When does the NHL season resume? Schedule for first games back from Olympic break

Feb 22, 2026; Milan, Italy; Dylan Larkin and Charlie McAvoy of the United States celebrates after winning against Canada in the gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

It'd be hard to have a better advertisement for hockey than the 2026 Winter Olympics.

With NHL players back at the Games, it was high-intensity action from start to finish, capped by Team USA's thrilling overtime win in the gold medal match over Canada on Sunday.

Now, fans want to watch more hockey. They're revved up about the sport.

The NHL, though, went on break as its players left for the Olympics. So patience is a virtue here.

We've got the details on the return.

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When does the NHL season resume?

The NHL season resumes on Wednesday, Feb. 25. That's the first day that any games will be played following the Olympics.

Who plays in NHL on Wednesday, Feb. 25?

There are eight games on Wednesday:

• Flyers at Capitals
• Sabres at Devils
• Maple Leafs at Lightning
• Kraken at Stars
• Avalanche at Mammoth
• Golden Knights at Kings
• Jets at Canucks
• Oilers at Ducks

MORE: Team USA honors Johnny Gaudreau in special way after gold medal

Who plays in NHL on Thursday, Feb. 26?

There are another 12 games on Thursday as the NHL gets back in full swing:

• Lightning at Hurricanes
• Devils at Penguins
• Maple Leafs at Panthers
• Blue Jackets at Bruins
• Red Wings at Senators
• Islanders at Canadiens
• Kraken at Blues
• Blackhawks at Predators
• Flyers at Rangers
• Wild at Avalanche
• Flames at Sharks
• Oilers at Kings

There are some questions remaining on when the players who played in the gold medal game will be available to get back to game action.

But hockey fans in general will only have to take breathers on Monday and Tuesday before the action returns.

More NHL news:

• Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs now forced to face tough reality
• Jack Hughes has forever changed his value
• Zach Werenski made 'the play before The Play'
• Connor Hellebuyck has changed his story forever
• Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans
• Evgeni Malkin gets big news on a possible future