Panthers, Rangers and Penguins Games Scheduled for 2025 NHL Opening Night Tripleheader

The NHL announced Monday it will open the 2025-26 season with a tripleheader on Oct. 7.

The Florida Panthers will raise their Stanley Cup banner ahead of a matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks at 5 p.m. ET. The Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers (8 p.m.) and Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m.) will follow that.

Heading into the offseason, many assumed Florida would lose at least one key player from its title-winning squad. Instead, general manager Bill Zito found a way to retain forwards Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand and defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

The NHL hasn't seen a successful three-peat since the New York Islanders won the 1983 Stanley Cup Final. History isn't on the Panthers' side.

Opening night will at least be an opportunity for their players to show they remain as hungry as ever.

The Penguins and Rangers both missed the playoffs, and neither has significantly improved this offseason. In the case of Pittsburgh, general manager Kyle Dubas is looking more toward the future.

Still, giving the Penguins a national showcase in their opener makes sense because Sidney Crosby may not have many more left in the Steel City. He'll turn 38 in August, and it's anybody's guess as to how long he'll keep playing. There's even more uncertainty around his status with Pittsburgh, given the organization's general direction.

While nothing looks imminent, Penguins fans will know to savor each of the franchise icon's appearances moving forward.