NHL Preview: Big Game Days

By: 
Chris Peters

1| Winter Classic – Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens – Jan. 1 – Gillette Stadium

Imagine what is going to happen when you take one of the NHL’s great rivalries and throw it outside. The cold temperatures and snowy weather at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., should make for some great visuals when the Boston Bruins take on the Montreal Canadiens to ring in the New Year.

2| NHL Stadium Series – Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks – Feb. 21 – TCF Bank Stadium

NHL fans in Minnesota have been calling for an outdoor game to come to the “State of Hockey” and they’ll finally get it this season. The defending champion Blackhawks will meet the hometown Wild at TCF Bank Stadium in one of the marquee events of Hockey Weekend Across America.

Members of the Minnesota Wild are looking forward to taking their game outdoors against the Chicago Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium on Feb. 21 as part of Hockey Weekend Across America.Members of the Minnesota Wild are looking forward to taking their game outdoors against the Chicago Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium on Feb. 21 as part of Hockey Weekend Across America.

3|  NHL Stadium Series –Detroit Red Wings vs. Colorado Avalanche – Feb. 27 – Coors Field

One of the best NHL rivalries of the late 1990s and early 2000s will be rekindled when the Red Wings and Avalanche clash in downtown Denver. Among the events surrounding the game, the Wings and Avs will have an alumni game featuring many of the best players from their rivalry era.

4|  First game at Barclays – New York Islanders vs. Chicago Blackhawks – Oct. 9 – Barclays Center

The New York Islanders open their new digs at the Barclays Center in the borough of Brooklyn against the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks.

5|  Final Shot – Last Day Of The Regular Season – April 9

This could be the biggest day on the NHL regular-season calendar. It’s the last day of the 2015-16 season and all 30 NHL teams will be in action. If it’s anything like last year, some of the tight playoff races could go down to the wire.

Issue: 
2015-10

Poll

Who is your favorite American player?
Auston Matthews
21%
Jason Robertson
6%
Tage Thompson
11%
Matthew Tkachuk
7%
Patrick Kane
22%
Other
33%
Total votes: 339