As the Ottawa Senators look to return to the playoffs, they'll face a pair of early challenges.
The Senators' 2025-26 season will open with a trip to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Lightning (Oct. 9) and Panthers (Oct. 11).
The full NHL schedule was released Wednesday.
After their visit to two tough division rivals — including the two-time reigning Cup champion Panthers — the Senators will return to Ottawa for their home opener on Oct. 13 against the Nashville Predators.
Their first of four meetings against the Maple Leafs, who eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs last season, is set for Dec. 27 in Toronto.
The Senators will also host the Maple Leafs in their season finale on April 15.
Full schedule (all times ET)
Oct. 9 at Lightning, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 at Panthers, 7 p.m.
Oct 13 vs. Predators, 1 p.m.
Oct. 15 at Sabres, 7 p.m
Oct. 16 vs. Kraken, 7 p.m
Oct. 18 vs. Islanders, 3 p.m.
Oct. 21 vs. Oilers, 7 p.m.
Oct. 23 vs. Flyers, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 at Capitals, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 vs. Bruins, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 28 at Blackhawks, 8:45 p.m.
Oct. 30 vs. Flames, 7 p.m.
Nov. 1 at Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Nov. 6 at Bruins, 7 p.m.
Nov. 8 at Flyers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 vs. Mammoth, 7 p.m.
Nov. 11 vs. Stars, 7 p.m.
Nov. 13 vs. Bruins, 7 p.m.
Nov. 15 vs. Kings, 7 p.m.
Nov. 20 at Ducks, 10 p.m.
Nov. 22 at Sharks, 7 p.m.
Nov. 24 at Kings, 9 p.m.
Nov. 26 at Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
Nov. 28 at Blues, 4 p.m.
Nov. 30 at Stars, 6 p.m.
Dec. 2 at Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Dec. 4 vs. Rangers, 7 p.m.
Dec. 6 vs. Blues, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 vs. Devils, 7 p.m.
Dec. 11 at Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Dec. 13 at Wild, 2 p.m.
Dec. 15 at Jets, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 vs. Penguins, 7 p.m.
Dec. 20 vs. Blackhawks, 3 p.m.
Dec. 21 at Bruins, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 vs. Sabres, 7 p.m.
Dec. 27 at Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 vs. Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Jan. 1 vs. Capitals, 1 p.m.
Jan. 3 vs. Jets, 7 p.m.
Jan. 5 vs. Red Wings, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 at Mammoth, 9:30 p.m.
Jan. 8 at Avalanche, 9 p.m.
Jan. 10 vs. Panthers, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 vs. Canucks, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 at Rangers, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 17 vs. Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 at Red Wings, 5 p.m.
Jan. 20 at Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Jan. 22 at Predators, 8 p.m.
Jan. 24 vs. Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Jan. 25 vs. Golden Knights, 5 p.m.
Jan. 28 vs. Avalanche, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 31 vs. Devils, 7 p.m.
Feb. 2 at Penguins, 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 at Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 at Flyers, 7 p.m.
Feb. 26 vs. Red Wings, 7 p.m.
Feb. 28 at Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
March 3 at Oilers, 9 p.m.
March 5 at Flames, 9 p.m.
March 7 at Kraken, 10 p.m.
March 9 at Canucks, 9 p.m.
March 11 vs. Canadiens, 7:30 p.m.
March 14 vs. Ducks, 1 p.m.
March 15 vs. Sharks, 5 p.m.
March 18 at Capitals, 7:30 p.m.
March 19 vs. Islanders, 7 p.m.
March 21 vs. Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
March 23 at Rangers, 7:30 p.m.
March 24 at Red Wings, 7 p.m.
March 26 vs. Penguins, 7 p.m.
March 28 at Lightning, 1 p.m.
March 31 at Panthers, 7 p.m.
April 2 vs. Sabres, 7 p.m.
April 4 vs. Wild, 1 p.m.
April 5 vs. Hurricanes, 5 p.m.
April 7 vs. Lightning, 7 p.m.
April 9 vs. Panthers, 7 p.m.
April 11 at Islanders, 1 p.m.
April 12 at Devils, 7 p.m.
April 15 vs. Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m.
