RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – After falling short once again during last year’s postseason run, the Carolina Hurricanes bolstered their squad through free agency over the summer, but will this revamped roster translate to wins on the ice?
The National Hockey League unveiled the 2025-26 schedules for every team on Wednesday, including the Hurricanes.
Carolina opens regular season play at the Lenovo Center against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, Oct. 9.
This past season, the Canes secured a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the seventh straight year, closing with a 47-30-5 overall record and 99 points.
Carolina rounded off the 2024-25 campaign with a second-place finish in the Metropolitan Division, trailing the Washington Capitals with 111 points. Both teams eventually squared off in the second round of the playoffs, which ended with the Canes defeating the Caps in five games.
For the first time in more than a decade, the NHL is pausing in the winter to send players to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The break runs from Feb. 6 through Feb. 24, with league play resuming on Feb. 25.
The Hurricanes wrap up the regular season with a four-game road trip from April 9 through April 14.
Click here to look at the full schedule.
Key dates for Carolina Hurricanes’ 2025-26 schedule
Opening at home: The Hurricanes start the year at home for the eighth time in the past nine seasons. Carolina came away victorious in four of its last five season openers in front of the home crowd.
Saturday night in Raleighwood: Carolina plays host to 10 Saturday games at the Lenovo Center this year. The Hurricanes held seven of these types of weekend home games during the 2024-25 season, finishing with a 4-3-0 record.
Metro matchups: The Hurricanes face off against the Washington Capitals (Nov. 11, Dec. 11, Jan. 31) and New York Islanders (Oct. 30, Apr. 4, Apr. 14) only three times in 2025-26. Carolina plays four games against each of their other rivals in the Metropolitan Division, which includes the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Taking a stand: Carolina is slated to hold seven games in a row at the Lenovo Center, beginning on Nov. 26 before concluding its stretch of home games on Dec. 9. This marks the franchise’s longest home stand since playing eight consecutive games in April 2021.
Home for the Holidays: The Hurricanes have games at home before and after the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays this year. Matchups with the New York Rangers (Nov. 26) and Winnipeg Jets (Nov. 28) fall on either side of Thanksgiving. The team’s final game at the Lenovo Center prior to Christmas break will be against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers (Dec. 23). Following the break, the Hurricanes return to action with the Detroit Red Wings (Dec. 27) coming into town.
Happy New Year: Carolina welcomes the Montreal Canadiens on New Year’s Day, only the franchise’s second home game ever held on Jan. 1. The Hurricanes boast a 5-2-1 all-time record in New Year’s Day matchups, and remain unbeaten (4-0-1) since relocating to North Carolina.
Taking on the champs: Carolina and Florida battle on the ice over the course of three games (Dec. 19, Dec. 23, Jan. 16) this year. The Hurricanes ultimately fell in the 2025 Eastern Conference Final as the Panthers eliminated Carolina for the second time in three seasons, clinching the series in five games.
Going back-to-back: The Hurricanes play back-to-back games on 15 occasions in the 2025-26 season. They participated in the same number one year ago, posting a 16-14-0 record in those contests.