NHL Releases 2026-27 Schedule With Expanded 84-Game Season

The NHL released its 2026-27 regular-season schedule on Thursday, expanding each team's slate to 84 games. The league last used an 82-game format since the 1995-96 season and had previously run an 84-game schedule from 1992 to 1994. Opening night falls on September 29.

The Carolina Hurricanes raise their Stanley Cup banner before hosting the Florida Panthers at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN. , and the Chicago Blackhawks face the Vegas Golden Knights at 10:30 p.m. All 32 teams play on October 1.

Each club will meet its seven division rivals twice at home and twice on the road. The remaining intraconference games follow a 2-1-1-2 pattern against eight opponents, while every interconference matchup occurs once at home and once away, producing 42 home and 42 road games. The schedule includes three outdoor contests.

The Winnipeg Jets host the Montreal Canadiens in the Heritage Classic on October 25 at Princess Auto Stadium. The Utah Mammoth face the Colorado Avalanche in the Winter Classic on December 31 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Dallas Stars and Golden Knights meet on January 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

All-Star Weekend returns to UBS Arena on Long Island. A skills competition limited to players age 25 and younger is set for February 5. A 3-on-3 tournament featuring teams from Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States and a World squad follows on February 6.

Nearly two dozen Monday afternoon games will also air in European primetime. The NHL said the matinees support its effort to grow international viewership and brand awareness for its clubs.