The NHL is back tonight, September 29, with a packed opening night featuring five games and plenty of storylines to follow. The 2026–27 season officially gets underway with the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers, with Carolina also celebrating its second Stanley Cup championship by raising its banner. (NHL)

The action continues with several classic matchups. The Montreal Canadiens visit the Toronto Maple Leafs in an Original Six showdown, while the New York Rangers travel to Boston to face the Bruins. The Rangers enter the new season looking to improve after missing the playoffs in each of the previous two seasons. (New York Post)

Later tonight, the Vancouver Canucks take on the Edmonton Oilers in a Pacific Division matchup, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks visiting the Vegas Golden Knights.

With the league expanding to an 84-game schedule for each team this season, tonight marks the beginning of a new chapter across the NHL. (NHL)

From championship celebrations to Original Six rivalries and divisional battles, opening night gives hockey fans plenty to watch as the race toward the Stanley Cup begins.