Opening Night is here!
No, not baseball opening night. Opening Night for National Hockey League is upon us all and it is truly a very exciting time for hockey fans everywhere. The start of the new season means a new start, high hopes, and expectations for all 30 teams across the NHL. It is an evening of celebration and return of the game we love across the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world.
For all 30 teams across the league, this is simply the beginning of a long seven month journey to the playoffs where one team will ultimately hoist the Stanley Cup. It is new beginning of what will be another great season in the NHL and its fans. NHL Arenas will once more fill up to full capacity, enjoying the fast pace action on the ice as well as the roar of the crowd with every goal scored, every sparkling save made, as well as the groans of the crowd (depending on which team you are rooting for).
The return of the NHL regular season means the return of elite goaltenders across the league as we get to look them make save after save as quite possibly score a goal. We will get the chance to look goaltenders such as Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers), Tuuka Rask (Boston Bruins), Ben Bishop (Tampa Bay Lightning), as well as Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) display elite goaltending on a nightly basis. It also means we will get the opportunity to see goaltenders get the opportunity to make their mark as a starter for the first time such as Corey Schneider of the New Jersey Devils, who now takes over the starting job after legend and future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur was not brought back after the end of the 2013-2014 season.
The return of the NHL regular season also means the return and rise of elite goal scorers. There is truly a thing of beauty looking players such as Alex Oveckin (Washington Capitals), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Phil Kessel (Toronto Maple Leafs) among others light up the lamp on consistent basis for their respective teams. The feeling and excitement of looking your favorite player score a goal with permeate the air once more throughout the season.
The return of the NHL regular season also means the annual predictions and debate over who are the legitimate contenders to win the Stanley Cup this season. The Los Angeles Kings enter this season as the defending Stanley Cup champions. The big question surrounding this team is: Can the Kings repeat as champions and become the first NHL team to win back to back Stanley Cup championships since the Detroit Red Wings did it in 1997 and 1998? Can the Chicago Blackhawks get back to the Stanley Finals after falling short in the Western Conference Finals a season ago? Can the St. Louis Blues finally get over the hump with their new addition Paul Statsny? Can a team in the Eastern Conference hoist the Cup? New York Rangers? Pittsburgh Penguins? Boston Bruins? Montreal Canadiens? Or will there be a surprise team in the Eastern Conference that may get into the playoffs?
The start of the NHL season tonight may be filled with many unknown to many of our questions. However, only time will tell who will be the team that surprises everyone, the team that meets and exceeds expectations, and the team that disappoints us all. No matter what the outcome is, this is season we rejoice that hockey is back.
Happy NHL Opening Night everyone!