The NHL returned last night with three marquee matchups that set the tone for the 2025–26 campaign.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers raised their banner before facing the Chicago Blackhawks and their 20-year-old phenom Connor Bedard — a clash between the league’s present and its promising future. Over in New York, the Rangers hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins in a storyline-packed Eastern Conference showdown. And in Los Angeles, veteran Kings captain Anze Kopitar began his farewell season against the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche, a team eager to return to its championship form.
The action continues throughout October, as each of the league’s 32 teams hosts its home opener. Highlights include the Battle of Alberta (Oilers vs. Flames), the Original Six showdown between the Maple Leafs and Canadiens, and Vegas welcoming L.A. to the desert.
From rookies on the rise to legends taking one last lap, the league’s 108th season is bringing the intensity from the first faceoff.
