The NHL released the entire schedule for the 2015-16 season Thursday morning.
The Chicago Blackhawks will raise their Stanley Cup banners when they host the New York Rangers on opening night, a four-game schedule that also features an all-Canadian double-header.
Here are the 10 must-see games to circle on your calendars for this upcoming season.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens (Oct. 7, 2015)
NHL season opener: The Maple Leafs and Canadiens get the season started off on the right note with a classic rivarly match-up. Mike Babcock will make his debut behind the Maple Leafs’ bench as his new club takes on Hart Trophy, Vezina Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award winner Carey Price. Will Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf still be in Leafs’ jerseys?
Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames (Oct. 7, 2015)
Revenge on their minds: The second all-Canadian match-up on opening night features a highly-anticipated playoff rematch between Vancouver and Calgary. The Canucks will certainly have revenge on their minds after they were eliminated by Calgary this past April.
Edmonton Oilers vs. St. Louis Blues (Oct. 8, 2015)
McDavid’s debut: This will likely be the most anticipated game of the opening week of the season as projected No. 1 overall pick Connor McDavid makes his long-awaited NHL debut with the Oilers. Todd McLellan will be coaching his first regular-season game with Edmonton as the Oilers face a tough Blues team on the road. Who will be starting in net for Edmonton?
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings (Oct. 9, 2015)
Babcock’s return: Babcock will certainly be the centre of attention for this Original Six match-up as he returns to Joe Louis Arena for the first time as a Maple Leaf after a 10-year run with the Red Wings’ organization. There might be some tears.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Islanders (Oct. 9, 2015)
NHL debut in Brooklyn: Chicago and the Islanders don’t have much of a history. However, the Blackhawks will help usher in a new era for the Islanders when the two face off in the first-ever regular-season NHL game played at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Oct. 24, 2015)
Stanley Cup rematch: The Lightning are in Chicago for the first time since their wild Stanley Cup series from last season. The 2015 final was one of the best in recent memory so this matchup should draw serious attention across the hockey world.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Edmonton Oilers (Nov. 6, 2015)
Crosby vs. McDavid: Who won’t want to see this? Oilers fans cherish any opportunity that they get to see Sidney Crosby, but this game will have a whole new level of excitement with him facing off against McDavid, the most hyped prospect to hit the NHL since the Penguins captain.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins (Jan. 1, 2016)
Winter Classic: The Bruins and Canadiens face off in an epic rivalry match-up at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on New Year’s Day. The two clubs have had bad blood for quite some time and it’s always fun when Milan Lucic faces off against the Canadiens. It will be just the second time a Canadian-based NHL team will play in the event. Hopefully no one deflates any pucks.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild (Feb. 21, 2016)
Coors Light Stadium Series: The first of two 2016 Coors Light Stadium Series games features a playoff rematch between the Wild and Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus. The Wild struggled to keep up with Chicago in a second-round sweep.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Colorado Avalanche (Feb. 27, 2016)
Coors Field showdown: The Colorado Avalanche will make their regular-season outdoor debut when they play host to the Red Wings at Coors Field in Denver in the second of the Coors Light Stadium Series games. The Avalanche will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch this year as they look to rebound from a letdown year. At the very least, Patrick Roy facing Detroit brings back memories of the great Avalanche-Red Wings match-ups from the late 1990s.
