The full 2018-19 NHL schedule is set to be unveiled on Thursday, but on Wednesday we found out which opponent every team will face in its home opener this season.
The NHL schedule release in no way carries with it the fanfare of other leagues (we’re looking at you, NFL), but it’s still an exciting part of the Draft Week festivities.
Now that everyone’s slates have reset at 0-0-0, the schedule release offers a chance to actually believe your team can go ahead and put away that team it hasn’t beaten in years.
The news trickled out throughout the day before we got the full release. Some of the notable matchups included the reveal that the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals will be hosting…the Boston Bruins in their home opener at CapitalOne Arena on Oct. 3:
It’s going to be a BANNER day at @CapitalOneArena ! Your 2018-19 Opening Night vs. Boston on October 3rd. #CapsBruins #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Snq4BJRSd0
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 20, 2018
Of course, many Caps fans likely hoped their team would be able to host the rival Pittsburgh Penguins after ruining their chance at a three-peat in 2018. However, the Penguins will actually be hosting the Capitals in their own home opener on Oct. 4:
Penguins will open the 2018-19 regular season at home on Thursday, Oct. 4 against Washington.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) June 20, 2018
Other juicy matchups to note are the Sharks and Ducks in a division rivalry game on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the Shark Tank:
Only 104 days until Opening Night!
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) June 20, 2018
The California rivalry continues between the #SJSharks and @AnaheimDucks on October 3 at the Tank. pic.twitter.com/CA9yWMEJUL
And more California rivalry goodness with the Kings, in turn, hosting the Sharks on Friday Oct. 5:
🎶 Making our way downtown walking fast
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 20, 2018
Faces pass and we're home bound 🎶
Get all the details on the LA Kings home opener presented @McDonalds_SoCal now!https://t.co/4N6wZDZ8LI
We also know that the New Jersey Devils and the Edmonton Oilers will open the regular season in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Oct. 6 as part of the NHL’s Global Series, but of course each team will still have a home opener the following week.
Here are all 31 team’s home openers ahead of the full schedule release Thursday:
Anaheim Ducks: Monday, Oct. 8 vs. Detroit
Arizona Coyotes: Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. Anaheim
Boston Bruins: Monday, Oct. 8 vs. Ottawa
Buffalo Sabres: Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. Boston
Calgary Flames: Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. Vancouver
Carolina Hurricanes: Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. New York Islanders
Chicago Blackhawks: Sunday, Oct. 7 vs. Toronto
Colorado Avalanche: Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. Minnesota
Columbus Blue Jackets: Friday, Oct. 5 vs. Carolina
Dallas Stars: Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. Arizona
Detroit Red Wings: Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. Columbus
Edmonton Oilers: Thursday, Oct. 18 vs. Boston
Florida Panthers: Thursday, Oct. 11 vs. Columbus
Los Angeles Kings: Friday, Oct. 5 vs. San Jose
Minnesota Wild: Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. Vegas
Montreal Canadiens: Thursday, Oct. 11 vs. Los Angeles
Nashville Predators: Tuesday, Oct. 9 vs. Calgary
New Jersey Devils: Thursday, Oct. 11 vs. Washington
New York Islanders: Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. Nashville
New York Rangers: Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. Nashville
Ottawa Senators: Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. Chicago
Philadelphia Flyers: Tuesday, Oct. 9 vs. San Jose
Pittsburgh Penguins: Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. Washington
San Jose Sharks: Wednesday, Oct. 3 vs. Anaheim
St. Louis Blues: Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. Winnipeg
Tampa Bay Lightning: Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. Florida
Toronto Maple Leafs: Wednesday, Oct. 3 vs. Montreal
Vancouver Canucks: Wednesday, Oct. 3 vs. Calgary
Vegas Golden Knights: Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. Philadelphia
Washington Capitals: Wednesday, Oct. 3 vs. Boston
Winnipeg Jets: Tuesday, Oct. 9 vs. Los Angeles
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Which home opener are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @FanSidedNHL.