NHL 2026-27 Preseason Schedule Officially Released

Preseason Kickoff and Key Changes The NHL preseason for the 2026-27 season is set to officially begin on September 19 and run through September 26. This year brings a major change to the schedule: the total number of preseason games has been reduced to just 65, down from over 100 in previous seasons. This adjustment comes as part of a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NHLPA, aimed at extending the regular season to 84 games — the highest number in NHL history.

The longer regular season poses a significant physical and mental challenge for players and will require teams to make professional adjustments. However, the reduction in preseason games is designed to ease the workload and provide teams with more focused, quality preparation time ahead of the regular season opener. This move highlights the league’s shift in priorities, placing greater emphasis on the regular season — the beating heart of the competition.

Special Games at Neutral Sites One of the most exciting events of the preseason will take place on September 21, when the Montreal Canadiens host the Ottawa Senators at the Videotron Coliseum in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. This event is part of the celebrations for the city of Saint-Boniface’s win of the 2025 Kraft Hockeyville title — a competition aimed at promoting hockey in smaller communities and bringing special events to them.

In addition to the Quebec game, three more preseason matchups will be held at neutral venues across the U.S.: the Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights in Ontario, California; the Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals in Hershey, Pennsylvania; and the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Nashville Predators in Greensboro, North Carolina. These neutral-site games offer communities that have never hosted an NHL game a chance to experience the unique atmosphere of the league, helping to grow hockey’s popularity nationwide.

Summary and Key Dates The preseason wraps up on September 26 with a busy slate of 14 games, just days before the regular season begins on September 29. Notable preseason openers include Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers, and Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild.

The schedule changes — fewer preseason games and a longer regular season — reflect the league’s goal to balance player health with delivering a rich, exciting viewing experience for fans. On one hand, fewer preseason games allow teams to focus on tactical and physical preparation for a demanding season; on the other, the extended regular season raises the level of competition and creates more marquee matchups between top teams.

In conclusion, the 2026-27 NHL preseason promises fans a variety of unique and diverse matchups alongside strategic schedule changes that could impact how teams prepare and perform throughout the season. Moreover, the neutral-site games provide new communities the opportunity to connect with the world’s premier hockey league, strengthening the NHL’s position as a leading sport in North America.