season.
The biggest change this year is the move to an 84-game regular season. That means more hockey, more divisional matchups and every point is going to matter even more when the playoff race heats up.
Opening Night for the NHL Schedule
The season gets underway on September 29, and the NHL did not waste any time putting together a solid slate of games.
- Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes
- Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs
- New York Rangers at Boston Bruins
- Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers
- Chicago Blackhawks at Vegas Golden Knights
For Canadian fans, Leafs vs. Canadiens is obviously the headliner, but Edmonton and Vancouver should also be a fun way to kick off the season.
Circle These Dates on the NHL Schedule
October 25 – Heritage Classic
The Winnipeg Jets will host the Montreal Canadiens in the Heritage Classic at Princess Auto Stadium. Outdoor games always have a different feel, and this one should be no different.
December 31 – Winter Classic
Utah will host its first-ever outdoor NHL game when the Mammoth take on the Colorado Avalanche. It will be interesting to see how Utah embraces one of the league’s biggest annual events.
February 5-6 – NHL All-Star Weekend
After taking a couple of years off because of international tournaments, the NHL All-Star Weekend is back. It will be held at UBS Arena in New York and should bring together the league’s biggest stars once again.
February 20 – Stadium Series
The Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars will square off at AT&T Stadium in Texas. It is another big outdoor event that should draw plenty of attention.
My Biggest Takeaways on the NHL Schedule
The 84-game schedule is the biggest storyline.
It is going to be interesting to see how teams handle the extra games. More hockey is great for fans, but it also means more wear and tear over the course of the season.
Divisional games are going to matter even more.
The NHL wanted more rivalry games, and I think they got it. These are the games that usually have a little more intensity, and now we are getting more of them throughout the season.
Outdoor games still feel special.
Some people think there are too many outdoor games now, but I still enjoy them. The Heritage Classic, Winter Classic and Stadium Series are all unique events that help grow the game and give fans something different.
The All-Star Weekend is back.
Whether you are a fan of the All-Star Game or not, it is nice to have it back on the schedule. It gives fans another chance to see the league’s biggest names all in one place.
Final Thoughts on the Upcoming NHL Schedule
Overall, I like what the NHL has done with this schedule. The league is leaning into rivalries, adding more meaningful games and spreading out some great marquee events throughout the season.
Now the countdown officially begins. Which game are you most looking forward to this season? Let us know, and keep checking back with The Analyst Desk for NHL news, schedule breakdowns, analysis and everything happening around the league.
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