NHL Preview: 25 Games You Can't Miss This October

Hockey's offseason may be the shortest of the four major sports in America, but for fans, it is still too long.  Thankfully, relief is on the way, as the 2011-12 NHL season begins tonight.

Fans have already spent months analyzing offseason moves, predicting award winners and filling out a Stanley Cup bracket, but now that the sound of water cooler banter can take a backseat to the sounds of sharp blades on fresh ice, fans can finally see how the new season will begin to take shape.

Watching your team goes without saying, but following all the story lines of the NHL is what makes a true hockey fan.  Here are 25 NHL games in October that you simply cannot miss.

1) October 6th: Flyers vs. Bruins

It’s Opening Night, and even if you hate the Bruins with a fiery passion, it is your duty as a hockey fan to watch the defending champs raise the banner.  It’ll just make you that much more hungry for the Cup. 

In addition, the Philadelphia Flyers intend to be one of the most watchable teams this year, as a passionate city looks to embrace a new group of young talent.  You have no excuse for missing the first faceoff of the year…

2) October 6th: Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs

…or the second.  Utilize the “Last” button on the remote to watch both openers at 7:00.  Hockey’s oldest rivalry is always a can’t-miss, and this year will have the added bonus of seeing both teams jockey for position in the Northeast Division. 

Hockey in Canada is always interesting.  But this season, it will be extra interesting.

3) October 6th: Penguins vs. Canucks

There are three games played Opening Night, and you better be ready to stay up late watching all three.  Evgeni Malkin returns to the Penguins, and the Canucks start the season with a boyish optimism that makes them believe they won’t blow it again this year. 

Both these teams have a legitimate shot at the President’s Trophy, as the team that finishes with the most points.  Make sure you're awake to see which team gets the first two.

4) October 7th: Rangers vs. Kings

You stayed up late for Pens-Nucks, so you might as well skip work entirely and tune in to the Rangers and Kings, being played in Stockholm at 1:00 in the afternoon on the East Coast.  The offseason’s top free agent (Brad) and top trade commodity (Mike) square off in a battle of the Richards’s between two teams looking to make the next step. 

Who gets off to the quick start?  And just as importantly, who do those Swedes decide to root for?

5) October 8th: Stars vs. Blackhawks

The second half of the season’s first home-and-home takes place in Chicago, where the ‘Hawks host the Stars.  These teams might not be evenly matched, but all it takes is a boarding penalty or cheap open-ice hit the night before, and this matchup becomes very interesting.

So rarely do two teams playing back-to-back games still like each other by the time the second one starts.  The score might be lopsided, but the on-ice action has tons of potential.

6) October 9th: Canadiens vs. Jets

It’s the first NHL game to be played in Winnipeg since 1996, and while few people care about the Winnipeg Jets (though not as few as cared about the Atlanta Thrashers, apparently), there is something special about witnessing the collective joy of 15,000 fans getting their franchise back. 

Unless you’re a Canadiens loyalist, you’ll be rooting for the Jets to reward the city of Winnipeg’s persistence by chalking up a win in the team’s first game.

7) October 10th: Wild vs. Islanders

This is a great chance to see a couple old faces in new uniforms.  Dany Heatley looks to revamp his career in Minnesota, and Evgeni Nabokov returns to the NHL for the Isles (if he feels like showing up).  Both teams are still years away from being feared, but there is no doubt that they are franchises on the rise. 

This game is also a must-watch for Quebec Nordiques fans, who seem to be intent on getting somebody -- ANYBODY -- to move to French Canada.

8) October 10th: Lightning vs. Capitals

The Southeast Division may not get a ton of respect in the NHL, but its superstars get more than their share of attention.  Both these teams are legitimate contenders for the President’s Trophy, Prince of Wales Trophy, and Stanley Cup.  But don’t be surprised if ESPN boils this down to Ovechkin vs. Stamkos.

Actually, I’d be surprised if ESPN mentions this game at all.

