The Chicago Blackhawks will go on the road to play the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers as part of the NHL’s season-opening tripleheader Oct. 7. The game will kick off ESPN’s slate at 4 p.m., with the New York Rangers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7 and the Los Angeles Kings hosting the Colorado Avalanche at 9:30.

On Monday, the NHL announced that the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will kick off their 2025-26 season and raise their second straight banner into the rafters when they host the Chicago Blackhawks at Amerant Bank Arena on Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. ET.