Let’s talk opening night: October 7.
The Florida Panthers, back-to-back Stanley Cup champs, will raise their second banner in front of a roaring home crowd as they kick off the season against the Chicago Blackhawks. That game? It's not just about the banner. It's about sending a message. Can Florida go back-to-back-to-back? Is a threepeat even possible in the modern NHL? That storyline alone is worth watching all season.
And if you thought that was enough excitement for one week—think again.
Just one day later on October 8, the legend himself, Alex Ovechkin, kicks off his 21st NHL season when the Washington Capitals host the Boston Bruins. The kicker? Ovi’s already at 897 career goals, having shattered Wayne Gretzky’s legendary 894. Now at age 40, he’s not just chasing numbers — he’s cementing a legacy no one thought possible.
Could he hit 900 goals early in the season? The math checks out — especially considering the Capitals visit the New York Islanders on Oct. 11, the very same building where he netted goal No. 895 to eclipse Gretzky. That’s a full-circle moment if there ever was one.
🔥 What to Watch in 2025-26:
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Alex Ovechkin’s 900-goal milestone chase
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Florida Panthers' threepeat attempt
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New team identity in Utah
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NHL players returning to the Olympics
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Farewell to the 82-game era
Speaking of new beginnings, let’s head out West. The NHL’s Salt Lake City squad, formerly the Arizona Coyotes, is skating into the season with a fresh identity: the Utah Mammoth. On October 9, they’ll make their debut under the new name against Colorado, embracing their mountain-state roots with a rugged new brand. Last season, they played as the placeholder “Utah Hockey Club,” but now the Mammoth are ready to roar — and possibly shake up the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, fans can celebrate the return of something they've desperately missed: the Olympics.
For the first time in over a decade, the NHL will pause mid-season to allow players to represent their countries in the 2026 Winter Games in Milan. The league-wide break will run from February 6 to 24, with games resuming on February 25. The last time NHL stars hit the Olympic ice was way back in 2014 in Sochi — so expect massive global viewership and a supercharged level of competition.
This was made possible by the recent CBA agreement, which also has provisions for NHL player participation in the 2030 Winter Olympics, as long as deals with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) hold up.
📅 Key Dates to Remember:
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Oct. 7 – Season opener: Panthers vs. Blackhawks
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Oct. 8 – Ovechkin starts Season 21 vs. Bruins
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Oct. 9 – Utah Mammoth make debut vs. Colorado
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Feb. 6-24 – Olympic break (Milan 2026)
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April 16 – Regular season finale
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Late April – June – Stanley Cup Playoffs
What makes this season even more gripping is that every game counts. With the 84-game format set to launch in 2026-27, teams are going to approach this season with a unique urgency. Coaches will be watching player workloads. GMs might hold off on aggressive trades until they know how the Olympic break affects performance. And players? They’ll be trying to write their names in the books before the structure changes forever.
The New York trip for the Capitals is going to be a mini-circus, and in the best way. After the Islanders game on the 11th, they roll into Madison Square Garden on October 12 to face the Rangers. If Ovechkin hasn’t hit 900 by then, you can bet that game will be standing-room-only.
And don’t sleep on the Panthers. They’ve somehow managed to keep the core of their championship roster intact. Led by a nasty top line, a deep blue line, and some of the grittiest forechecking in the game, they’re not just a Cup contender — they’re the Cup standard right now. Can any Eastern Conference squad derail them?
🧊 Bonus Ice Chips:
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The increase from 1,312 to 1,344 total games next season means more late-season drama and stat-chasing.
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Expect a jam-packed trade deadline around mid-March, especially with players returning from the Olympics.
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New travel dynamics: With Utah’s team now firmly planted, the Western Conference schedule has some fresh wrinkles. Fans in Denver and Vegas, especially, should keep an eye on those matchups.
There’s a unique buzz surrounding this season. It’s not just a schedule drop — it’s the feeling of an ending and a beginning all at once. The final 82-game ride for the NHL. A moment of transition where fans get one last taste of the format they’ve known for decades, while the league gets ready to break new ground.
So whether you’re cheering from the stands, watching from your couch, or keeping tabs on your fantasy squad — don’t blink. The 2025-26 NHL season might just go down as one of the most iconic in league history.
Let’s drop the puck.
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