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.

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>There are a total of five NHL games on opening night, which are listed below:

Time (ET)MatchupBroadcast5:00 p.m.Florida Panthers at Carolina HurricanesESPN7:00 p.m.Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple LeafsSportsnet8:00 p.m.New York Rangers at Boston BruinsESPN10:00 p.m.Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton OilersSportsnet10:30 p.m.Chicago Blackhawks at Vegas Golden KnightsESPNThe 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 GamesFireworks 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 teamThe NHL also announced every team’s home opener for the 2026-27 season, with games scheduled between Sept. 29 and Oct. 10.

Home TeamOpponentDateAnaheim DucksFlorida PanthersOctober 4Boston BruinsNew York RangersSeptember 29Buffalo SabresChicago BlackhawksOctober 3Calgary FlamesSeattle KrakenOctober 1Carolina HurricanesFlorida PanthersSeptember 29Chicago BlackhawksSt. Louis BluesOctober 6Colorado AvalancheLos Angeles KingsSeptember 30Columbus Blue JacketsBuffalo SabresOctober 1Dallas StarsSt. Louis BluesOctober 2Detroit Red WingsNew York RangersOctober 2Edmonton OilersVancouver CanucksSeptember 29Florida PanthersMinnesota WildOctober 10Los Angeles KingsFlorida PanthersOctober 6Minnesota WildBoston BruinsOctober 3Montreal CanadiensCarolina HurricanesOctober 6Nashville PredatorsMinnesota WildOctober 1New Jersey DevilsPhiladelphia FlyersOctober 1New York IslandersNew Jersey DevilsOctober 1New York RangersTampa Bay LightningOctober 1Ottawa SenatorsPhiladelphia FlyersOctober 8Philadelphia FlyersPittsburgh PenguinsSeptember 30Pittsburgh PenguinsMontreal CanadiensOctober 3San Jose SharksFlorida PanthersOctober 1Seattle KrakenCalgary FlamesOctober 4St. Louis BluesSan Jose SharksOctober 8Tampa Bay LightningWashington CapitalsOctober 1Toronto Maple LeafsMontreal CanadiensSeptember 29Utah MammothChicago BlackhawksOctober 1Vancouver CanucksEdmonton OilersOctober 1Vegas Golden KnightsChicago BlackhawksSeptember 29Washington CapitalsPittsburgh PenguinsOctober 7Winnipeg JetsBoston BruinsOctober 2The 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.

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>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.