Happy Monday y'all! With the schedule just being released, we'll go over some of the matchups we are most looking forward to in 2026-27. Remember, this season we will have 84 regular season games so if you are a season long prop bettor, take into consideration the extra two games that players are going to get when it comes to point/goal total, etc.

With 84 games, hopefully they can re-work the schedule to create more divisional games for rivalry purposes. It would create more of a battle for playoff positioning and with more regular season matchups, maybe the league would look into moving back to a more traditional playoff format.

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Seattle Kraken at Edmonton Oilers: October 3rd, 2026 – We won't have to wait long for this contest. It doesn't stem from last season, but the IIHF World Championship game consisting of Team Canada vs Team USA. Defenseman Ryan Lindgren completely obliterated defenseman Evan Bouchard while trying to enter the zone and Bouchard was out the rest of the tournament with a concussion. Even though it happened in international waters, I'm sure the first time they face each other, some of Bouchard's teammates are going to stick up for him. This has the makings of a classic, old school NHL game.

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Montreal Canadiens at Winnipeg Jets: October 25, 2026 -The Hertiage Classic at Princess Auto Stadium will be the first outdoor game of the season and with it being in Winnipeg, we are lucky it is in October and not deep into the season. The weather should be perfect and these two high flying teams (at least the Habs) should be fun to watch on the pond.

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Carolina Hurricanes "at" Seattle Kraken (November 12 and 14, 2026) and Ottawa Senators "at" Chicago Blackhawks (December 18 and 20, 2026) – I use "at" because these are our two Global Series matchups this year, the first one in Finland and the latter in Germany. The international stage is always fun for the players that get to play in their home country and we benefit because we get to watch morning hockey!

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Los Angeles Kings at Minnesota Wild: December 22, 2026 – I did not realize Mats Zuccarello spent seven seasons with the Minnesota Wild, but here we are. The Norwegian had great chemistry with Kirill Kaprizov and he is always a fan favorite wherever he goes, so I am sure the Wild fans will give him a standing O.

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Colorado Avalanche at Utah Mammoth, Winter Classic: December 31, 2026 – I don't know about you, but I'm glad we have some new blood in the Winter Classic. The Avs have played in a few Stadium Series and the Mammoth have never played outdoors. Both teams were in the playoffs last season and it should be a competitive game, but Mammoth Ryan Smith has put a lot of money into his organization so I think he'll spend some dough on the show part of the event. Plus, it will help grow the game even more in the state of Utah.

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Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights: January 2, 2027 – The first rematch of the Western Conference Final will be in Vegas, but we won't see it until 2027! Obviously, the organizations are different so it won't be a true rematch, but when two top teams come together, it is always a matchup worth watching. They play a home and home with the second game on January 4th so we may see a little playoff atmosphere during those two games.

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San Jose Sharks at Edmonton Oilers: January 13, 2027 – These two organizations play October 10, but the first game in Edmonton isn't for another three months. After 12 years with the club that drafted him, Nurse will return to Edmonton for the first time in an opposing jersey. He was always one of the main scapegoats amongst fans and media so will he be booed or applauded? Time will tell.

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Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars, Stadium Series: February 20, 2027 – Another outdoor game, this time at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. It is always a battle between both of these clubs as they have met in the playoffs three times in the past six postseasons and taking it outside will add another level to this rivalry.

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What game(s) are you most looking forward to this season? Let me know on Twitter, @LAM1926. Have a great week everyone!