Full Carolina Hurricanes NHL schedule released. Key games, dates and rematches
The Carolina Hurricanes learned Wednesday who their opponent would be in their home opener: the Florida Panthers, on Sept. 29 at Lenovo Center.
The Canes will raise their Stanley Cup championship banner before the 5 p.m. game and the arena will be full and loud as the two best teams in the league over the past three seasons go at it.
Now, the rest of the story.
The NHL released its complete schedule Thursday for the 2026-27 season. The schedule will be longer with the advent of an 84-game season in the NHL.
To be remembered: the year after winning the 2006 Cup, the Canes did not make the playoffs in 2007. Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour is sure to remind his team about what can happen, that nothing can be taken for granted.
Here’s a look at what else the Canes have in store:
When is the rematch with Vegas?
The Canes topped the Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final, winning Game 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to take possession of the Cup. The two will tangle for the first time this season on Dec. 21, in Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights travel to Lenovo Center on Sunday, Jan. 17.
Heading back to Finland
The Hurricanes will take part in the 2026 NHL Global Series Finland, going to Helsinki for two regular-season games against the Seattle Kraken on Nov. 12 and Nov. 14 in Veikkaus Arena.
The Canes last visited Finland to begin the 2010-11 season, twice beating the Minnesota Wild. Watching those games was a young Sebastian Aho, who won’t just be watching this time.
When does Frederik Andersen make his Raleigh return?
Goaltender Frederik Andersen, who won 13 games in the Canes’ drive to the Cup, left in free agency to sign a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers.
Andersen and the Oilers will play at Lenovo Center on Nov. 21, when those “Fred-die!” chants should again be heard.
The Canes play at Edmonton on Oct. 22.
Another NC State Fair trip
Ah yes, the N.C. State Fair, which leads to the Canes’ first extended road trip. The fair is scheduled Oct. 15-Oct 25 this year, meaning the Canes can squeeze in four home games before leaving for the annual hiatus.
After Florida, the Canes play Washington in the second game, then Vancouver and Washington again at Lenovo Center before the trip West for five games.
The longest homestands
The Canes will have two five-game homestands — the first in early December, then five straight games stretched across the Feb. 5-6 break for the NHL All-Star Game.
On the road again
While the State Fair trip is the longest of the season, the Canes will play eight of nine games on the road in late March and early April.
First will be a trip to Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose and Dallas, a home game March 25 against Dallas, then road games at Pittsburgh, New Jersey, the New York Islanders and Detroit.
Carolina Hurricanes complete schedule
This story was originally published July 16, 2026 at 1:25 PM with the headline "Full Carolina Hurricanes NHL schedule released. Key games, dates and rematches."
