NHL Opening Week: Schedule Highlights (Oct 7–12, 2025)

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NHL Opening Week (Oct 7–12, 2025)

Hockey’s back, and opening week is loaded with matchups that set the tone for the season. From classic rivalries to banner-raising nights, this is when optimism runs high and every fan can dream big. The ice is fresh, the jerseys are crisp, and storylines are already swirling — from rookies making their debut to veterans chasing history. Whether you’re watching for highlight-reel goals, bad-blood rematches, or just the thrill of the first puck drop, here are the games that matter when the 2025–26 NHL season begins. It’s time for hockey nights again.

NHL Opening Week Schedule

Now, to be completely and totally frank, this is not the entire schedule. It’s a very busy league with too many games in one week to load them all one humble litttle blog posts. However, head on over to nhl.com and you can see the whole thing. Here, at LSF, I’m going to focus on my faves, and the teams I find most interesting.

Opening Week Tuesday

  • Tue, Oct 7 – Blackhawks at Panthers, 5:00 PM ET
    Connor Bedard vs. Florida’s grit is a tasty way to start. Add Brad Marchand’s knack for chaos and you’ve got must-watch TV right out of the gate. And might I add, here at LSF, we love Brad.
  • Tue, Oct 7 – Penguins at Rangers, 8:00 PM ET
    Crosby takes the ice at Madison Square Garden against a Rangers squad that loves the spotlight. Broadway hockey doesn’t get better than this. I’m not a huge fan of the Penguins, but you’d have to be lacking in something to not appreciate Crosby.

Wednesday’s Highlights

  • Wed, Oct 8 – Canadiens at Maple Leafs, 7:00 PM ET
    The opener fans across Canada expect. Leafs Nation will be loud, but never count out the Habs when the stakes are bragging rights.
  • Wed, Oct 8 – Bruins at Capitals, 7:30 PM ET
    Ovechkin chasing history against a Boston team that never makes it easy—circle this one.
  • Wed, Oct 8 – Kings at Golden Knights, 10:00 PM ET
    Vegas knows how to put on a show, and opening night in the desert will be no exception.
  • Wed, Oct 8 – Flames at Oilers, 10:00 PM ET
    Battle of Alberta. Enough said. The best kind of rivalry game, even if it’s only Game 1. But the good news story here is of course, the Connor McDavid has decided to stay with the Oillers, and that makes most of Canada very happy.
  • Thu, Oct 9 – Flames at Canucks, 10:00 PM ET
    Western Canadian firepower late-night. Calgary vs. Vancouver games always come with some bite.

Hockey Night in Canada

  • Sat, Oct 11 – Canadiens at Blackhawks, 7:00 PM ET
    Two storied jerseys, one rink. Bedard vs. the Habs feels like old-school hockey in the best way.
  • Sat, Oct 11 – Capitals at Islanders, 7:00 PM ET
    Ovi on Long Island is always worth a watch. Expect plenty of playoff-style intensity.
  • Sat, Oct 11 – Canucks at Oilers, 10:00 PM ET
    West Coast late-night hockey with McDavid in the mix. Enough said.

Opening Week Sunday

  • Sun, Oct 12 – Capitals at Rangers, 7:00 PM ET
    Ovi takes his chase to Madison Square Garden. If you only tune in once this week, this might be the one.

💡 Closer: That’s opening week in the NHL — packed with rivalries, rookies, and enough drama to keep us glued to the screen. Which matchup are you circling?

Spread the Game Day Vibes 🏈🏒⚾🏀

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