The National Hockey League on Wednesday published its full 2025-26 regular-season slate, confirming an Oct. 7 opener in which the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will raise their banner against the Chicago Blackhawks in Sunrise, Florida. Each of the league’s 32 clubs will again play 82 games. The calendar features two league-wide ‘Frozen Frenzy’ dates—Oct. 11 and Oct. 28—when all 32 teams will be on the ice. International play returns on Nov. 14 and 16, when the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators meet at Stockholm’s Avicii Arena in the NHL Global Series. Outdoor showcases remain a centerpiece. The Panthers will host the New York Rangers in the Winter Classic at Miami’s loanDepot Park on Jan. 2, and the Tampa Bay Lightning will stage the Stadium Series at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1. The schedule also accommodates a Feb. 6–24 pause to allow NHL players to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Among individual club highlights, the Utah Mammoth—entering their second season and first under the new moniker—open on Oct. 9 at Colorado before welcoming Calgary to Salt Lake City’s renovated Delta Center on Oct. 15. The Ottawa Senators begin with consecutive road games in Tampa Bay and Sunrise on Oct. 9 and 11, while Seattle starts its fifth campaign at home against Anaheim on Oct. 9. Schedules for the remaining teams, including the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and Vegas Golden Knights, were released simultaneously, with many clubs opening ticket sales later this month.