Earlier this month, the Columbus Blue Jackets (along with the other 31 NHL teams) released their full schedule for the upcoming season.
Highlights
Stadium Series
The most anticipated game will be on March 1, with the Jackets playing in their first outdoor game in franchise history. They will be hosting the Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium.
Ticket information has not been released yet, but once it is we will set up a way for members of the Cannon community to coordinate on buying/selling/trading tickets. We will also be exploring the possibility of hosting a tailgate on site. Stay tuned!
4 Nations Face-Off
In lieu of the typical All-Star Game and bye week, all teams will get the same two week break in mid-February for the 4 Nations Face-Off. This mini-tournament held in Montreal and Boston will feature the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. It’s the closest thing we’ve had to best-on-best international hockey since the 2016 World Cup. It will be a preview of the 2026 Winter Olympics (which will feature NHLers for the first time since 2014) and a future World Cup two years after that.
Back in February, I attempted to predict which Blue Jackets players (if any) could participate in this event.
Utah
The “newest” team in the NHL is the Utah Hockey Club. For record purposes, the NHL is considering it a fresh start. From a practical standpoint, it has the hockey staff, roster, and prospects of the dearly departed Arizona Coyotes. The Jackets make their first trip to Salt Lake City on January 31 and host the future Yeti/Mammoth the next Thursday.
Opening Night
It’s a rough start to the season, with a two game roadtrip to Minnesota and Colorado (both teams’ home openers). Then, the first game in Nationwide is on Tuesday, October 15 against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers.
New Year’s Eve
Always a great atmosphere, the Jackets are at home again for the December 31 game, this time against the Carolina Panthers Hurricanes. It’s a later than usual start time (8:00 PM local) so it’s a great opportunity to watch the game, then hang out in an Arena District establishment to watch the ball drop at midnight.
Best Road Trips
October 26 – Nashville
I have not yet been to a game in Nashville, but I’ve heard great things. This one intrigues me. It’s not a far trip, and easy enough to make without taking much (if any) time off work.
November 9/10 – Los Angeles and Anaheim
I did this trip last season and I highly recommend it. I enjoyed both arenas: LA’s is HUGE but the crowd was a lot of fun, even for a Tuesday night game
January 18/20 – Big Apple
The Rangers in MSG on a Saturday night, then hop on over to Belmont Park on MLK Day to see the Islanders.
March 4/6 – Tampa and Florida
After the Stadium Series, take a spring break and see either (or both) of the Florida teams.
Numbers
Games by month:
October: 9 (6 home)
November: 13 (6 home)
December: 16 (7 home)
January: 14 (6 home)
February: 7 (4 home)
March: 13 (6 home, including the Stadium Series)
April: 10 (6 home)
One stretch in January and early February features 8 out of 9 games on the road in an 18 day span.
Games by days of the week:
Sunday: 8 (0 home)
Monday: 6 (3 home)
Tuesday: 17 (8 home)
Wednesday: 3 (2 home)
Thursday: 19 (13 home)
Friday: 8 (5 home)
Saturday: 21 (10 home)
Back-to-backs
12 (down from 13 last season)
Rest
In more good news, we have more games with a rest advantage than games with a rest disadvantage:
Last season we were one of the worst:
There are also 6 times where the Jackets have a break of at least 3 days. Hopefully that can contribute to an overall healthier season.
What are your thoughts on the schedule? Any games or stretches of games that catch your attention?
