Habs-Leafs, Canucks-Oilers to open NHL season

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 16, 2026

The 2026-27 NHL season will begin on September 29 with two all-Canadian games broadcast exclusively on Sportsnet under its new branding. This season features an expanded 84-game schedule, highlighting key events like the NHL Heritage Classic and international games as the league continues to grow its global presence.

The 2026-27 NHL season is set to commence on September 29 with two all-Canadian matchups, marking a notable start to the league’s upcoming campaign. The Montreal Canadiens will visit the Toronto Maple Leafs, followed later that evening by the Edmonton Oilers hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Both games will be broadcast on Sportsnet under the network’s new branding, as its sublicensing agreement with the CBC for "Hockey Night in Canada" was not renewed.

Canadian teams will feature prominently throughout the initial weeks of the season. On October 1, the Calgary Flames will host the Seattle Kraken, with the Vancouver Canucks taking on the Edmonton Oilers later the same day. The Winnipeg Jets will then welcome the Boston Bruins on October 2, the Montreal Canadiens will face the Carolina Hurricanes on October 6, and the Ottawa Senators will host the Philadelphia Flyers on October 8.

A highlight for Canadian hockey fans will be the NHL Heritage Classic outdoor game, scheduled for October 25, where the Winnipeg Jets will host the Montreal Canadiens.

The league’s international presence continues with the NHL Global Series. In Finland, the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken will play two games on November 12 and 14. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks are slated to compete in Germany on December 18 and 20.

The NHL’s traditional outdoor winter events will also be featured prominently. The Winter Classic on December 31 will take place at the University of Utah, where the Utah Mammoth will face off against the Colorado Avalanche. On February 20, the Dallas Stars will host the Vegas Golden Knights at AT&T Stadium in another outdoor matchup.

All-Star Weekend is scheduled for February 5-6 at UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders, providing a midseason showcase for the league’s top players.

Significantly, this season will mark the expansion of the regular schedule from 82 to 84 games for each team, indicating added competition and increased opportunities for fans to engage with their favorite teams.

The full schedule for the 2026-27 NHL season is expected to be released later this week.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.