Takeaways, important dates from Bruins' 2025-26 regular season schedule originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Bruins are hoping for a bounce back during the 2025-26 NHL season.
After reaching the playoffs in eight consecutive years, the Bruins not only failed to quality last season, they also finished tied for the fourth-worst record in the league. Injuries, lackluster goaltending and a lack of scoring depth were among the issues that plagued the B’s.
The Bruins have not yet made any major upgrades to their roster this offseason. General manager Don Sweeney signed a bunch of bottom-six forwards in free agency and traded for middle-six left wing Viktor Arvidsson. The most notable offseason change for the Bruins was the hiring of Marco Sturm as the new head coach.
A fast start to the 2025-26 season would be very helpful for the Bruins as far as building some momentum that can propel them back to the playoffs. The B’s have typically been a fast-starting team. They went 10-2-0 to begin 2022-23 and 10-1-1 to start 2023-24. But last season, a lackluster 8-9-3 start cost Jim Montgomery his job as head coach.
All 32 teams announced their 2025-26 regular season schedule Wednesday afternoon.
A fast start in 2025-26 could be a bit of a challenge for the Bruins since 14 of their first 21 games are against teams that made the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a season-opening matchup Oct. 8 versus the Washington Capitals on the road.
Let’s take a look at some key dates and takeaways from the Bruins’ 82-game slate.
Home opener
The Bruins’ first game at TD Garden is scheduled for Oct. 9 against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks were the Bruins’ home opener opponent for the 2023-24 campaign, too.
Black Friday matinee
The Black Friday matinee returns to TD Garden on Nov. 28 when the Bruins host the rival New York Rangers. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
2026 Stadium Series
The Bruins will play another outdoor game, this time against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 1 as part of the 2026 Stadium Series. Raymond James Stadium, where the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers play, will be the venue.
Rivalry matchups
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY SportsThe Bruins’ best rivalry right now is with the Toronto Maple Leafs. These two Original Six franchises have met in the playoffs four times in the last 13 years, and most recently in 2024. But with the Montreal Canadiens becoming a playoff-caliber team again, maybe the classic Bruins-Canadiens rivalry will get re-ignited this season. It’s been too long since Boston and Montreal had true animosity, and they haven’t squared off in the playoffs since 2014.
The Panthers have become the Bruins’ newest rivals after two hard-fought playoff series in 2023 and 2024. Brad Marchand’s presence on the Panthers could take this rivalry to a new level.
Toronto Maple Leafs
- Nov. 8 at Toronto
- Nov. 11 at Boston
- March 24 at Boston
Montreal Canadiens
- Nov. 15 at Montreal
- Dec. 23 at Boston
- Jan. 24 at Boston
- March 17 at Montreal
Florida Panthers
- Oct. 21 at Boston
- Feb. 4 at Florida
- April 2 at Florida
Reunions
Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesBrad Marchand: Oct. 21
Marchand is one of the best players in Bruins history and likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He was injured and did not play in the only Panthers-Bruins matchup at TD Garden after last season’s trade deadline.
We can expect Marchand to receive a raucous ovation in his first game back next season.
Charlie Coyle: Feb. 26
Coyle was acquired by the Bruins during the 2018-19 season and played in Boston until he was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche on trade deadline day back in March. He was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this month. Coyle grew up in Weymouth, Mass., and played college hockey at Boston University. He’s a local favorite and should receive a great ovation when he returns.
Brandon Carlo: Nov. 11
The Bruins selected Carlo in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft, and he played a significant role on their blue line for many years before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in March.
2026 Winter Olympics break
Winslow Townson-Imagn ImagesNHL players will compete in the men’s ice hockey competition at the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014. As a result, the league will shut down for about three weeks. The Bruins’ final game before the Olympic break is Feb. 4 versus the Panthers. They will resume their schedule Feb. 26 against the Blue Jackets.
Due to the Olympic break, there will be no All-Star Game this season.
Longest road trip
The Bruins’ longest road trip is five games, and it features a swing through Western Canada.
- Dec. 27 at Buffalo Sabres
- Dec. 29 at Calgary Flames
- Dec. 31 at Edmonton Oilers
- Jan. 3 at Vancouver Canucks
- Jan. 6 at Seattle Kraken
The Bruins also have two four-game road trips.
The first includes a swing through California:
- Nov. 19 at Anaheim Ducks
- Nov. 21 at Los Angeles Kings
- Nov. 23 at San Jose Sharks
- Nov. 26 at New York Islanders
The second is in April:
- April 2 at Florida Panthers
- April 4 at Tampa Bay Lightning
- April 5 at Philadelphia Flyers
- April 7 at Carolina Hurricanes
Regular season finale
For the second straight year, the Bruins will close out the regular season against the New Jersey Devils at TD Garden.