Lightning await 2025-26 schedule as NHL announces Opening Night tripleheader

The Lightning are set to find out their full schedule for the 2025-26 NHL regular season on Wednesday, July 16, at 1 p.m. ET. Last year, the Bolts opened the 2024-'25 regular season on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes as the Tampa Bay Area was reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton. The home-opener was eventually rescheduled.

While we wait on the new schedule, the NHL has announced that the 2025-26 regular season will open on Tuesday, Oct. 7 with a tripleheader broadcast.

The Chicago Blackhawks will take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at 5 p.m. ET. Before puck drop, the Panthers will raise their second championship banner in a ceremony at Amerant Bank Arena.

The action continues at 8 p.m. ET as the Pittsburgh Penguins face the New York Rangers in a Metropolitan Division showdown at Madison Square Garden.

Capping off the night, the Colorado Avalanche will visit the Los Angeles Kings for a Western Conference battle at Crypto.com Arena, with puck drop set for 10:30 p.m. ET.

NHL Network will broadcast a special one-hour edition of NHL Tonight to cover the schedule release, hosted by Jamison Coyle, Mike Rupp, and E.J. Hradek. The special will also be available for streaming on NHL.com.

Lightning will visit Canadiens on Dec 9

The Lightning’s full schedule for the 2025-26 NHL regular-season is set to be released on Wednesday, July 16, at 1 p.m. ET.

According to THNs’ Karine Hains, the Lightning will visit Montreal for the first time on December 9. The Canadiens are expected to be a team to watch this season after returning to the postseason for the first time since their 2021 Stanley Cup Final run, where they were defeated by the Lightning. 

While we wait on the new schedule, the NHL has announced that the 2025-26 regular season will open on Tuesday, Oct. 7 with a tripleheader broadcast. All games will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN if you're in the U.S. 

The Chicago Blackhawks will take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at 5 p.m. ET. Before puck drop, the Panthers will raise their second championship banner in a ceremony at Amerant Bank Arena.

The action continues at 8 p.m. ET as the  Pittsburgh Penguins face the New York Rangers in a Metropolitan Division showdown at Madison Square Garden.

Capping off the night, the Colorado Avalanche will visit the Colorado Avalanche for a Western Conference battle at Crypto.com Arena, with puck drop set for 10:30 p.m. ET.