The NHL’s most recent expansion teams will take part in two big days of the 2023-24 season.
First, the Vegas Golden Knights will host the Seattle Kraken on opening night. The Golden Knights, who won a Stanley Cup title in their sixth season, will celebrate the franchise’s first championship by raising a banner before the game at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
Then the two will meet in the annual outdoor Winter Classic game on New Year’s Day at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Mariners.
The NHL regular season will run from Oct. 10 to April 18 and includes four outdoor games and four games in Europe.
Here are the key dates (times p.m. ET, unless noted) for the 2023-24 NHL season:
When is NHL opening day 2023?
The NHL season opens on Tuesday, Oct. 10 with three games, all on ESPN:
Nashville at Tampa Bay, 5:30: The Lightning get their first test to see how they’ll handle goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy’s two-month absence after back surgery.
Chicago at Pittsburgh, 8: Generational prospect Connor Bedard makes his NHL debut against the Penguins and Sidney Crosby, his idol.
Seattle at Vegas, 10:30: The defending champion Golden Knights have been to the playoffs in all but one season while the Kraken improved by 40 points to reach the postseason in their second season.
When is the Hockey Hall of Fame induction?
The Hall of Fame induction is Nov. 13 in Toronto. Tom Barrasso, Henrik Lundqvist, Caroline Ouellette, Pierre Turgeon and Mike Vernon will be inducted in the player category. Ken Hitchcock and the late Pierre Lacroix were elected in the builder category.
When and where will the NHL play in Europe this season?
Nov. 16-19 at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Nov. 16: Detroit vs. Ottawa, 2. Nov. 17: Toronto vs. Detroit, 2. Nov. 18: Minnesota vs. Ottawa, 11 a.m. Nov. 19: Toronto vs. Minnesota, 8 a.m.
When is the NHL’s holiday roster freeze?
No player transactions can take place from Dec. 20-27. No games or practices will be held from Dec. 24-26.
When and where is the Winter Classic?
The Golden Knights will visit the Kraken at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. The game is scheduled to start at noon local time (3 p.m. ET).
When and where are the NHL’s other outdoor games this season?
Oct. 29: Calgary vs. Edmonton at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium, 7
Feb. 17: Philadelphia vs. New Jersey at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 8
Feb. 18: New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders at MetLife, 3
When is NHL All-Star weekend?
The skills competition will be Feb. 2 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. The All-Star Game will be held on Feb. 3. Times are TBA.
When is the NHL trade deadline?
The trade deadline is March 8 at 3.
What is the final day of the NHL regular season?
The regular season ends April 18, with six games.
When do the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs begin?
The playoffs open on April 21. The last possible day of the Stanley Cup Final is June 24.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL regular season start date 2023: Key dates for 2023-24 NHL season
