Men's Ice Hockey NHL 2017 - 2018

[phelps 7,709]

2018/2019 NHL Schedule released

 

The NHL's 2018-19 regular season will commence Wednesday, Oct. 3, with a four-game slate, highlighted by the Washington Capitals raising their first Stanley Cup championship banner before facing the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena.

The 1,271-game regular-season schedule - 82 games per team - will conclude Saturday, April 6, 2019.

The other three games on the first night of the 2018-19 season include the Montreal Canadiens visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena; the Vancouver Canucks hosting the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena; and the San Jose Sharks playing host to the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center.

 

The Anaheim Ducks and Florida Panthers are both celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2018-19.

The Panthers will open their season on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning at AMALIE Arena on Saturday, Oct. 6, exactly 25 years after their first-ever NHL regular-season game in Chicago (FLA 4, CHI 4, Oct. 6, 1993).

The Ducks will play their home opener against the Detroit Red Wings at Honda Center on Monday, Oct. 8, exactly 25 years after the franchise's first-ever NHL regular-season game, also played at home against Detroit (DET 7, ANA 2, Oct. 8, 1993).

 

Four teams will participate in the 2018 NHL Global Series and play regular-season games in Europe.

The Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils will play their 2018-19 season-opening game against each other in Gothenburg, Sweden on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Scandinavium.

The Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets will face off in a pair of regular-season games at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland on Thursday, Nov. 1 and Friday, Nov. 2.

 

A rematch of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 10 when the Washington Capitals play host to the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena.

 

The 2018 Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown will take place on Friday, Nov. 23, when the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers at Wells Fargo Center.

 

On New Year's Day, the 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® will feature the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins outdoors at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., home of the Fighting Irish.

The game continues the tradition the League established in 2008 of hosting a regular-season outdoor game at the onset of the new year.

 

The League's regular-season schedule will pause from Jan. 24-27 when the world's top players gather in San Jose for the 2019 NHL All-Star weekend at SAP Center, which will include the NHL All-Star Skills Competition™ on Friday, Jan. 25 and the NHL All-Star Game on Saturday, Jan. 26.

The 2018 NHL All-Star returns to a 3-on-3 tournament format after successful games in Nashville (2016), Los Angeles (2017) and Tampa (2018).

Under the tournament rules, the NHL All-Star Game will be divided into three 20-minute games, with star players from each NHL division making up the four All-Star teams: Pacific, Central, Atlantic, and Metropolitan.

 

Saturday, Feb. 9 will mark Hockey Day in Canada, and will feature all seven Canadian teams in action.

 

Hockey Day in America will be celebrated on Sunday, Feb. 17 and will feature six games, with the first starting at 12:30 p.m. ET and the sixth at 9 p.m. ET.

 

On Saturday, Feb. 23, the Philadelphia Flyers will play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins outdoors at the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™ at Lincoln Financial Field in an intrastate rematch of the 2017 edition, won by Pittsburgh 4-2 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

 

The 2018-19 regular season will conclude Saturday, April 6, when 30 of the League's 31 teams take to the ice.

 

Reminder: Scheduling Matrix

The scheduling matrix ensures that all 31 teams play in all 31 arenas at least once each season.
The following notes show the opponents by team (totaling 41 home / 41 away per team), based on each team's respective division and conference.

 

Eastern Conference (Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions - 8 Teams each)

Each Division has 8 teams

 

Within Division
7 teams x 2 home / 2 away (Subtotal 14 home / 14 away)

 

Within Conference (Non-Division)
4 teams x 2 home / 1 away (Subtotal 8 home / 4 away)
4 teams x 1 home / 2 away (Subtotal 4 home / 8 away)

 

Non-Conference
15 teams x 1 home / 1 away (Subtotal 15 home / 15 away) Grand Total 41 home / 41 away

 

Western Conference (Central Division - 7 teams)

Within Division
4 teams x 2 home / 2 away (Subtotal 8 home / 8 away)
1 team x 3 home / 2 away (Subtotal 3 home / 2 away)
1 team x 2 home / 3 away (Subtotal 2 away / 3 home)

 

Within Conference (Non-Division)
4 teams x 2 home / 1 away (Subtotal 8 home / 4 away)
4 teams x 1 home / 2 away (Subtotal 4 home / 8 away)

 

Non-Conference
16 teams x 1 home / 1 away (Subtotal 16 home / 16 away) Grand Total 41 home / 41 away

 

Western Conference (Pacific Division - 8 teams)

