The start of the 2022-23 NHL season will look a bit different than it has in previous years.
Regular season NHL games are set to begin on Friday, October 7, but only for two teams, the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators, who are set to play in Europe. A curious decision by the NHL indeed to begin the regular season on a Friday and at 2 p.m. ET no less.
So, what gives here? Well, the reason the season is beginning in Europe is due to the 2022 NHL Global Series. The Predators and Sharks will play in two regulation international games in the Czech Republic on October 7 and 8 to kick off the start of the 2022-23 NHL season.
Previously, the NHL has had early season games in Europe as part of the Global Series. Most recently, the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers played in the Czech Republic in 2019. However, this is the first time the NHL Global Series has begun a season for the NHL.
The rest of the season will begin on Tuesday, October 11. You can watch the 2022-23 NHL season streaming on ESPN+.
