In an effort to make this process easier, Sportsnet has gone ahead and highlighted some must-watch games for the campaign. From Stanley Cup Final rematches to the Battle of Alberta, brother vs. brother to All-Star clashes, here are seven games you won’t want to miss: Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens Wednesday, October 12 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, Sportsnet It seems fitting that two Original Six teams would play their regular season opener against each other. Despite Montreal’s less-than-stellar record last season, the rivalry between the Leafs and Habs — which spans over a century — won’t be squashed anytime soon. In 16 postseason meetings, Montreal has emerged victorious in nine, including the 2021 “come-from-back” series that saw the Habs upset the Leafs in seven games. Over a year later, both teams are still hungry to beat each other. The Leafs want payback. The Habs want to prove their record against the Toronto stand up — and could have the No. 1 overall pick from this year’s Draft making his NHL debut. It all adds up to must-watch hockey. Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers Saturday, October 15 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, Hockey Night in Canada Does Battle of Alberta ever disappoint? It certainly didn’t happen in last season’s playoffs, where the second-round series started with the Flames’ historic 9-6 victory and ended with the Oilers winning four straight to punch their ticket to the Western Conference finals. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were nearly unstoppable against Calgary’s defense, putting together a historic performance that saw Draisaitl tally 17 points in five games and McDavid 16, including the overtime winner to send the Oilers to the third round . With no love lost between Matthew Tkachuk and the Flames and Connor McDavid and the Oilers, the Flames will no doubt be looking for revenge in the first game of this (often testing) rivalry. New Jersey Devils at Vancouver Canucks Tuesday, November 1 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT It’s a showdown that the Hughes family probably takes into account every year. Devils and Canucks fans can be excited to see their respective Hughes brothers take the ice in the faceoff – Vancouver defenseman Quinn and New Jersey center Jack. “I think I’m 0-3 against him and 0-2 against him in the NHL,” older Quinn brother said ahead of their February 2022 matchup. “So that’s kind of a problem.” The Canucks fell 7-2 in that game. In fact, prior to their 6-3 home victory in March, the Canucks had not won a game against the Devils since 2014. Adding more to the mix, younger brother Luke was selected fourth overall by the Devils in the 2021 draft. While it is unknown if Luke will join the Devils this upcoming season, the prospect of an all-out battle of the Hughes brothers will entertain both of them fans for years to come. Vegas Golden Knights at Buffalo Sabres Thursday, November 10 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT Until his trade to the Golden Knights on November 4, 2021, Jack Eichel’s draft picks dominated the hockey news cycle for months. Eichel confirmed that he had requested a trade from Buffalo following the COVID-shortened 2019-2020 season. Relations appeared to sour between the two sides throughout the long and arduous process, including with some Sabers fans. When he made his long-awaited return to Buffalo as a member of the Golden Knights last March, attendance at KeyBank Arena was higher than it had been in years. The game saw the Golden Knights fall to the Sabers thanks to goals from key pieces Alex Tuch, who grew up near Buffalo, and Peyton Krebs. Colorado Avalanche on Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday, February 9 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT Perhaps no game is more exciting than the first rematch of the Stanley Cup Final. The last time the Avalanche were at Amalie Arena, they lifted the Cup after defeating the two-time defending champion Lightning in six games. Tensions came to a head in Game 4 when Nazem Kadri scored a controversial overtime winner to put the Avalanche up 3-1 in the series. Coach Jon Cooper asked in his postgame interview whether the goal should count at all because of a possible too-man-on-the-ice issue. The typically dominant Lightning struggled to mount an attack against the Avalanche. It was a series in which many questioned how the Lightning would fare against an offensively gifted team like the Avalanche. With the winning culture that exists within the Lightning, it’s a safe bet to assume they’ll come out swinging in their opener against the Avalanche. Calgary Flames at Ottawa Senators Monday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT, Sportsnet In yet another family affair, Senators captain Brady Tkachuk will battle his brother Matthew of the Flames on home ice. The brothers made headlines during the Flames’ 2022 playoff run, where Brady was seen supporting his brother through the first two rounds in a red “Matthew Tkachuk Friendship Tour” jersey. While many have already commented on the strange reality of the captain of one NHL team openly rooting for another, Brady made it clear that he would not be wearing any Flames apparel in his effort to cheer on his brother. But the playoffs are over, and Keith Tkachuk’s two sons will put aside brotherly love and replace it with fierce competition, as they have done in every NHL meeting. Toronto Maple Leafs at Edmonton Oilers Wednesday, March 1 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, Sportsnet With two Hart Trophy winners facing off, expect plenty of entertainment Hockey fans across Canada are privileged to watch two generational talents in Auston Matthews and McDavid. While Edmonton enjoyed a deeper playoff run than the Leafs, Toronto emerged victorious in both meetings between the two teams last season. The Oilers are likely not satisfied and will be hungry for a chance to beat the Leafs for the first time since March 2021. With Matthews fresh off his Hart Trophy win and McDavid putting on a playoff performance for the ages, Oilers, Leafs and hockey fans should mark this game on the calendar.