9) October 13th: Capitals vs. Penguins

Okay, here’s one ESPN will talk about.  The Crosby and Ovechkin factor might not be the selling point due to Sid’s concussion, but Ovechkin vs. Malkin is almost as good.  While you might consider this whole rivalry to be manufactured by Gary Bettman, you have to acknowledge that both of these teams are going to be forces in the NHL this year. 

Or maybe, you find this rivalry downright annoying.  In that case, be unconventional the night of the 13th and tune in to something a little different…

10) October 13th: Avalanche vs. Senators

Perhaps you pride yourself on being a die-hard hockey fan, who hates the hype created by the front office anytime the Caps and Pens face off.  If that’s the case, make your statement by tuning in to a game Gary Bettman doesn’t care about: I give you, Avs and Sens.

You’re either a fan of one of the teams, or you lost a bet.  Either way, enjoy the Battle of the Conference Basements.

11) October 14th: Hurricanes vs. Sabres

Two franchises that know the frustration of living in the shadow of New York City (can you hear me, Hartford?), and two goaltenders intent on carrying their respective teams to the playoffs.  What’s not to like about this matchup?

This will also be Buffalo’s first game in the United States this season, and with expectations for the Sabres so high, HSBC Arena will be anything but quiet on this Friday night.  It will take the best efforts of Ward, Staal and Skinner to silence a Buffalo crowd that is years beyond ready for a Stanley Cup.

12) October 14th: Sharks vs. Ducks

The Pacific Division battle may not be the most interesting three-way you can find on your television, but it’s the best one that won’t cost you 10 bucks to order.  The Sharks, Ducks and Kings will be jockeying for position all year, so this regular season battle will be an early statement on who is the team to beat.

One of hockey’s most dangerous offensive lines goes toe-to-toe with one of the league’s top defenses… what’s not to like?  This will be the first of six great matchups between Anaheim and San Jose this season.

13) October 15th: Kings vs. Flyers

They say the captain goes down with the ship, but in the Flyers’ case, the ship got rid of him entirely.  Mike Richards returns to the city that shockingly abandoned him in his prime, and you know you’re interested in seeing how the fans that loved and hated him greet Richie when he steps back onto Philadelphia ice. 

His Kings are one of the league’s most dangerous teams and will play the Flyers tough, so after the game, Richards may have a great reason to party in Olde City.  Not that he’s ever needed one.

14) October 15th: Jets vs. Coyotes

Or is it Jets vs. Jets?  Last season, the 'Yotes seemed like the franchise most likely to relocate to Winnipeg, where the team originated.  Instead the Thrashers found their way to Manitoba, and the Coyotes remain in limbo. 

In addition, this could be the last home opener in Phoenix, and it will be worth checking out how many fans come out to support the team.  My prediction: not nearly enough.

15) October 15th: Bruins vs. Blackhawks

The two most recent Stanley Cup champions (and members of the Original Six Club) square off in the Windy City for a matchup that seems to be the perfect blend of young superstars and decorated veteran players. 

Let’s hope Red Sox and Cubs fans can take a few hours off of arguing over Theo Epstein to appreciate some of the best hockey you’ll watch this year. 

16) October 18th: Oilers vs. Flames

Tuesday the 18^th is chock full of games, but the best matchup may be one that surprises you: tune in to the Oilers and Flames.  The Alberta Rivalry may be uninteresting to most of America, but don’t tell that to the people of Edmonton and Calgary.  There is pride at stake.

Besides, if ever there was a good reason to watch Jarome Iginla, see how he matches up against some of the best young players in the NHL.

17) October 20th: Capitals vs. Flyers

Flyers-Caps has become one of hockey’s better non-divisional rivalries in recent years, but without Mike Richards dropping the gloves with Alex Ovechkin, these teams may need to find new reasons to get competitive. 

Here’s one: each team has a new goaltender expected to carry his team to the Stanley Cup Finals.  Ilya Bryzgalov and Tomas Vokoun may not be on the level of Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy, but both franchises feel that their netminders are the final piece in the championship puzzle.

