The Colorado Avalanche won't just be playing more hockey in 2026-27—they'll be navigating one of the most unique schedules in franchise history.

Colorado's recently released 84-game schedule introduces several significant changes, beginning with the earliest regular-season opener the franchise has ever played. The NHL expanded the schedule by adding two divisional games while trimming the preseason to four contests, creating a calendar that starts in September and wraps up earlier than fans have become accustomed to.

The Avalanche begin the regular season on September 30 at Ball Arena against the Los Angeles Kings, who have somehow become Colorado's default opening-night opponent after drawing the assignment for the third time in four years—to the chagrin of anyone hoping the league could show even a shred of creativity. The nationally televised matchup on TNT serves as the first test in what should once again be one of the Western Conference's toughest races.

No game, however, carries more intrigue than Colorado's New Year's Eve showdown against the Utah Mammoth in the 2027 NHL Winter Classic. Set for Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on December 31, the outdoor matchup gives the Avalanche one of the league's premier showcase events and one of the most anticipated games on the NHL calendar.

Colorado's rivalry with the Dallas Stars also takes center stage early. The teams meet in a home-and-home series during the third week of the season, beginning October 13 as part of the NHL's annual Frozen Frenzy, when every team in the league is scheduled to play. They'll renew the rivalry with another home-and-home in January to complete the season series.

While the schedule grows by two games, it isn't especially unforgiving. The Avalanche play 10 sets of back-to-back games, although seven come before the middle of November, potentially easing the burden later in the year. December features a five-game road trip followed immediately by a five-game homestand before the holiday break, creating one of the season's defining stretches.

Colorado's regular season concludes on April 10, an earlier finish that reflects the league's decision to move the start of the schedule into September. The change could also result in an earlier trade deadline, with that date expected to be announced at a later time.

What's your favorite part of the schedule? I'll save everyone the suspense of figuring out my pick—it's the Winter Classic. Imagine that: an outdoor hockey game played somewhere that actually gets winter instead of a venue where the snow has to be trucked in and the palm trees are wondering what all the fuss is about. What a concept.