The National Hockey League (NHL) has officially announced the complete schedule for the 2025-26 season, which will be the final 82-game campaign before the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) takes effect, expanding the season to 84 games starting in 2026-27. The 32 teams will compete in a total of 1,312 games from October 7, 2025, to April 16, 2026, with the playoffs extending through much of June.

Key Highlights of the 2025-26 NHL Schedule

• Alex Ovechkin's Milestone Chase: Washington Capitals' star Alex Ovechkin will begin his 21st NHL season on October 8, 2025, as the Capitals host the Boston Bruins. Ovechkin, who has already surpassed Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record, is just three goals shy of reaching the 900-goal milestone. It's possible he could achieve this historic feat in the same arena where he scored his 895th goal—the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island.

• Florida Panthers' Three-Peat Bid: The back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, will raise their second consecutive banner on opening night against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 7. They will continue their quest for a three-peat two days later when they host the Philadelphia Flyers.

• Utah Mammoth's Debut: The newly rebranded Utah Mammoth will play their first game on October 9 at the Colorado Avalanche. This marks a significant moment for the franchise, which relocated from Arizona and played its inaugural season in Salt Lake City as the Utah Hockey Club.

• Olympics Break: For the first time in over a decade, the NHL will pause its season to allow players to participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The break will run from February 6 to February 24, with regular-season play resuming on February 25. The NHL's last participation in the Olympics was in 2014 in Sochi, and the new CBA includes provisions for players to compete in the 2030 Games as well.

Looking Ahead

The 2025-26 season will be a pivotal one for the NHL, as it transitions to an expanded schedule under the new CBA. With more games on the horizon, fans can expect even more intense competition and thrilling moments as teams vie for the coveted Stanley Cup.

For the latest updates and in-depth analysis, stay tuned to your favorite NHL news outlets.