The two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers take on the Chicago Blackhawks in an opening night triple-header to launch the 2025 NHL regular-season, the league announced Monday.

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.

Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan will get his first meeting against his former team out of the way early. The NHL unveiled its three-game Opening Night slate for the 2025-26 season on Monday, revealing that the Blueshirts will take on the Penguins in their first game of the season on Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.