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NHL schedule release 2018: Every team’s home opener revealed

By Michelle Bruton

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: {L-R} Alexander Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals takes a picture of Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins prior to the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: {L-R} Alexander Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals takes a picture of Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins prior to the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
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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:

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:

Other juicy matchups to note are the Sharks and Ducks in a division rivalry game on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the Shark Tank:

And more California rivalry goodness with the Kings, in turn, hosting the Sharks on Friday Oct. 5:

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

Next: Each NHL team’s most famous superfan

Which home opener are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @FanSidedNHL.