When and Where to Watch the Detroit Red Wings in 2025-26 NHL Season

Before the Detroit Red Wings took a break for yet another long offseason, Alex DeBrincat made a final statement to reporters regarding the importance of getting off to a strong start.

“Maybe we started the season off better, we’re in,” DeBrincat remarked, obviously referencing to the playoff picture.

With a new season comes fresh optimism that the currently nine-year playoff drought would come to an end, and the Wings now have the dates that will determine their course. The NHL announced the 2025–26 schedule, and the Wings will play their first game at home on Oct. 9 against the Montreal Canadiens, an Original Six opponent.

The Wings will meet the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 1 after playing the Winnipeg Jets in the customary New Year’s Eve game at Little Caesars Arena. (This season, the Winter Classic, which is usually held on January 1st, will take place on Friday, January 2nd, when the New York Rangers visit the Florida Panthers at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball.)

The NHL takes a vacation for the Olympic Games, which will take place in Italy, therefore there are only four games in February. While defenseman Moritz Seider and forward Lucas Raymond lock for the German and Swedish teams, respectively, Wings captain Dylan Larkin, he played in this year’s Four Nations Face-Off with the American team, may be selected for the U.S. team.

The Atlantic Division rival Panthers, who won the Stanley Cup again the previous season, will host the Wings on April 15 for their farewell game.

2025-26 Detroit Red Wings schedule

Here is the full schedule, with home game opponents in capital letters:

October

• Oct. 9: Montreal, 7 p.m.
• Oct. 11: Toronto, 7 p.m.
• Oct. 13: at Toronto, 4 p.m.
• Oct. 15: Florida, 7 p.m.
• Oct. 17: Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.
• Oct. 19: Edmonton, 3 p.m.
• Oct. 22: at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 23: at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.
• Oct. 25: St. Louis, 7 p.m.
• Oct. 28: at St. Louis, 8:15 p.m.
• Oct. 30: at Los Angeles, 10: 30 p.m.
• Oct. 31: at Anaheim, 10 p.m.