Canes to raise Stanley Cup banner in season opener against Panthers

The Carolina Hurricanes will open the 2026-2027 season and raise their Stanley Cup championship banner on Sept. 29 against a familiar foe.

The Canes will begin their defense of the Stanley Cup against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center with a 5 p.m. puck drop. The earlier-than-usual start time is because the game will be the first of a tripleheader to air on ESPN. 

The Panthers defeated the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final in 2023 and 2025, winning their second-straight Stanley Cup after the latter occasion.

The complete NHL regular season schedule will be released on Thursday afternoon.

The NHL will expand from 82 to 84 regular-season games, starting this season. The move adds two more divisional games for each team.