The National Hockey League (NHL) announced Wednesday that the 2026-27 regular season, expanded to 84 games with the addition of two more divisional games per team, will open on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with an opening-night tripleheader broadcast on ESPN in the U.S. and a doubleheader on Sportsnet in Canada.
At 5p ET on 99.9 The Fan and ESPN TV, the Florida Panthers will face off against the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Prior to the game, Carolina will raise its second championship banner at Lenovo Center.
At 7p ET on Sportsnet, the Montreal Canadiens visit the Toronto Maple Leafs in an Original Six contest at Scotiabank Arena.
Action continues on ESPN at 8p ET, when the New York Rangers face off against the Boston Bruins in another Original Six matchup at TD Garden.
At 10p ET on Sportsnet, the Vancouver Canucks clash with Pacific Division foes the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place.
On ESPN at 1030p ET, the Chicago Blackhawks will visit the Vegas Golden Knights in a Western Conference matchup at T-Mobile Arena.
The full 84-game regular season schedule will be released Thursday at 1p ET.