It is October yet.
We’re psyched. The NHL’s 1,230-game regular-season calendar officially kicks off Wednesday and runs through April 9.
Combing the matchups, we’ve handpicked 15 of the 2016-17 season’s most anticipated contests — the nastiest rivalries, the anticipated return games and unique outdoor showcases.
If you can’t make all of these road trips, then consider these games must-see television for the centennial season.
Save the dates. Keep it 100.
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, Oct. 12
With April 6’s bittersweet farewell to the ol’ Rexall Place barn now just a memory, the future opens with a Battle of Alberta at the spanking-new, modernized, 18,641-seat Rogers Place. A perfect opponent for opening night, as the northern neighbours lean on youth to haul them out of the draft lottery. Come see the NHL’s youngest captain in action.
Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins, Oct. 13
How’s this for salt in the wound? Not only did the Penguins oust the Presidents’ Trophy–winning Caps in six games en route to their second title in the Sid-Geno era, they’ve invited Alex Ovechkin and his club back to the scene of the crime so they can watch the 2016 Stanley Cup banner get raised in-person. Nasty. We’re sure Washington’s brass is thrilled to start the season this way.
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks, Oct. 15
After three seasons as an associate coach with the Canucks, Glen Gulutzan has assumed a boss role on the Flames bench. The second-chance head coach will try to outsmart his former team in the first meeting of familiar Pacific Division rivals. Also the first Saturday night of the hockey season.
San Jose Sharks at Pittsburgh Penguins, Oct. 20
In the first of two 2016 Stanley Cup Final rematches, Brent Burns will try to out-quarterback Kris Letang and exact a small measure of revenge on a championship club that out-shot, out-skated and out-played San Jose.
Edmonton Oilers at Winnipeg Jets, Oct. 23
The first of 2016-17’s four-pack of outdoor games invades Investors Group Field, home of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The 2016 Heritage Classic marks the first outdoor game for the Jets and just the Oilers’ second (Edmonton hosted the ’03 Heritage Classic, losing 4-3 to Montreal.) Come for Gretzky vs. Hawerchuk, stay for McDavid vs. Laine. The throwback sweaters will be glorious.
Edmonton Oilers at Toronto Maple Leafs, Nov. 1
Toronto-born and -bred Connor McDavid was supposed to make his NHL homecoming last November but had to sit out the Oil’s one trip to Air Canada Centre due to a broken clavicle. The Oilers’ expected captain said it sucked to miss out. Take 2.
Anaheim Ducks at Toronto Maple Leafs, Dec. 19
Coach Randy Carlyle returns to the Air Canada Centre for one night only, this time leading a team he believes can win it all. Carlyle was fired by Toronto’s old regime in January 2015 with the club still in playoff position. This will also mark Toronto’s new No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen’s first game against his old squad. Should be a good one, Randy.
Detroit Red Wings at Toronto Maple Leafs, Jan. 1
The one and only Centennial Classic touches down at Toronto’s newly expanded BMO Field in a postcard rematch of the 2014 Winter Classic, except this time coach Mike Babcock has switched allegiances. Happy 100th birthday, NHL and Maple Leafs. Please let both Original Six teams wear their darks against a snowy background again.
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues, Jan. 2
The 2017 Winter Classic at Busch Stadium, home of MLB’s Cardinals, gets bumped a day to make room for the Centennial Classic and a big NFL Sunday. The Blackhawks, a staple of the outdoor circuit, battle perennial playoff rival St. Louis as the Blues celebrate their 50th year as a franchise. Jonesing for a Bernie Federko sighting.
New Jersey Devils at Edmonton Oilers, Jan. 12
You know when she breaks up with you and you’ve had six months to get your life back together and you’ve found a new girl and things are starting to click, so you cruise through your ex’s neighbourhood to prove you’re doing just fine? It’ll be like that but with body-checking.
NHL All-Star Game, Jan. 29
With Nashville’s 3-on-3 million-dollar tournament and the John Scott fairy tale breathing fresh life into the league’s tired mid-season exhibition, the event — which kicks off with the popular Skills Competition on Jan. 28 — heads to Los Angeles, where the Kings will be celebrating their 50th anniversary and first ASG since 1981.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins, Feb. 25
The champs will have had eight months to shake off their Stanley Cup hangover by the time they welcome intrastate haters Philly to Heinz Field, battle ground of the Steelers. Count on the Penguins faithful to bundle up and support in full force, and for Sidney Crosby and Claude Giroux to out-cheat each other at the face-off dot.
Winnipeg Jets at Toronto Maple Leafs, Feb. 21
Patrik Laine believes he was talented enough to go No. 1 overall at the 2016 NHL Draft, but Auston Mattthews — we expect — is a sure thing to be selected as the Maple Leafs No. 1 centre of the future. The prodigious teens should only face off twice this season. If the draft goes according to Hoyle, this will be the Calder candidates’ first club-team battle.
Nashville Predators at Montreal Canadiens, March 2
Oh, baby. Yes, we have to wait until Month 5 of the schedule to get this homecoming, but StubHub should go nuts. P.K. Subban finally returns to la belle province to face Shea Weber, Max Pacioretty, Carey Price and the boys. Giddy up.
New Jersey Devils at Detroit Red Wings, April 9
Twenty of the NHL’s 30 teams will hit the ice on this date, but most eyes will be on the final regular-season game at The Joe. Should they be unable to keep their incredible playoff-appearance streak alive, the Red Wings’ will bid farewell to Joe Louis Arena by hosting back-to-back weekend games to close out the barn prior to their move to Little Caesars Arena in 2017-18.
