By NHL Public Relations

• All 7-Canadian clubs are in action Oct. 11, the second day of the 2023-24 campaign, including three all-Canadian matchups: Canadiens at Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET), Senators at Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET), Jets at Flames (10 p.m. ET) and Oilers at Canucks (10 p.m. ET).

• Toronto and Montreal will be meeting in a mutual season-opening game for the fifth time in six seasons, with the Maple Leafs winning four of the previous five entering this campaign (TOR: 3-1-0; MTL: 1-1-2). The 2023-24 schedule marks the 21st time the longtime rivals have been opponents in a mutual season-opening game – the highest such total in NHL history, ahead of the Canucks-Flames, Blackhawks-Red Wings and Canadiens-Bruins (all at 11).
• The Senators are opening their campaign on the road for the second time in as many seasons following Oct. 13, 2022 (at BUF). Ottawa shares the NHL’s best points percentage (.611) when opening the season on the road with Colorado (min. 5 GP); each club is 9-5-4 in those contests. Without a games played minimum, the Golden Knights hold that distinction, winning both of their games (Oct. 6, 2017 at DAL & Oct. 11, 2022 at AK).
• Calgary and Winnipeg meet to begin 2023-24 after each club skated to a victory to begin 2022-23. The Jets, who also shared a mutual season-opening game with the Flames to begin 2020-21, have only faced one other opponent multiple times in their first game of a campaign since relocating to Winnipeg in 2011-12 (NYR: Oct. 14, 2022 & Oct. 3, 2019). Meanwhile, Calgary looks to win consecutive season openers for the third time in franchise history following 1989-90 to 1991-92 (3 GP) and 1985-86 to 1987-88 (3 GP).
• The 2022-23 campaign marks the fifth consecutive in which Edmonton and Vancouver will meet in each club’s first game of the season; the Oilers hold a 3-1-0 advantage (VAN: 1-2-1). Connor McDavid enters the campaign within reach of hitting the 900- and 1,000-point milestones and hit the 700 point milestone with four-point outing in last year’s season opener against the Canucks. last year. McDavid, who’s collected three or more points in a season-opening contest three times in his career can join Jaromir Jagr (6x), Bernie Federko (5x), Bobby Hull (5x), Adam Oates (4x), Jari Kurri (4x), Joe Sakic (4x), Ray Bourque (4x) and Wayne Gretzky (4x) in achieving the feat on at least four occasions.

ALL-TIME RECORDS IN HOME OPENERS
Download the PDF for each team’s record in home openers as well as the date and opponent of their 2023-24 home opener.

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Attachments:

NHLStatsPack_SeasonOpeners 2023-24.pdf

ICE CHIPS

* This will mark the fourth time that an NHL opening day with at least three games will include only U.S.-based teams. The others: Oct. 11, 1968 (DET at BOS, STL at CHI & MNS at OAK), Oct. 9, 2002 (NYR at CAR, DAL at COL & PHX at LAK) and Oct. 8, 2003 (NJD at BOS, ANA at DAL & MIN at CHI).

* Download the PDF for a list of single-game highs by NHL teams, skaters and goaltenders during season-opening games. A list of each team’s record in home openers, as well as the date and opponent of their 2023-24 home opener is also included in the attached PDF.

The NHL’s all-time standings in season-opening games can be found on Records.NHL.com:

* Season Opener Standings, Overall
* Season Opener Standings, When Opening at Home
* Season Opener Standings, When Opening on Road

Source: NHL Public Relations