The 2025–26 NHL season was the 109th season of operation of the National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began on October 7, 2025, and was the final regular season played under the 82-game schedule before the schedule expands to 84 games in 2026–27. A mid-season break took place in February due to the NHL's participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The Stanley Cup playoffs began in April 2026 and ended on June 14, with the Carolina Hurricanes defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games to capture their second Stanley Cup in franchise history and first since 2006.
- Country
- Canada, United States
