2026-27 NHL Schedule and Key Dates: Brady Tkachuk returns to Ottawa on Oct. 21

The NHL is expanding to 84 games for the 2026-27 NHL season.

There will be no shortage of storylines for the year ahead, with the Carolina Hurricanes raising their Stanley Cup banner, Brady Tkachuk linking up with brother Matthew in Florida and multiple games played in Europe.

Here’s some of the must-see games for the upcoming NHL season.

Make sure to check out Sports Interaction’s complete list of NHL futures.

Sept. 29: Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes (Stanley Cup banner raised)

It’s a battle of the last three Stanley Cup champions. The Carolina Hurricanes will raise their banner against the Florida Panthers, who won the Stanley Cup the previous two seasons. This is a brewing rivalry as Florida also eliminated Carolina in the Eastern Conference Finals in those two years.

Sept. 29: Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs (potential Gavin McKenna debut)

Toronto opens their season at home with an Original Six matchup against the Canadiens. The game is also expected to be the NHL debut of Gavin McKenna, the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft.

Oct. 12: Florida Panthers at Buffalo Sabres (first European primetime game)

A new fixture on the NHL schedule this season will be Monday matinee games (1 p.m. ET). Puck drop will make them primetime games in Europe as the NHL looks to grow their global market.

Oct. 21: Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators (Brady Tkachuk’s return)

The boo birds will descend on the Canadian Tire Centre in late October as former Senators captain Brady Tkachuk make his return to Ottawa for the first time since the blockbuster trade that sent him to Florida.

Oct. 25: Montreal Canadiens at Winnipeg Jets (Heritage Classic)

The Heritage Classic returns for the first time since 2024, with the Jets hosting the Canadiens at Princess Auto Stadium, home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Jets are 1-1-0 all-time in outdoor games, while the Habs are 2-2-0.

Nov. 12 and 14: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Seattle Kraken (Global Series in Finland)

The Hurricanes and Kraken will play two games at Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki, Finland as part of the NHL’s Global Series.

Dec. 18 and 20: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Ottawa Senators (Global Series in Germany)

The Global Series will also travel to Germany, with the Blackhawks and Senators playing two games at PSD Bank Dome in Dusseldorf. It will be a homecoming for Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle, who grew up a half-hour drive away.

Dec. 21: Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights (Stanley Cup Final rematch)

The first Stanley Cup Final rematch of the season between the Hurricanes and Golden Knights is just before the Christmas break at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas, where Carolina clinched the Cup. The teams will also play at Lenovo Center on January 17.

Dec. 31: Colorado Avalanche at Utah Mammoth (Winter Classic)

Fresh off clinching their first playoff berth since relocating to Utah, the Mammoth will host the Avalanche in the Winter Classic on New Year’s Eve. The game will be played at Rice-Eccles Stadium, home of the University of Utah football team.

Feb. 20: Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars (Stadium Series)

The Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium will host a Western Conference heavyweight tilt between the Stars and Golden Knights.

March 6: Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers (Sergei Bobrovsky return)

New Maple Leafs goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky returns to Florida after winning two Stanley Cups with the Panthers. Bobrovsky’s 201 wins with Florida is second in franchise history behind Roberto Luongo (230).