The 2026-27 NHL season begins Tuesday, September 29, 2026, officially launching another season of National Hockey League action.
Hockey fans will not have to wait much longer for meaningful games following the preseason, with several marquee matchups scheduled for NHL Opening Night.
When Does the 2026-27 NHL Regular Season Start?
The 2026-27 NHL regular season starts September 29, 2026.
Opening night features five games involving several of the league’s most recognizable teams, including the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights.
2026-27 NHL Opening Night Schedule
Here is the schedule for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with times listed in Eastern Time:
- Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes — 5:00 PM ET
- Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs — 7:00 PM ET
- New York Rangers at Boston Bruins — 8:00 PM ET
- Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers — 10:00 PM ET
- Chicago Blackhawks at Vegas Golden Knights — 10:30 PM ET
The five-game slate gives NHL fans hockey throughout the evening, beginning with Panthers-Hurricanes and concluding with Blackhawks-Golden Knights in Las Vegas.
When Does the 2026 NHL Preseason Start?
The 2026 NHL preseason began September 19, 2026, giving teams an opportunity to evaluate their rosters, prospects and potential line combinations before the regular season.
The preseason concludes September 26, leaving only a short break before the regular season begins on September 29.
How Many Games Will NHL Teams Play in 2026-27?
One of the biggest changes for the 2026-27 NHL season is the move to an 84-game regular-season schedule.
NHL teams previously played 82 regular-season games, but the expanded format gives every club two additional games during the 2026-27 campaign.
The schedule change means more regular-season hockey and additional opportunities for teams competing for Stanley Cup Playoff positioning.
When Does the 2026-27 NHL Regular Season End?
The 2026-27 NHL regular season is scheduled to conclude on April 10, 2027.
Once the regular season ends, qualifying teams will turn their attention toward the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs and the race for the Stanley Cup.
Key Dates for the 2026-27 NHL Season
Preseason begins: September 19, 2026
Preseason ends: September 26, 2026
Regular season begins: September 29, 2026
Regular-season games per team: 84
Regular season ends: April 10, 2027
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Spring 2027
2026-27 NHL Season Is Almost Here
With the preseason underway and opening night scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, the wait for the 2026-27 NHL regular season is nearly over.
The expanded 84-game schedule will make this season particularly notable as teams battle through more than six months of regular-season action before the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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