The 2026-27 NHL season will kick off on September 29 with two all-Canadian matchups: the Montreal Canadiens visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs, followed by the Edmonton Oilers hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Sportsnet will broadcast these games, as it has not renewed its sublicensing agreement with CBC for Hockey Night in Canada. Other Canadian home openers include the Calgary Flames hosting Seattle on October 1, the Canucks facing the Oilers later that day, the Winnipeg Jets hosting Boston on October 2, the Canadiens welcoming Carolina on October 6, and the Ottawa Senators meeting Philadelphia on October 8. On October 25, Winnipeg will host Montreal for the NHL Heritage Classic, and the NHL Global Series will feature Carolina and Seattle in Finland on November 12 and 14. The league will implement an 84-game schedule for the first time since the 1993-94 season, totaling 1,344 games, the highest in NHL history. The full season schedule will be released on Thursday.
Why It Matters
The NHL’s move to an 84-game schedule represents a significant expansion of the league’s regular season, allowing for more games than ever before. Historically, the NHL has typically operated with a 82-game schedule since the 1995-96 season. This change reflects growth in the league’s popularity and the increasing demand for more competitive play. The inclusion of outdoor games and international matchups also highlights the NHL’s efforts to broaden its audience and enhance fan engagement both domestically and globally.
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