The NHL announced the schedule for the 2025-26 season's opening night on Monday. The Florida Panthers will raise their second-straight Stanley Cup banner against the Chicago Blackhawks, followed by the Pittsburgh Penguins traveling to New York to take on the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Mike Sullivan will coach against the team he coached for the past 10 seasons when the Rangers open the season.

Mike Sullivan won’t have to wait long to be behind the New York Rangers bench and coach against his former team. Sullivan officially begins his tenure as Rangers coach Oct. 7 when they open the 2025-26 season at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden.

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.

Here's a look at several must-see games in 2025-26: For the second straight season the Panthers will raise a Stanley Cup banner, this time against Connor Bedard and Chicago, which has a new coach in Jeff Blashill and seeks to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2020.

The New York Rangers will play their sixth outdoor game during the 2025-26 season, as well as their longest homestand