As hockey season ramps up, fans are eager to know when their favorite teams will hit the ice. Game schedules have been released for the upcoming season and there are some exciting match-ups on the horizon.
One of the most highly anticipated games of the year is always the Winter Classic, an outdoor game held on New Year’s Day. This year’s event will feature a showdown between two Original Six teams: the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins at Notre Dame Stadium.
Another highlight of this year’s schedule is a series of international games in Europe as part of NHL Global Series. The Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils will face off in Gothenburg, Sweden while the Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets will play two games in Helsinki, Finland.
Rivalries also take center stage during the regular season with multiple meetings between long-time foes like Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders.
The playoff picture can often come down to key divisional matchups towards the end of the season. Fans can look forward to seeing heated battles within divisions like Central Division where Nashville Predators, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild all hope to make it deep into playoffs or Pacific Division featuring San Jose Sharks who missed out on Stanley Cup Finals last season after falling short against Vegas Golden Knights in Western Conference semifinals.
While every team has its own unique schedule full of highs and lows throughout an 82-game grueling marathon that tests physicality, mental fortitude as well as depth players’ ability to step up when needed most; one thing remains constant: excitement among fans who eagerly anticipate each puck drop.
With these exciting matchups ahead for hockey fans everywhere we’re sure you’ll be just as excited as we are for what promises to be another thrilling NHL season!