When does the NHL season start? Everything to know about the beginning of the 2022-23 campaign
It feels like yesterday as we watched Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and the rest of the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup to wrap up the 2021-22 NHL season.
Believe it or not, next season is fast approaching. We are exactly six weeks away from the start of the 2022-23 campaign.
The off-season has had its fair share of big storylines. Shane Wright dropped 4th in the NHL draft, Johnny Gaudreau shocked the hockey world by signing with the Blue Jackets, the Senators traded Alex DeBrincat and much, much more.
The NHL is once again taking its talents overseas to kickstart the new season; The first games on the schedule are part of the NHL Global Series. The Sharks and Predators play two contests in Prague, Czech Republic.
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Here’s what you need to know about the start of the 2022-23 NHL season.
When does the 2022-23 NHL season begin?
- Date: Friday October 7th
- Game: Sharks vs. Predators
- Puck drop: 2 p.m. ET
The opening game of the 2022-23 NHL season will be held in Europe. The league kicks off the campaign with its Global Series. This year the series will be played in Prague, Czech Republic at the O2 Arena. The Sharks and the Predators play back-to-back games on October 7th and 8th.
Opening night in North America takes place on Tuesday, October 11th with a doubleheader of Lightning vs. Rangers and Golden Knights vs. Kings.
NHL schedule for the first week of the 2022-23 season
Friday October 7th
| Match | time |
|---|---|
| Predators vs Sharks | 14 o’clock |
Saturday October 8th
| Match | time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Sharks vs. Predators | 14 o’clock |
Tuesday October 11th
| Match | time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Rangers vs Lightning | 19:30 o’clock |
| Kings vs Golden Knights | 22 O `clock |
Wednesday October 12th
| Match | time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets | 19 o’clock |
| Canadians vs. Maple Leafs | 19 o’clock |
| Capitals vs. Bruins | 19 o’clock |
| Avalanche vs Blackhawks | 9:30 p.m |
| Ducks vs Octopuses | 22 O `clock |
| Oilers vs. Canucks | 22 O `clock |
Thursday October 13th
| Match | time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Sabers against senators | 19 o’clock |
| Airman vs Devil | 19 o’clock |
| Penguins vs Coyotes | 19 o’clock |
| Islanders vs Panthers | 19:30 o’clock |
| Maple Leafs vs. Capitals | 19:30 o’clock |
| Wild vs Rangers | 8 p.m |
| Predators against stars | 8 p.m |
| Flames vs. Avalanche | 9:30 p.m |
| Golden Knights vs Blackhawks | 22 O `clock |
| Kings vs Kraken | 10:30 p.m |
Friday October 14th
| Match | time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Blue jacket against Lightning | 19 o’clock |
| Red Wings vs Canadians | 19:30 o’clock |
| Jets vs Rangers | 8 p.m |
| Sharks vs Hurricanes | 10:30 p.m |
Saturday October 15th
| Match | time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Saber vs Panther | 13 o’clock |
| Flyers against Canucks | 4 p.m |
| Bruins versus coyotes | 19 o’clock |
| Devils vs Red Wings | 19 o’clock |
| Penguins vs Lightning | 19 o’clock |
| Maple Leafs vs. Senators | 19 o’clock |
| Capitals vs. Canadians | 19 o’clock |
| Islanders vs Ducks | 19:30 o’clock |
| Stars vs. Predators | 8 p.m |
| Wild vs. Kings | 8 p.m |
| Blues vs Blue Jackets | 8 p.m |
| Oilers vs. Flames | 22 O `clock |
| Kraken vs. Golden Knights | 22 O `clock |
| Sharks vs Blackhawks | 10:30 p.m |
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COVID-19 and the start of the NHL season
The NHL and NHLPA have announced changes to COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming season.
Under the new protocols, teams are allowed to ban unvaccinated players who are unable to participate in team activities due to their vaccination status. Teams can force players to forego their wages in these circumstances. If a vaccinated player tests positive, they can continue to be paid even if they are unable to participate in team activities.
If a player shows symptoms of COVID-19, they must undergo a rapid test and quarantine pending the results. If the first test is negative, the player must test himself daily for three days.
If a player tests positive, as long as they are asymptomatic, they can leave isolation within the first five days once they have two consecutive negative test results. Players who are symptomatic and are in quarantine between six and nine days can exit isolation with a negative test result if it occurs more than 24 hours after their last fever. Once someone leaves quarantine in less than 10 days, they must wear a mask until 10 days have passed since the positive test.
Organizations are required to disclose all positive COVID-19 cases to the media. Commissioner Gary Bettman may still postpone, delay, or reschedule training camp or any portion of the NHL season if the league or NHLPA believes continuing the season “creates a material risk to the health and safety of players or others.” or would exacerbate and/or jeopardize the health and safety integrity of the competition anticipated during the 2022-23 season.”