NHL schedule announced for 2025-26

ESPN networks and TNT announce a 172-game schedule that begins with an opening night tripleheader on Oct 7.

NHL schedule set for 2025-26 season

ESPN and TNT announced a 172-game NHL schedule for the 2025-26 season, with ESPN’s The Point premiering Oct 7 on ESPN and ESPN+. The Opening Night Tripleheader begins at 5 p.m. ET, featuring Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks against the Panthers who will raise their championship banner at Amerant Bank Arena, followed by Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins visiting the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, and Nathan MacKinnon with the Colorado Avalanche facing the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena.

Other highlights include Connor McDavid and the Oilers against the Islanders on Oct 16 (ESPN+/Hulu); Brad Marchand returning to TD Garden with the Panthers on Oct 21 (ESPN); the season marking the centennial for the Blackhawks and Rangers with a December 10 Original Six showdown on TNT; a blockbuster tripleheader on Dec 23 starting with the Penguins at Maple Leafs, then Stars at Red Wings, and Flyers at the Blackhawks. After the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, ESPN doubles up on Feb 26 with Flyers versus Rangers and Oilers versus Kings, followed by a regular-season finale on April 15 with Wings versus Panthers.

The schedule is built to maximize reach by balancing marquee games with cross‑platform access across ESPN, ESPN+, and Hulu. The opening night lineup signals a narrative season driven by star power, legacy teams, and milestone anniversaries that can travel beyond fans in a single market. The centennial clash between the Blackhawks and Rangers links a century of rivalry to today’s talent, while Bedard’s emergence is framed as a season long storyline that could sustain national attention.

Yet the calendar also tests the league’s ability to translate big nights into sustained engagement. The Olympic break creates a natural pause, and the heavy slate across two networks risks viewer fatigue if key storylines stall. The real test will be whether these nights convert interest into continued conversations, tickets sold, and streaming subscriptions as the season unfolds.

Highlights

The calendar hints at a season where storylines matter as much as scores.