The Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers at 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday to raise their second Stanley Cup banner, opening a season built around a format the league last used more than three decades ago.

Each of the 32 clubs will play 84 games, up from 82, across 194 days. That is 1,344 regular-season games in total, running from September 29 through April 10, 2027.

It is only the second 84-game era in the league’s 109-year history. The first was the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons, before the format was scaled back after the 1994-95 lockout.

The change was locked in by a collective bargaining agreement that owners and the NHLPA agreed in principle in late June 2025 and ratified in July 2025, extending labor peace through 2030.

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Commissioner Gary Bettman said in the ratification statement that “the partnership between the Players’ Association and the League is stronger than it ever has been.”

Two extra games, both inside the division

Every club still finishes with 42 home and 42 away dates. The two additional games land inside the division, giving each team four meetings with each of its seven divisional rivals.

The 84-game grid breaks down as follows:

• 28 divisional games: two home and two away against each of seven division rivals
• 24 conference games outside the division: a mix of two-and-one home/away splits
• 32 inter-conference games: one home and one road against every team in the other conference

That extra divisional load falls unevenly across the league. Pittsburgh draws 15 back-to-backs, the most of any team, while Vegas and Calgary sit on eight apiece.

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A shorter preseason, and lighter warm-ups for veterans

To fit the two extra fixtures without pushing the June playoff window, the league cut the preseason from six games per club to four. Established players get an even lighter runway: anyone with 100 or more NHL games can play a maximum of two exhibitions.

ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro called the format “a long, long road” and said he was watching for how teams settle into a new rhythm.

Tampa Bay forward Jake Guentzel said players “just got to take care of your bodies” with more space between games on the calendar.

Outdoor games, Europe and a packed showcase slate

The calendar carries the biggest slate of showcase events in years. The Heritage Classic is set for Winnipeg on October 25, 2026, the Winter Classic for Salt Lake City on New Year’s Eve, and the Stadium Series for Arlington on February 20, 2027.

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All-Star Weekend heads to UBS Arena on Long Island on February 5-6. Global Series regular-season games are scheduled in Finland (Helsinki, November) and Germany (Düsseldorf, December).

The regular season closes on April 10, 2027.

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