NHL Schedule 2025-26: Top 10 Most Anticipated Games

The NHL’s 2025-26 season is shaping up to be one for the history books, with some truly can’t-miss matchups right from the start.

The defending champion Florida Panthers will kick things off on October 7, raising their Stanley Cup banner before facing the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the first game of an opening-night triple-header.

But that’s just the beginning. This season’s schedule is packed with storylines that’ll have fans marking their calendars.

Alex Ovechkin could hit an incredible milestone on Halloween night – his 900th goal. And wouldn’t you know it, he’s facing the Islanders again, the same team he’s had so many big moments against.

The emotional returns might steal the show early on. Brad Marchand will head back to Boston on October 21 wearing a Panthers jersey – that’ll be strange to see. And Mitch Marner’s first game back in Toronto with the Golden Knights? The reception from Leafs fans could go either way.

Here’s something pretty cool: Florida’s getting not one, but two outdoor games. The Panthers will make history on January 2 in the Winter Classic at Miami’s LoanDepot Park. Later in the season, Tampa Bay finally gets its turn hosting an outdoor game – complete with a pirate ship and working cannon. That’s going to be awesome.

Jonathan Toews is making his comeback at age 37, suiting up for his hometown Winnipeg Jets. Their October 9 game against Dallas will be his first NHL action since April 2023.

Speaking of rivalries, mark your calendars for October 11 when the Stars visit Colorado. After that wild Game 7 playoff elimination last year, you know the Avalanche haven’t forgotten about Mikko Rantanen’s heroics.

And circle November 22 on your calendar – that’s when we get a Stanley Cup Final rematch between Edmonton and Florida. These teams have played 13 playoff games against each other in two years, and every single one has been intense.

The schedule makers might have saved the best for last. That final regular season game could very well decide the West’s last playoff spot.

Hockey’s back in less than three months, and it’s looking like we’re in for quite a ride.