Mon Sep 16 15:33:19 UTC 2024: ## NHL Season Preview: 20 Top Games to Watch in 2024-25

With the NHL season kicking off soon, fans are eagerly anticipating the action-packed schedule. This season boasts a plethora of intriguing matchups, featuring the return of star players, the debut of highly touted rookies, and the continuation of heated rivalries.

Here are 20 games to circle on your calendar:

**1. Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Dec. 16):** This game will be a rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, featuring Jake Guentzel in a Tampa Bay Lightning jersey for the first time.

**2. San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators (Opening Night):** This matchup features the NHL debut of highly touted prospect Macklin Celebrini, who joins teammate Will Smith in making their NHL debuts.

**3. Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (Date TBA):** This game will be an emotional one, marking the first game in Columbus since the passing of Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau.

**4. Nashville Predators vs. Arizona Coyotes (Date TBA):** This game will showcase the revamped Predators, featuring star additions like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, against the Coyotes, who have relocated to Utah.

**5. Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers (Date TBA):** This game features the highly anticipated NHL debut of Matvei Michkov, the Russian forward who was drafted by the Flyers in 2023.

**6. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Utah Hockey Club (Date TBA):** This game will be the first home game for the newly relocated Utah Hockey Club, and will also feature the sophomore season of Blackhawks star Connor Bedard.

**7. St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Winter Classic, Date TBA):** This outdoor classic will be played at Wrigley Field, marking the second time the iconic stadium hosts the event.

**8. Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers (Date TBA):** This game will see the Stars looking for revenge against the Oilers, who eliminated them from the playoffs last season.

**9. New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres (Global Series, Date TBA):** The NHL season will kick off in Prague, Czech Republic, with this game featuring the Devils, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season, against the Sabres, who hope to make a playoff push.

**10. 4 Nations Face-Off (Feb. 13):** This round-robin tournament will feature national teams from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden, replacing the NHL All-Star Game in 2025.

**11. Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (Outdoor Game, Date TBA):** The Red Wings will face the Blue Jackets in Ohio Stadium, known as “The Shoe,” adding to the NHL’s tradition of playing outdoor games in iconic venues.

**12. Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins (Date TBA):** This game will be a rematch of the second-round series from the 2024 playoffs, and will feature Jeremy Swayman as the Bruins’ starting goalie.

**13. Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers (Date TBA):** This rivalry, known as the “Battle of Alberta,” is always heated and competitive, and is sure to deliver another exciting matchup.

**14. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes (Date TBA):** This game will see Jake Guentzel return to Pittsburgh for the first time since being traded to the Hurricanes.

**15. Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights (Date TBA):** This game features Alex Ovechkin, who is nearing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record, and will be a rematch of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals.

**16. Seattle Kraken vs. Florida Panthers (Date TBA):** This matchup will see Brandon Montour facing his former team, the Panthers, after signing a contract with the Kraken.

**17. Florida Panthers vs. Vegas Golden Knights (Date TBA):** This game could be a preview of a potential Stanley Cup Finals matchup between two of the league’s elite teams.

**18. Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars (Date TBA):** This game is a potential playoff preview, with the Avalanche looking to rebound from disappointing playoff runs and Landeskog returning to the lineup.

**19. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins (Date TBA):** This rivalry has produced many exciting games, and this matchup promises to be another hard-fought battle.

**20. Detroit Red Wings vs. Florida Panthers (Date TBA):** This game will see Vladimir Tarasenko return to face his former team, the Panthers, after signing with the Red Wings.

With a packed schedule of exciting games, the 2024-25 NHL season promises to be full of drama, upsets, and unforgettable moments. Don’t miss out on the action!

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