A. 4 of the 8 teams in Pacific Division

 

Within Division
6 teams x 2 home / 2 away (Subtotal 12 home / 12 away)
1 team x 3 home / 2 away (Subtotal 3 home / 2 away)

 

Within Conference (Non-Division)
3 teams x 2 home / 1 away (Subtotal 6 home / 3 away)
4 teams x 1 home / 2 away (Subtotal 4 home / 8 away)

 

Non-Conference
16 teams x 1 home / 1 away (Subtotal 16 home / 16 away) Grand Total 41 home / 41 away

 

B. 4 of the 8 teams in Pacific Division Within Division

 

Within Division
6 teams x 2 home / 2 away (Subtotal 12 home / 12 away)
1 team x 2 home / 3 away (Subtotal 2 home / 3 away)

 

Within Conference (Non-Division)
4 teams x 2 home / 1 away (Subtotal 8 home / 4 away)
3 teams x 1 home / 2 away (Subtotal 3 home / 6 away)

 

Non-Conference
16 teams x 1 home / 1 away (Subtotal 16 home / 16 away) Grand Total 41 home / 41 away

[phelps 7,709]

10 must-see games in 2018-19

Capitals raising Cup banner, two outdoor games, Global Series in Sweden, Finland among highlights

 

 

The NHL released its 1,271-game 2018-19 regular-season schedule Thursday, one day after revealing each of the 31 teams' home openers.

With the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Friday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN) and rounds 2-7 on Saturday (10 a.m. ET; NHLN, SN), followed by the free agency signing period beginning July 1, there are already plenty of games to look forward to.

 

 

Here's a look at 10 must-see games in 2018-19

 

Oct. 3: Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals

Capitals Home Opener

After winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 43-season history, Conn Smythe Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin, center Nicklas Backstrom, goaltender Braden Holtby and the rest of the Capitals will raise the Stanley Cup banner against the Bruins at Capital One Arena. Washington defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights on their run to the title. It will also be the debut for a new Capitals coach after Barry Trotz resigned Monday.

Oct. 4: Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres

Possible Rasmus Dahlin NHL debut

This likely will be the NHL debut for defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, projected to be the No. 1 pick by the Sabres, at KeyBank Center. Dahlin had 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 41 games with Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League and was named best defenseman at the 2018 World Junior Championship, where he had six assists in seven games to help Sweden win a silver medal. He also played for Sweden at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and could be on Buffalo's top defense pair before long.

Oct. 6: Edmonton Oilers vs. New Jersey Devils

2018 NHL Global Series, Gothenburg, Sweden

The Oilers and Devils will open the NHL season at the Scandinavium in a matchup between Edmonton center Connor McDavid, who won the scoring title this season, and New Jersey forward Taylor Hall, who won the Hart Trophy. Devils forwards Marcus Johansson and Jesper Bratt and Oilers defenseman Adam Larssson each were born in Sweden, making the matchup extra special for them. It will be the seventh time and second straight season the NHL has played regular-season games in Europe.

Oct. 10: Vegas Golden Knights at Washington Capitals

Stanley Cup Final rematch

The Capitals defeated the expansion Golden Knights in five games in the Stanley Cup Final, winning the final four games of the series after losing Game 1. Vegas will get its first shot at redemption less than a week into the season when they visit Washington at Capital One Arena. The teams meet for the second and final time of the regular season at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 4.

Oct. 11: Winnipeg Jets at Nashville Predators

Western Conference Second Round rematch

The Central Division rivals finished as the top two teams in the NHL during the regular season, with the Predators (117 points) winning the Presidents' Trophy and the Jets (114) right behind them. They had a second-round clash in the playoffs, alternating wins and losses in a seven-game series won by Winnipeg, when center Mark Scheifele set an NHL record with seven goals on the road. This will be Nashville's first chance to avenge that playoff loss, at Bridgestone Arena.

Nov. 1-2: Florida Panthers vs. Winnipeg Jets

2018 NHL Global Series, Helsinki

The Jets, who advanced to the Western Conference Final, and Panthers, who missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs by one point, will play in the NHL's second matchup in Europe next season, at Hartwall Arena. Center Aleksander Barkov, 22, who led the Panthers in scoring last season with 78 points (27 goals, 51 assists), and Winnipeg forward Patrik Laine, 20, who finished second in the NHL with 44 goals, each was born in Tampere, Finland, and will be looking to put on a show.

