The Florida Panthers will play 84 games for only the second time in franchise history in 2026-27, providing fans with a chance to see their favorite team two more times than the usual 82-game schedule that the league has run with for more than two decades. On Thursday, the NHL announced the schedules of all 32 teams, giving everyone plenty to talk about, whether it’s Saturday marquee matchups, outdoor games, or even rivalry games against old teammates.
Considering we are still more than two months away from the first game of the season, fans will spend the time between now and then dissecting the schedule, calculating travel miles, and who knows what else to figure out who has the easiest or toughest schedules. Today, we want to discuss the top five games to circle on your Panthers 2026-27 schedule.
5. March 9, 2027 vs New Jersey Devils
By the time the season hits the final stretch, the Panthers will finally play the New Jersey Devils, giving the two teams a chance to see who is the early winner of the Jacob Markström trade. In late June, Florida reacquired the 36-year-old, whom they drafted back in 2008. Now in the twilight of his NHL career, Markström will face his old team twice in the final weeks of the 2026-27 season. Eager to show he’s still got plenty of gas in the tank, fans will see which of his teams are in a playoff spot or not by early March.
4. February 3, 2027 vs Washington Capitals
Many fans wondered if the NHL’s greatest goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin, would retire following the 2025-26 season. However, the Washington Capitals made some big moves in the early off-season, retooling their lineup to ensure they are Stanley Cup contenders. Ovechkin decided to sign for another season, his 22nd, with hopes of winning another championship. If The Great 8 retires in 2027, his final appearance in Sunrise will be in early February.
3. September 29, 2026 at Carolina Hurricanes
For three consecutive seasons, the Panthers hosted a visiting team to raise a banner, whether it was the Eastern Conference Championship banner or the one proclaiming them forever Stanley Cup champions. On opening night in Raleigh, NC, Florida will be the visiting team as the Carolina Hurricanes raise their second-ever Stanley Cup banner. Hopefully, the Panthers come out flying with a completely healthy lineup and rain on the Hurricanes' festivities. Moreover, watching another team celebrate a title win should be motivating to get back there themselves.
2. October 21, 2026 at Ottawa Senators
Before NHL free agency kicked off, the Panthers found the pieces to make a trade with the Ottawa Senators to acquire their captain, Brady Tkachuk. After spending his entire career with the organization that drafted him back in 2018, Tkachuk will wear enemy colors for the first time and should expect a chorus of boos every time he’s on the ice and touches the puck. At least when the Senators visit Florida in late November, the fans could show how much they appreciate the newest Tkachuk to join the team by cheering him every time he’s on the ice.
1. March 6, 2027 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Sadly, Panthers fans will have to wait almost an entire season to pay homage to arguably the best goalie in team history when Sergei Bobrovsky returns to town with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After seven years and two Stanley Cup victories, the 37-year-old bolted in free agency, signing in Canada for three years, hoping to bring a “hockey market” to the promised land. Of course, this will be an emotional night for many fans who never wanted him to leave, but now, on the other side, they can give him a proper send-off and then hope the Panthers pick up a win to enhance their position in the Atlantic Division.
Add us as a preferred source on Google