The National Hockey League will expand its regular season to 84 games for the first time since the 1993-94 campaign, commencing on September 29. The 32 teams will contest a total of 1,344 games through April 10, with the playoffs scheduled to begin the following week.
This marks an increase from the traditional 82-game schedule that has been in place since the mid-1990s. The change was negotiated during the recent collective bargaining agreement discussions between team owners and players. League officials cited the adjustment as a way to create a larger window between the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final and the NHL draft, which typically takes place in late June, followed by the free agency period beginning July 1.
The rationale reflects difficulties encountered in the previous season, when the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers extended to seven games. The draft occurred just four days later, allowing only a short turnaround for teams and players.
The new season will begin with the Carolina Hurricanes unveiling their second Stanley Cup championship banner on September 29 during a home game against the Florida Panthers.
Several notable team schedules have been outlined. The Los Angeles Kings will open on the road against the Colorado Avalanche—who ousted them in the first round last year—in a nationally televised matchup starting at 7 p.m. The Kings are scheduled for a five-game December road trip concluding in Minnesota, where former Wild standout Mats Zuccarello will return for a homecoming. Their longest road excursion will span seven games between January 23 and February 9, while the regular season will close with a home-and-home series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Anaheim Ducks start their season on October 2 at Vegas in a rematch of last season’s second-round playoff series, which the Golden Knights won. Anaheim will end an October four-game road trip with a visit to Philadelphia. The Flyers made headlines this summer by extending a notable five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Ducks star Leo Carlsson.
Several key games have been highlighted. On October 21, Brady Tkachuk will play his first game with the Florida Panthers against his former team, the Ottawa Senators, in a matchup charged by recent trade and roster drama. The Heritage Classic outdoor game is slated for October 25, with the Montreal Canadiens visiting the Winnipeg Jets at Princess Auto Stadium, marking outdoor hockey’s return to Canada since 2023.
The Winter Classic on December 31 will be held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, featuring the Utah-based Avalanche. On February 20, the Dallas Stars will host the Vegas Golden Knights in a high-profile outdoor event at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The regular season will feature a significant contest on April 4, when the Washington Capitals host the Pittsburgh Penguins. This game holds possible historic significance as it could mark the final regular-season meeting between Capitals veteran captain Alex Ovechkin, in his 22nd season, and Penguins star Sidney Crosby.