The Carolina Hurricanes’ 2025-26 NHL schedule is about to get started, and it’s a gauntlet built for a contender. With Sebastian Aho at the center of it all and a roster still stacked with talent, the Canes will once again be eyeing a deep postseason push. But the path to get there won’t be easy. From an opening night divisional clash to a punishing stretch of road games after the Olympic break, this schedule will test Carolina’s depth and resilience.
Opening stretch and NC State Fair road trip
The season begins at home on Oct. 9 against the New Jersey Devils, immediately throwing Carolina into a key Metropolitan Division battle. Two nights later, they host Philadelphia before heading out on a six-game, two-week road trip to avoid their annual scheduling conflict with the NC State Fair. That early trip features dates out West, including late-night matchups with San Jose, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Vegas, and Colorado.
Division battles that define the year
As always, the Metro Division is the measuring stick. Carolina will face every rival at least three times, with four games each against the likes of Columbus, New Jersey, the Rangers, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.
Nov. 26 vs. Rangers – Thanksgiving week rivalry game.
Dec. 11 at Washington – Always a feisty trip to D.C.
March 18 vs. Penguins – A clash that could shape playoff positioning.
April 14 at Islanders – Final regular-season divisional matchup, with playoff seeding likely on the line.
Long road trips and homestands
Carolina’s schedule is heavy on stretches. The Canes will endure six trips of at least three games on the road, including a brutal six-game swing from Oct. 14–25 and another four-game trip in early March.
On the flip side, their longest homestand runs seven games from Nov. 26–Dec. 9, giving fans plenty of opportunities to see Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and the rest of the squad in Raleigh.
Holiday games to circle
The Hurricanes are no strangers to spotlight dates, and this season is no different:
Nov. 28 vs. Winnipeg – Black Friday at Lenovo Center.
Dec. 23 vs. Florida – Pre-holiday showdown against the Panthers.
Jan. 1 vs. Montreal – Ring in the New Year with a matinee against the Canadiens.
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Back-to-backs and the Olympic break
The Canes will once again handle a heavy back-to-back load with 15 sets, identical to last season. Last year, they went 16-14 in those situations, so depth scoring and goaltending will be key.
The NHL season also pauses for the 2026 Winter Olympics from Feb. 6–22. Several Hurricanes are expected to skate for their countries, including Aho for Finland and Svechnikov for Russia, before regrouping for the stretch run.
A road-heavy finish
From late February through the end of the season, Carolina plays 15 of their final 25 games on the road. That includes back-to-back division tests in April against Philadelphia and the Islanders. The Canes will need to be sharp away from home if they want to lock up top seeding in the Metro.
The end result
The Hurricanes’ 2025-26 schedule is packed with challenges: early-season travel, heavy January matchups, and a brutal post-Olympic road stretch. But with Aho, Svechnikov, and Jaccob Slavin anchoring one of the league’s most balanced lineups, Carolina is built to weather it. The road to another deep playoff run is laid out, now it’s time to see if the Canes can handle the grind.
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