NHL’s Schedule 2022-23 has been reduced and fans around the league planned homecoming and road trips.
Here are some highlights from the newly released schedule, from games to watch to key trends.
Back to normal… almost
The NHL is expected to play a “traditional” full 82-game season for the first time since 2018-19. Last season, the league was halted for about three weeks after the All-Star break to accommodate the players participating in the Winter Olympics, something that ultimately didn’t happen due to the COVID-19 postponement. and concerns about the safety of players in Beijing. This season is the NHL All-Star weekend – hosted by Florida Panthers – falls on February 3 and 4.
The last scheduled date for the regular season is April 13; Last season, it was May 1st.
There’s an oddity to the schedule when it comes to NHL’s signature regular season game: The Winter Classic. Combination Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins at Fenway Park will take place on January 2nd rather than the traditional New Year’s Day. That’s because January 1 falls on NFL Sunday. This is only the third time since the outdoor event began in 2008, it will not be held on New Year’s Day.
Panic! At the Cup Celebration
The NHL wants to start its season with the Stanley Cup champions holding up their latest banners, like Tampa Bay Lightning did to start the 2021-22 season. Alas, Colorado Avalanche won’t be lifting their banner on October 11th because their home, Ball Arena, was pre-booked that night with a Panic! At the concert The Disco. Instead, Avalanche will celebrate their first Stanley Cup since 2001 on October 12, ahead of a game against Chicago Blackhawks. Well, this is called a toast. So pour champagne, pour champagne…
The Stanley Cup Finals rematch will have to wait until Thursday, February 9, when Avalanche visits the Lightning.
Thanksgiving Eve and the end-of-season chaos
Two of the NHL’s most important traditions will continue this season. On Wednesday, November 23, the NHL has 15 games before the start of Thanksgiving (USA). Only Los Angeles Kings and Lightning doesn’t work the day before Turkey Day.
Wednesday, November 23 (all Eastern Time)
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St. Louis in Buffalo, 7 p.m
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Boston in Florida, 7 p.m
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Toronto in New Jersey, 7 p.m
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Calgary in Pittsburgh, 7 p.m
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Philadelphia in Washington, 7 p.m
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Arizona in Carolina, 7 p.m
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Montreal in Columbus, 7pm
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Winnipeg in Minnesota, 7 p.m
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Nashville in Detroit, 7:30 p.m
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Edmonton at NY Islanders, 7:30pm
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Chicago in Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
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Vancouver in Colorado, 10 p.m
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Ottawa in Vegas, 10 p.m
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NY Rangers at Anaheim, 10 p.m
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San Jose in Seattle, 10 p.m
Then on April 13, it’s another 15-game run with 12 between divisional rivals – hopefully at least one of which adds great significance to the playoffs.. .
Thursday, April 13
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Ottawa in Buffalo, 7 p.m
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Boston in Montreal, 7 p.m
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Detroit at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m
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Carolina in Florida, 7 p.m
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Toronto at NY Rangers, 7pm
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New Jersey in Washington, 7 p.m
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Pittsburgh at Columbus, 7 p.m.
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Minnesota in Nashville, 8 p.m
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Philadelphia in Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
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St. Louis in Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
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Winnipeg in Colorado, 9 p.m.
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San Jose at Edmonton, 9pm
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Vancouver in Arizona, 10 p.m
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Los Angeles at Anaheim, 10 p.m
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Vegas in Seattle, 10 p.m
…especially in the Pacific Division.
Orientation for freshman Coyotes
Like Arizona Coyotes Looking for a new arena in Tempe after the city of Glendale refused to renew their lease, the Coyotes will compete in a new arena on the campus of Arizona State University for at least the next three seasons.
There is some speculation that the Coyotes may have to start the 2022-23 season in the long run while work on ASU’s new all-purpose arena is completed. The New York Islandersfor example, had to play 13 games on the way to the start of the season before UBS Arena was completed.
But the Coyotes will play six road games to open the season, then hit the ice for their first regular game at Arizona State on October 28 against Winnipeg Jets. Coyotes President/CEO Xavier Gutierrez has said that the team is expected to accommodate 4,700 fans.
Games you can’t miss
January 16: Dallas in Vegas, 6 p.m. ET
That was the Pete DeBoer Revenge Tour, as the fired Golden Knights coach led his new team against conference opponents and his former players.
October 15: Los Angeles in Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET
First game back to Minnesota for Kevin Fiala after he was exchanged with the kings during the season.
December 5: Vegas in Boston, 7 p.m. ET
This game has two attractions. The first is the return of former Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy to Boston as Vegas head coach. The second match was the first in Boston for Boston University alumni Jack Eichel as a member of the Golden Knights.
November 15: New Jersey in Montreal, 7 p.m. ET
Regardless of who finishes first and who comes second in the 2022 NHL draft, this will be the first meeting scheduled between those two rookies – provided they both play in the NHL next season. If they don’t…hey, Jack Hughes compare to Nick Suzuki still on the card.
March 1: Toronto in Edmonton, 8 p.m. ET
March 11: Edmonton in Toronto, 7 p.m. ET
Connor McDavid compare to Auston Matthews, twice in a 10-day period. McDavid, who led the NHL in points last season and runner-up for the Hart Trophy. Matthews, last season’s top goal scorer and NHL MVP award winner. Two generations of talent and always a match not to be missed by hockey fans.
October 15: Calgary in Edmonton, 10 p.m. ET
October 29: Edmonton in Calgary, 10 p.m. ET
December 27: Edmonton in Calgary, 9 p.m. ET
Battle in Alberta. If you enjoyed the chaos of their epic playoff series, suffice it to say that their regular off-season encounters are just as enjoyable.
November 9: Pittsburgh in Washington, 7:30 p.m. ET
January 26: Pittsburgh in Washington, 7 p.m. ET
March 25: Washington in Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. ET
We only have a few more years to see Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin fight for their respective teams in this decades-old rivalry. Let’s cherish them and enjoy these crazy things while we can.
