The NHL launched it is opening evening slate for the 2025-26 season — that includes the three largest American markets, the defending Stanley Cup champions and several other of the sports activities largest superstars and rising stars.
Chicago Blackhawks (25-46-11, 61 factors) at Florida Panthers (47-31-4, 98 factors)
2024-25 Outcomes: CHI wins 3-1 (Nov. 21, 2024) | FLA wins 5-1 (Feb. 2, 2025)
The 2-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will open the motion on Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. EST. They will increase the banner commemorating their newest victory forward of puck drop.
Chicago is anticipated to be close to the league’s basement once more subsequent season. FanDuel Sportsbook lists Chicago thirty first in playoff odds (+1200). Now deep right into a years lengthy rebuild following its dynasty of the 2010’s, Chicago options 2023 No. 1 general choose Connor Bedard. A phenom ahead turning 20 on July 17, Bedard has managed two 60-point campaigns earlier than his twentieth birthday regardless of the Hawks general struggles.
Hawks goaltender Spencer Knight will return to face the group that drafted him. The as soon as extremely touted goalie prospect, chosen No. 13 general by Florida in 2019, went to Chicago within the deal that despatched defenseman Seth Jones to Florida earlier than the 2025 commerce deadline.
Pittsburgh Penguins (34-36-12, 80 factors) at New York Rangers (39-36-7, 85 factors)
2024-25 Outcomes: NYR win 6-0 (Oct. 9, 2024) | NYR win 4-2 (Dec. 6, 2024) | PIT win 3-2 (Feb. 7, 2025) | NYR win 5-3 (Feb. 23, 2025)
The primetime recreation of the evening will characteristic the primary assembly between two-time Stanley Cup profitable coach Mike Sullivan and the staff he spent the final decade helming. The Rangers and Penguins are actually inextricably linked by Sullivan, by the No. 12 general draft choose the Rangers simply despatched Pittsburgh to finish the J.T. Miller commerce and by years of rivalry and playoff conferences throughout these final 10 years. On-ice, Miller and fellow Ranger Vincent Trocheck spent elements of their youth earlier than being drafted residing in Pittsburgh.
The Rangers are aggressively remaking the staff as a extra defensive-oriented group following a disastrous 2024-25 season that noticed the staff miss the playoffs as one of many worst defensive groups within the league by almost each metric. The Penguins look like the one staff actively pursuing a rebuild, strategically retreating to construct belongings even whereas Sidney Crosby (91 factors final season) continues to shine into his late 30’s.
FanDuel Sportsbook is cautiously optimistic on the Rangers means to return to the playoffs after ending their streak of three straight appearances with the twelfth greatest odds of creating the playoffs (-184). Pittsburgh, conversely, has the thirtieth greatest odds (+590).
Colorado Avalanche (49-29-4, 102 factors) at Los Angeles Kings (48-25-9, 105 factors)
2024-25 Outcomes: COL win 4-2 (Nov. 13, 2024) | COL win 4-0 (Mar. 27, 2025) | LAK win 5-4 (Apr. 12, 2025)
The NHL wraps opening evening with the biggest west coast media market in Los Angeles internet hosting superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche in a recreation that can characteristic a few of the most promising uncooked expertise on show.
The Avalanche, stylistically, are one of the crucial thrilling groups in hockey yearly due to their general staff velocity and tempo. Los Angeles, the most effective defensive staff within the 2024-25 common season by principally each metric, options rising star heart Quinton Byfield. The 2020 No. 2 general choose took some time to determine himself, however is coming off back-to-back 50-point seasons. He also can dazzle with objectives that make you query if the foundations of physics even apply to him.
The complete NHL schedule launch is about for Wednesday.
