What time do the Hurricanes play the Panthers on NHL 2026-27 opening night?
The Hurricanes open the 2026-27 NHL regular season against the Panthers on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Game time and broadcast
The NHL lists Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers for 5 p.m. ET at Lenovo Center. The game is part of the U.S. ESPN opening-night tripleheader.
Carolina is also scheduled to raise its second Stanley Cup championship banner before the game.
Other opening-night games
The NHL also listed these Sept. 29 matchups:
| Matchup | Network context |
|---|---|
| Canadiens at Maple Leafs | Opening night |
| Rangers at Bruins | Opening night |
| Canucks at Oilers | Opening night |
| Blackhawks at Golden Knights | Opening night |
The broader opening night includes a U.S. ESPN tripleheader and a Canadian Sportsnet doubleheader.
Before you make plans
Schedules and broadcast details can shift, so check NHL.com again closer to Sept. 29, 2026 if you are planning around puck drop or TV coverage.
How does TNT’s first NHL coverage night compare with opening night?
TNT’s first NHL coverage night comes one day after the 2026-27 regular season begins.
The basic difference
Opening night is Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. The NHL says that night includes a U.S. ESPN tripleheader and a Canadian Sportsnet doubleheader.
TNT’s first coverage night is Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Matchups listed for each night
| Date | Coverage note | Games named by the NHL |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Sept. 29 | Opening night on ESPN and Sportsnet | Hurricanes at Panthers, Canadiens at Maple Leafs, Rangers at Bruins, Canucks at Oilers, Blackhawks at Golden Knights |
| Wednesday, Sept. 30 | TNT’s first coverage night | Penguins at Flyers, Kings at Avalanche |
The Hurricanes-Panthers game is listed for 5 p.m. ET at Lenovo Center on ESPN.
What to watch for
The provided NHL announcement gives the dates, networks, and listed games, but it does not include every broadcast detail for every matchup in this summary. If you are checking a specific local viewing option, use the NHL schedule page as the official reference.
Sources / Learn more
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