The National Hockey League (NHL) unveiled its 2025-2026 regular season schedule on July 16, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET, encompassing 1,312 games involving 32 teams. This NHL schedule guide chronicles significant dates, top matchups, world events, player returns, and television information for an exciting season.

 

NHL 2025-2026 Opening Night Games

The 2025-2026 NHL schedule release has opening night on October 7, 2025, beginning with a televised tripleheader:

 

Best Early Season NHL Games

The 2025-2026 NHL Schedule has early games highlights of:

 

NHL Global Series 2025 in Sweden

On Nov. 14 and 16, 2025, the Nashville Predators welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to Stockholm, Sweden, for the NHL Global Series. Sidney Crosby's return to Sweden for regular-season action since 2008 is one of the league's international outreach programs.

 

NHL Winter Classic and Stadium Series 2026

Two outdoor games give some weight to the season:

 

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada 2026

Seven Canadian teams play them all on January 17, 2026, including Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets, embracing Canada's passion for hockey.

 

NHL Olympic Break and Season Schedule

The NHL 2026 Schedule features an 18-day Olympic break from February 5 to 24, 2026, which is when the 2026 Winter Olympics are in Milan, Italy. See the NHL return to Olympic play for the first time since 2014. The regular season concludes in April 2026, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Finals take place in June, 2026.

 

Must See NHL Rivalries and Rematches

The NHL Schedule release did it's due diligences having these games to look forward to:

 

NHL Player Returns and Milestone Moments

Milestone moments and emotional player returns are included in this years 2025-2026 NHL Schedule release:

  • Mitch Marner's Toronto Return (January 23, 2026, Scotiabank Arena): Marner, currently playing for the Vegas Golden Knights, returns to the Maple Leafs where he earned 639 points in 576 games.
  • Brad Marchand's Boston Homecoming(October 21, 2025, TD Garden): Old Bruins captain, with 1,029 points in 1,029 games, returns home with the Florida Panthers.
  • Jonathan Toews' Chicago Reunion (January 19, 2026, United Center): Three-time Stanley Cup champion (883 points in 1,067 games) is coming back, likely with a new team.
  • Crosby vs. Ovechkin Rivalry: Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals play each other several times for the final time with Ovechkin's pending retirement, extending the legendary Sidney Crosby-Alex Ovechkin rivalry, with the two stars pursuing record milestones.
 

Key Notes for the 2025-2026 NHL Season Schedule

The 2025-2026 NHL Schedule is the final year of the 82-game structure prior to expanding in 2026-2027 to 84 games. Utah Hockey Club, the previous Utah Mammoth, unveils its new brand. Offseason roster moves create suspense.

The 2025-2026 NHL schedule release creates suspense with opening night, international play, outdoor play, and the return of players. Supporters can follow on multiple channels and set their season at NHL.com and find daily content here at Fantasy Alarm once the season starts!