Here's a look at several must-see games in 2025-26: For the second straight season, Florida will raise a Stanley Cup banner, this time against Connor Bedard and Chicago, which has a new coach in Jeff Blashill and seeks to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2020.

The 2025-26 campaign opens on Oct. 7 as the Florida Panthers raise another Stanley Cup banner against the Chicago Blackhawks in a game scheduled to start at 5 p.m. ET, the first game of a back-to-back-to-back tripleheader.

The 2025-26 NHL schedule is officially here, and this year we're seeing a well-deserved nod to Sunshine State teams with marquee events, an American Thanksgiving loaded with action, and tons of hype leading up to the Winter Olympics.