Today is the release day for the full NHL schedule for the 2025-26 season.

For the Columbus Blue Jackets, this year will mark their 25th season in team history. Things kick off on Thursday, October 9 against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Their home opener will take place on Monday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. ET when they host the New Jersey Devils at Nationwide Arena.

The Blue Jackets will play 26 of their 82 games against Metropolitan Division teams, with 13 of those matchups coming at home.

Outside of the division, they will take on Atlantic Division teams 24 times this season, and 12 of those will be played at Nationwide Arena.

As usual, the regular season will be played in under 200 days. This year it’ll stretch across 188 days. The busiest months for Columbus will be January and March, where they’ll play 16 games in each.

There will also be a break in February from the 6th to the 24th, while NHL players represent their countries at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

NHL.com has already highlighted a few key matchups to watch this season.

• Oct. 29 and Nov. 26 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (Auston Matthews and 13-time Stanley Cup champions)
• Nov. 13 vs. Edmonton Oilers (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl with 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup finalists)
• Nov. 15 and Mar. 19 vs. New York Rangers (Artemi Panarin and Metropolitan Division rivals)
• Nov. 17 vs. Montreal Canadiens (24-time Stanley Cup champions)
• Nov. 28 and Jan. 4 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Metropolitan Division Rivals)
• Dec. 4 vs. Detroit Red Wings (11-time Stanley Cup champions and former Central Division rivals)
• Dec. 13 vs. Vegas Golden Knights (Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner with 2023 Stanley Cup champions)
• Dec. 18 vs. Minnesota Wild (2000 NHL Expansion rivals)
• Dec. 31 vs. New Jersey Devils (Metropolitan Division rivals visit on New Year’s Eve)
• Feb. 4 vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Connor Bedard and former Central Division rivals)
• Mar. 5 vs. Florida Panthers (lone visit from 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup champions)

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