The National Hockey League wasted little time following the 2014-15 season to release the schedule for the upcoming 2015-16 campaign.
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The puck drops on the new slate on Oct. 7 in an evening of games that will be highlighted by the Chicago Blackhawks raising their Stanley Cup banner.
Just 13 days after the Blackhawks hoisted the Cup for the third time in six years and one day after the annual NHL Awards ceremony, the league has already flipped the script and is looking ahead to the 2015-16 campaign.
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With the release of the schedule, here are the five most highly-anticipated matchups for next season.
Oct. 9: Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings
It won't take long for coach Mike Babcock to return to the Motor City as he'll do so in just the second game of the season. Babcock will be behind the visitor's bench for the first time at the Joe Louis Arena since joining the Maple Leafs organization this summer on an eight-year, $50 million deal. These Original Six teams will meet in what will be the Red Wings' home-opener.
Oct. 24: Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks
After falling short in six games in the Stanley Cup Final, the Lightning won't have to wait very long to try to extract a little revenge on the Blackhawks as these two teams clash again in the first month of the season at the United Center. Tampa Bay returns to the very same place where its dreams were dashed as it watched Chicago parade around with the Cup. The teams meet again on Jan. 21 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay.
Dec. 2: New York Rangers at New York Islanders
The Islanders will call the Barclays Center in Brooklyn their home after shutting the doors on the Nassau Coliseum at the conclusion of the 2014-15 campaign. While the very first game against the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks on Oct. 9 will be notable, it'll be interesting to see if the Barclays Center can get as loud as the Old Barn when the Isles host their heated foe the Rangers, now that the rivalry has overtaken New York City.
Dec. 6: Buffalo Sabres at Edmonton Oilers
Both these teams finished near the bottom of the standings in 2015-16, but following this weekend's NHL Draft, there will be plenty of intrigue surrounding their first meeting of the season. The Oilers are expected to select highly-touted center Connor McDavid with the No. 1 overall pick while Buffalo is likely to choose Jack Eichel, who should be just as coveted as MacDavid. Barring injury or unforeseen developments, this game should mark the first meeting between two of the NHL's most explosive prospects.
Jan. 1: Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins
The NHL's annual New Year's Day Winter Classic is sure to live up to its name when these two Original Six rivals bring their hostility outdoors with two key points hanging in the balance in one of the most exciting days of the year for the NHL. The fourth meeting between these two clubs of the 2015-16 slate will take place at the home of the New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium, in should be a memorable game that helps to ring in 2016 with a bang. It will mark the first of three outdoor games as the Blackhawks and Wild play at TCF Stadium in Minnesota on Feb. 21 and the Avalanche host the Red Wings at Coors Field in Colorado on Feb. 27 - part of the 2015 NHL Stadium Series.
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