Home Opener for Detroit’s Centennial Season will feature Original Six matchup with Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, October 9

A new season brings new hope that the now nine-year-old playoff drought may end, and now the Wings have the dates that will map their path. The NHL released the 2025-26 schedule, and the Wings start up Oct. 9 at home against an Original Six rival, the Montreal Canadiens.

The Detroit Red Wings’ quest to end a nine-year playoff drought will begin Thursday, Oct. 9 at home against the Montreal Canadiens. Detroit’s full 82-game schedule was released Wednesday, with the slate opening against a division rival and concluding with a showdown against the defending Cup champion Florida Panthers on April 15 in Sunrise.