18) October 22nd: Devils vs. Penguins

The Atlantic Division has shifted over the years, and unfortunately, the Devils are no longer the East’s most difficult team to play against.  Despite that, this is not a group of slouches. 

The team played spoiler in the second half of last season, and the only guy in Jersey more determined to prove he can score than Ilya Kovalchuk is The Situation.  This is the perfect game for the Devils to prove that they will not go quietly into the basement of the Atlantic.

19) October 25th: Sharks vs. Predators

Isn’t it about time the Predators got a little respect?  It seems like last year, the only time Nashville got any attention was when Carrie Underwood graced the stands.  Yet the team could very well see a Vezina Trophy (Pekka Rinne), Jack Adams Award (Barry Trotz) and Norris Trophy (Shea Weber) this June. 

If you’ve got nothing better to do on Tuesday the 25^th, see how they stack up against the Sharks.  Who would’ve thought San Jose and Nashville could be hotbeds for great hockey?

20) October 25th: Canucks vs. Oilers

You would be a fool to think this game will be a close battle, but you’d be just as foolish to think it won’t be entertaining.  Vancouver is obviously the better team, but for how long?  The home-grown talent in Edmonton is a year older, and they can smell success around the corner.

Who better to emulate in the regular season than the Canucks?  Expect the Oilers to make a statement in this one, even if they don’t win: you’ll know the names Hall, Eberle, Omark and Nugent-Hopkins as well as you know Sedin, Kesler and Bieksa one day.

21) October 27th: Canadiens vs. Bruins

Where do you start with Boston vs. Montreal?  For one, this matchup will pit two of the most aggressive, trash-talking fan bases against one another, and that is always fun for the outside observer. 

Combine that with an unrelenting seven game series last year, a criminal investigation for a hockey hit, and two of the most motivated goaltenders in the game, and you’ve got a recipe for hockey you simply cannot miss.

22) October 28th: Sharks vs. Red Wings

The days of the Detroit-Colorado rivalry are long gone, but the days of Detroit-San Jose may just be beginning.  The Wings and Sharks are perennial playoff contenders, and the intensity between the two teams will only pick up as they continue to face each other. 

This game could be a great moment in the birth of a great non-divisional rivalry.

23) October 29th: Blue Jackets vs. Blackhawks

2011-12 is a big year for Columbus, as the team strongly believes it has taken strides toward becoming a legitimate threat in the league.  The team is yet to win a playoff game in its history, but the addition of Jeff Carter could bolster superstar Rick Nash, and the youth of the team is a point of pride. 

The Jackets don’t have the upper hand on the ‘Hawks, but if you don’t check out Columbus early this year, you may miss out on one of hockey’s surprising up-and-comers.

24) October 30th: Blues vs. Oilers

Last year, the Blues found themselves disappointed at season’s end.  Home to some of the best rising role players in the league and having acquired Montreal’s former playoff hero in Jaroslav Halak, St. Louis failed to live up to expectations in 2010-11.  By the end of this October, it should become clear whether or not this team is ready to compete in the Central Division.

Added bonus:  This is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’s ninth game.  Expect him to play his heart out to prove he belongs on the Edmonton roster all year, and not in juniors.

25) October ??: Panthers vs. ???

Every team has gotten a mention on this list except Florida.  So, be nice.  Find time to watch a Panthers game.  It would mean a lot to them.  But I understand if you don’t.

So the real No. 25 is…

TBD: Sidney Crosby's Return

We know it won’t be Opening Night, but it could be sometime this month: Sid the Kid will play for the first time since January 5^th.  His concussion symptoms have been a point of conversation this offseason, and are one of the reasons that new disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan has committed to protecting players from hits to the head. 

Barring major setbacks, Crosby looks poised to return sometime this month.  When he is ready, even networks reticent to talk hockey will report it (I’m looking at you, ESPN.  The NBA lockout can’t command THAT much attention), and you’ll know to tune in.  Love him or hate him, hockey needs its poster boy back.