Jan. 1, 2019: Boston Bruins at Chicago Blackhawks

2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, Notre Dame Stadium

The two Original Six teams will meet for the first time in an outdoor game. The Bruins are 1-1-0 in the Winter Classic, most recently losing against the Montreal Canadiens in 2016; the Blackhawks are 0-3-0 in the Winter Classic and 1-4-0 in outdoor games, including the Coors Light Stadium Series. It should be an electric atmosphere in South Bend, Indiana, in front of a crowd of around 80,000.

Jan. 18, 2019: New York Islanders at Washington Capitals

Trotz returns to Washington

Trotz, who stepped down as coach of the Capitals on June 18 after leading them to the Stanley Cup and was hired by the Islanders three days later, will have a bit of a wait before returning to coach in Washington. The Metropolitan Division rivals play for the first time on Nov. 26 at Barclays Center, but not at Capital One Arena in Washington until the Islanders' 47th game of the season. Trotz likely will get a nice ovation after helping the Capitals to their first championship.

Feb. 23, 2019: Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers

Coors Light Stadium Series, Lincoln Financial Field

The longtime division and intrastate rivals are no strangers to each other and will play for the second time in three seasons in a Stadium Series game. The Penguins defeated the Flyers 4-2 at Heinz Field, home of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, in 2017. This time, the Flyers will host the game at the home of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Feb. 27, 2019: Edmonton Oilers at Toronto Maple Leafs

Connor McDavid vs. Auston Matthews

McDavid, the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, and Matthews, a center and the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft, will go head to head for the first of two times next season. Matthews, the 2017 Calder Trophy winner as the NHL's top rookie, is 3-0-0 against the Oilers in his NHL career and has two goals and three points. McDavid, who won the Ted Lindsay Award as the most outstanding player as voted by the NHLPA on Wednesday, has eight points (four goals, four assists) in five NHL games against Toronto.

 

 

FULL 2018/2019 NHL Regular Season Schedule

https://www.nhl.com/schedule

 

 

All Credits: NHL.com

Edited June 22, 2018 by phelps

[Belle 977]

I hope swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will picked as #1 in the 2018 NHL Entry draft. If he does that he will the first Swede to do that since Mats Sundin in 1989. 

[Agger 1,663]

20 minutes ago, Belle said:

I hope swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will picked as #1 in the 2018 NHL Entry draft. If he does that he will the first Swede to do that since Mats Sundin in 1989. 

 

Would be a massive surprise if he doesn't

[Belle 977]

38 minutes ago, Agger said:

 

Would be a massive surprise if he doesn't

Well I want to see it before I believe it. 

[phelps 7,709]

and it all went according to the plan...well, actually it happened only for the top 2 picks, however...

 

2018 NHL Draft top choices

 

1st, Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres)

2nd,   Andrei Svechnikov (Carolina Hurricanes)

3rd,   Jesperi Kotkaniemi (Montreal Canadiens)

4th, Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators)

5th,   Barrett Hayton (Arizona Coyotes)

 

2018 NHL Draft 1st Round complete breakdown

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-draft-picks-recap/c-299186680?tid=277764372

 

2018 NHL Draft Full Recap (at the moment it's only rd #1, but, as soon as it happens, also the following rounds will be added in ths page)

http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?year=2018&team=&position=&round=1

[phelps 7,709]

meanwhile these are the top news about the free agents market right now...

 

Kovalchuk could sign with Los Angeles, San Josè, Boston or Vegas...

https://www.nhl.com/news/agent-for-kovalchuk-meets-with-four-teams-heading-into-free-agency/c-299187786

 

and Tavares should re-sign with the New York Islanders after their strong draft picks

https://www.nhl.com/news/islanders-look-to-john-tavares-signing-after-1st-round/c-299214226

[hckošice 14,915]

Martin Feherváry first drafted Slovak of the 2018 edition, Drafted by the reigning champion Washington Capitals in 2nd round as 46th pick Congrats "Fehy"

 

 

[Belle 977]

Congrats Rasmus Dahlin. The second Swede to be selected as #1 in NHL entry draft. I'm so happy for him. 

[hckošice 14,915]

1 hour ago, hckosice said:

Martin Feherváry first drafted Slovak of the 2018 edition, Drafted by the reigning champion Washington Capitals in 2nd round as 46th pick Congrats "Fehy"

 

 

 

and 2 more Slovaks drafted this year and both in 4th round and both by my favorite team Calgary Flames

 

Martin Pospíšil as 105th

 

 

 

and Miloš Roman as 122nd