The NHL 2021/2022 regular season commenced on Tuesday 12th October with a doubleheader, 97 days after the Tampa Bay Lightning lifted the Stanley Cup. The Tampa Bay Lightning won their third championship banner, before going against the Pittsburgh Penguin at the Amalie Arena.
The second match of the night featured the Seattle Kraken (NHL’s 32nd Franchise), going against the Vegas Golden Knights. That was the Seattle Kraken’s first regular-season game, staged at the T-Mobile Arena. Since then, the league has continued offering great excitement to hockey fans around the world. Here’s a breakdown of key hockey dates for anyone looking for the best NHL Odds in Canada to wager on the matches online.
How Many Matches Will Be Played?
With two seasons having been cut short due to the pandemic, the 2021/2022 season promises great excitement with 82 games slated for the campaign. Here are four NHL games that every hockey fan must watch in the 2021/2022 season.
On 18 January, the Tampa Bay Lighting visited the Los Angeles Kings and skated off with a 6-4 win. Victor Hedman hit for a pair of goals for the Lightning.
The following night, the Toronto Maple Leafs paid a visit to Madison Square Garden and the New York Rangers. After falling behind in the opening frame by a 3-1 count, the Rangers rallied with five unanswered goals for a 6-3 win. Ryan Reaves and Adam Fox hit for doubles in the win.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Nashville Predators – 26th February 2022
Hosted at the Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium, this game will be the first outdoor match for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the regular season and the second for the Nashville Predators. That’s because the Predators participated in their first outdoor match in the regular season during the 2020 Winter Classic hosted in Dallas.
This year, the Predators will welcome the Lightning in Nashville at the Nissan Stadium, home to the Tennessee Titans (NFL team). Tampa Bay Lightning has won six out of their eight matches against the Nashville Predators last season when the two teams were part of the Discover Central Division. The two teams will play twice this season.
Edmonton Oilers vs Chicago Blackhawks – 3rd March
The Blackhawks will welcome the Edmond Oilers on the 3rd Match at Chicago’s United Center for the first time since November. Fans are highly anticipating this game as it will see the return of Chicago’s Duncan Keith on the team. Keith’s whole career of 1,192 NHL games has been with the Blackhawks, but he will be an opponent for them for the first time.
During his 17th season, Keith will be returning to the United Stadium only a few months after Edmonton hosted the Blackhawks on 20th November. The defense player was traded to the Oiler on 12th July, after helping the Blackhawks claim the Stanley’s Cup three times (2015, 2012 & 2010). Keith also brought home the Conn Smythe Trophy when he was the 2015 playoff MVP. Additionally, he’s the second player in Blackhawks history in total games played, 10th in points (625), and sixth in assists (520).
Other Significant Events
– The Olympic Break: 5-22 February 2022
With NHL players going back to the Olympic competition in 2022, league matches will be postponed for nearly a month. On 3rd September 2021, the league unveiled the officials had made a deal with the International Olympic Committee to allow hockey players to attend. Of course, with the pandemic still ongoing, there’s a possibility that things might change before the planned date.
– All-Star Game
Date: 5th February
Place: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
– 2021/2022 Stanley’s Cup Playoffs
Starting: 2nd May
Possible Final Date: 30th June
– 2022 NHL Entry Draft
First Round: 7th July
2nd – 7th Rounds: 8th July
Place: Montreal
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