The regular season might still be a month away, but hardcore hockey fans have some relief: the NHL preseason is just three weeks away. The league has released the official schedule across all home and neutral venues.
Though these games won’t impact regular-season standings, they allow teams to evaluate their newest signings while giving fans a preview of fresh talent. More importantly, these matchups let coaches experiment with line combinations and assess which players deserve roster spots when the games start counting.
When Will the NHL Preseason Begin This September?
According to the league’s schedule, there will be 104 games played, with each franchise playing between six and eight games. The opening game will be on September 20, with the Dallas Stars hosting the St. Louis Blues.
The final preseason game is on October 4, when the Utah Mammoth host the San Jose Sharks. While all 32 teams will host at least one home game, the league has also designated eight neutral venues for some contests.
With 76 of these 104 games happening throughout September, featuring multiple games on the same day, fans get a daily dose of hockey before the season officially starts on October 7. This schedule creates nearly three weeks of continuous action, building anticipation for what promises to be an exciting 2025-26 campaign.
How Are Last Year’s Top Four Teams Preparing for 2025-26?
1. Florida Panthers
The reigning Stanley Cup champions will play their first and second preseason games on September 21. With the Panthers and the Nashville Predators splitting their squads into two groups, head coach Paul Maurice will have a better opportunity to evaluate his roster.
The first game is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, followed by the second at 7 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena. With the Panthers boasting one of the deepest offensive groups in the league, the split-squad format gives Maurice a chance to evaluate which players best fit into the team’s top six forward lines.
2. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers will face the Calgary Flames in two matches on September 21, just like their Stanley Cup Finals opponents in Florida. With both franchises splitting their squads for one home and away game, it will give the Oilers their chance to evaluate their weak points.
The Oilers’ goaltending struggles were exposed by the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals. These preseason matchups also give them the chance to address their concerns against their cross-province rivals, the Flames. A strong showing in the “Battle of Alberta” will give the Oilers the mental edge heading into the regular season.
3. Dallas Stars
With head coach Peter DeBoer fired after the Stars’ loss to the Oilers, GM Jim Nill appointed Glenn Gulutzan as their new head coach. The Stars will have the chance to test their defensive depth in their first game against the Blues on September 20.
With the team remaining mostly unchanged, Dallas will depend on its front three of Mikko Rantanen, Matt Duchene, and Jason Robertson to lead their attack. The trio will need to be consistent, and goalie Jake Oettinger will need to elevate his performance in high-stakes games if Dallas wants to make another deep playoff run.
4. Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes will host the Tampa Bay Lightning at PNC Arena, now known as Lenovo Center, on September 22. With the recent acquisition of Nikolaj Ehlers as a free agent, the Hurricanes will ensure that their offense improves this season compared to their 2024-25 campaign.
The preseason match against the Lightning will offer them a chance to test their improved offense and defense after bringing in K’Andre Miller on the back line. With Tampa being a regular playoff contender, the Hurricanes can address their offensive depth and inconsistent goaltending against quality competition that mirrors what they’ll face once the regular season begins.
