The NHL announced its 2025-26 schedule on Wednesday, featuring 1,312 games slated from October 7 through April 16, leading into the Stanley Cup playoffs. Starting with the 2026-27 season, the league will increase to 1,344 games, as all 32 teams will play 84 games each, marking an expanded slate for fans to enjoy.
Before that expansion, the next season promises to deliver a compelling mix of new talent and milestone pursuits, including the ongoing Alex Ovechkin milestone chase as he edges closer to 900 career goals during his final year under contract with the Washington Capitals.
Rookie Spotlight: Matthew Schaefer’s Potential NHL Debut
Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 overall pick, faces uncertainty about making the New York Islanders’ roster out of training camp. Should Schaefer secure a spot, he is expected to make his NHL debut on October 9 in Pittsburgh against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. Schaefer, who will turn 18 just before the season opener, could mirror the recent path of Connor Bedard, the 2023 Calder Trophy winner, who also started his NHL career on the road facing Crosby.
At 38 years old, Crosby enters his 21st NHL season, continuing to be a prominent figure in the league as new prospects like Schaefer emerge.
Full Team Engagement Marks Early Season Milestones
The defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, will celebrate raising their second consecutive championship banner during an opening night tripleheader on October 7. Shortly after, October 11 will feature all 32 teams playing 16 games in a single day, a format repeated later on October 28 with staggered start times spanning from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. EDT.
The closing three Saturdays of the season will also continue the trend of heavy game activity with 15 games each, ensuring abundant action for hockey enthusiasts.
Highlighting Special NHL Events Across the Season
This season includes notable special events such as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators competing in back-to-back games in Stockholm on November 14 and 16. The New York Rangers will face the Boston Bruins in the “Thanksgiving Showdown” on Black Friday, November 28.
The league’s Winter Classic will be played in Florida for the first time, with the Florida Panthers hosting the Rangers at Miami Marlins’ ballpark on January 2, featuring a retractable roof. Additionally, the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins in the Stadium Series at the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL’s Buccaneers’ home stadium roughly a month later, promising an open-air spectacle.
The Islanders’ UBS Arena is expected to host a pre-Olympic sendoff event on February 6, coinciding with the season’s pause for the Milan Winter Games. This event replaces the traditional All-Star festivities, which are being reimagined after the popular 4 Nations Face-Off tournament held in February.
Alex Ovechkin Nears 900 Goals in Final Season with Capitals
Alex Ovechkin is closing in on an extraordinary career milestone, needing only three goals to reach 900 following his record-breaking achievement in April when he surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goal record. At 40 years old, Ovechkin is in the final season of his current contract with the Washington Capitals and has not ruled out playing beyond his 21st NHL season.
The 81st game of this season for Ovechkin will be against Sidney Crosby in Washington, while the final game will take place in Columbus against the Blue Jackets, where he originally made his NHL debut in 2005.
Meanwhile, Crosby is 13 points short of joining the league’s elite group of nine players to surpass 1,700 career points, while Ovechkin would enter this exclusive club as the 10th if he amasses 77 more points. Additionally, Connor McDavid, the three-time MVP and dominant scorer for Edmonton, is 18 points away from 1,100 career points, and his teammate Leon Draisaitl needs 53 points to reach the 1,000-point milestone.
“Schaefer would be the second top pick in three years to start his pro career against Crosby on the road. Chicago’s Connor Bedard also did so in 2023 on the way to winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.” —Unnamed source
“The finale is at Columbus against the Blue Jackets, against whom Ovechkin debuted in 2005.” —Unnamed source
Significance of the Season’s Milestone and Rivalries
The 2025-26 NHL season stands as an important chapter, driven by Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of the 900-goal milestone, which redefines the benchmarks of accomplishment in hockey history. This pursuit, combined with emerging young stars like Matthew Schaefer and the ongoing excellence of veterans such as Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, emphasizes the league’s blend of legacy and future potential.
Special events, increased game schedules, and unique matchups enhance the appeal, while the season‘s milestones will capture fan attention and shape narratives as players continue to etch their names into NHL history.