The first night of the regular season without the Blackhawks is upon us. There are seven games on the schedule, including five featuring Central Division teams.
The Winnipeg Jets visit the depleted Boston Bruins, while the defending division champion St. Louis Blues host the Edmonton Oilers and No. 1 overall pick Connor McDavid. The Nashville Predators host the Carolina Hurricanes and the Minnesota Wild visit the Colorado Avalanche in the only Central Division matchup. Former Blackhawks Patrick Sharp and Johnny Oduya play against Phil Kessel and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Dallas Stars’ home opener.
The other two games not featuring Central Division teams offer plenty of intrigue as well. The Ottawa Senators visit the Buffalo Sabres and No. 2 overall pick Jack Eichel, while the defending Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning host the Philadelphia Flyers.
Here’s the schedule for Thursday’s action:
| Home team | Away team | Time | Network |
| Boston Bruins | Winnipeg Jets | 6 p.m. CT | TSN3, NESN |
| Buffalo Sabres | Ottawa Senators | 6 p.m. CT | RDS, TSN5, MSG |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Philadelphia Flyers | 6:30 p.m. CT | TVAS2-CSN-PHI |
| St. Louis Blues | Edmonton Oilers | 7 p.m. CT | SN360, FS-MW |
| Nashville Predators | Carolina Hurricanes | 7 p.m. CT | FS-CR, FS-TN |
| Dallas Stars | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7:30 p.m. CT | ROOT, FS-SW |
| Colorado Avalanche | Minnesota Wild | 8 p.m. CT | NBCSN |
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