NHL Schedules Perfect Send-Off for Penguins Legend Evgeni Malkin

Give credit to the NHL, mid-July is as good a time as any to unveil a full schedule. Most big offseason narratives are done by now, with the exception of trade rumors, so it's the best time to get into the 2025-26 schedule.

This year's schedule does have a twist: an 18-day Olympic break in February when NHL players return to action at the Winter Games in Milan, Italy.

More dramatic changes are on tap the following season with an 84-game slate, but for now, let fans circle some highlight dates on the current model.

The season gets underway on October 7th with a tripleheader. First up, Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks play host to the Florida Panthers, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, at 5 p.m. ET.

That is followed by Penguins-Rangers, the two teams always heated when they face each other, at 8 p.m. ET. It will be extra dramatic as Mike Sullivan will be making his Rangers debut as head coach.

The night caps off with Avalanche-Kings, a matchup of skillful teams with two rosters that should make the playoffs

April 11 is set to be the final Penguins home game, which is very significant in the fact that Evgeni Malkin always wanted to wear the number 11 when he started his pro career, but ended up settling for number 71.

April 12 is set to be the potential farewell of Evgeni Malkin. One of the season's most significant games will be when the Penguins play the Capitals in Washington.

It may be Evgeni Malkin's last regular-season game, perhaps accompanied by longtime veterans such as Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang.

On the opposite side would be Alex Ovechkin, and this would signal the final chapter of one of the NHL's signature rivalries of the past 20 years. Although both squads are in transition, it's a moment that cannot be overlooked.