Since the NHL expanded the 2026-27 season to 84 games, the Florida Panthers will play an extra road game this season, only the second time in franchise history they will be part of an 84-game schedule. Although one game won’t drastically alter the overall schedule, it does give the makers a chance to extend some road trips here and there, ensuring the logistics all make sense.
Today, we want to take a deeper dive into the Panthers' 2026-27 schedule and discuss their four road trips of four or more games. Out of all their road trips listed on the schedule, they play a single game on three occasions, meaning that when they leave home, they will go for at least two or three contests. Interestingly, those four extended road trips could go a long way toward defining the Panthers' season.
Panthers begin the season in California
The Panthers new-look roster has a chance to build chemistry immediately.
After watching the Carolina Hurricanes raise their Stanley Cup on September 29, the Panthers will board a plane, travel across the United States, and land in San Jose for an October 1 meeting. Despite having Macklin Celebrini and second-overall pick Ivar Stenberg in their lineup, there are a lot of new faces and not much time to gel, so no one knows for sure how good the Sharks will be in 2026-27.
Three nights later, the Panthers venture down to Anaheim to face the Ducks on October 4. Although the Ducks were a playoff team last year, they've had one of the NHL's craziest offseasons, featuring a Leo Carlsson offer sheet and match. However, Bleacher Report thinks they are destined to regress this year, which brings us to Florida's next opponent, the Los Angeles Kings.
The Kings enter the season with a new coach, Peter Laviolette, and plenty of questions about an aging core, making this a favorable matchup for Florida before the team returns home for its opener.
Florida heads north to Canada to bring October to a close
It will be an emotional return to Ottawa for Brady Tkachuk.
On October 21, the Panthers will head to Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, to play the Senators, Brady Tkachuk’s former team. As a highly anticipated matchup on the schedule, this will be one everyone tunes in to see how much has changed between the two clubs.
On the very next night, Florida will jet down to Pittsburgh to play the ageless Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. Considering the deep history between the two clubs, it will be interesting if the Penguins are still a playoff team like last season.
Then, on October 25, the Panthers will land in the Windy City to visit the Chicago Blackhawks, who will be without Connor Bedard, who will still be recovering from shoulder surgery, giving the visitors a chance at an easy two points before heading back into Canada.
Two nights later, Florida will challenge the Winnipeg Jets and Connor Hellebuyck, whether or not he’s still in their lineup. Considering he was linked to the Panthers early in the offseason, it will be fascinating to watch the two sides meet again.
Panthers can begin January 2027 with a bang
Longest Western Conference road trip of the season provides plenty of chances to pile up points.
The Panthers have a game on New Year’s Day against the Nashville Predators and then the very next night against the Montreal Canadiens. Then, the club will go on a season-high five-game road trip to the West Coast again.
On paper, the schedule appears favorable, with several opponents expected to be outside the Western Conference playoff picture, including the Calgary Flames (January 5) and Vancouver Canucks (January 9). The only elite team at the beginning of the trip is the Edmonton Oilers, but considering the turmoil surrounding the Oilers these days, there’s a chance the Panthers earn at least five points in those three games.
On the way back to Florida, the Panthers will visit the Seattle Kraken and then meet up with the Minnesota Wild on January 14 to end the trip. As mentioned, only the Oilers and Wild are expected to be competitive this season, giving the Panthers a chance to make a dent in the standings with a brilliant road trip.
Florida can throw a wrench into the Atlantic Division standings
The last long trip of the year has direct playoff seeding implications.
The Panthers’ final five-game road trip of the season is a gauntlet of Atlantic Division foes, featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs (March 15), Canadiens (March 16), Senators (March 18), Buffalo Sabres (March 20), and Tampa Bay Lightning (March 23).
Last year, while Florida battled through injuries, the Sabres and Canadiens hopped up into the top spots in the division, joining the Lightning, a team usually among the Eastern Conference’s best. Now, with a rejuvenated lineup, the Panthers could shake up the standings with a solid road trip through the northeast in the final month of the season.
Of course, any matchups against the Senators will be must-watch TV for the foreseeable future. After departing Canada for the final time in the regular season, at least the Panthers have a few nights to rest before hopping across the state to play the Lightning for the final time.
If the Panthers hope to remain among the Eastern Conference's elite, they'll likely need to make the most of these four extended road trips. Accounting for 18 games and 21.4% of their season, these particular matchups could have a significant impact on Florida's final position in the standings.
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