Thursday NHL Schedule: Debut of Top Draft Pick, Returns of Toews and Hughes, and More Exciting Matchups
The NHL schedule for Thursday features 14 games, with two games being nationally televised. Canadian viewers can also catch the debut of "NHL Coast to Coast" on Prime Video, offering live look-ins, highlights, and analysis of all the games. One of the highlights of the day is the NHL debut of Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, as he faces off against the Pittsburgh Penguins with the New York Islanders.
Another notable return is that of Jonathan Toews, who will play his first NHL game since April 13, 2023, with the Winnipeg Jets against the Dallas Stars at Canada Life Centre. Toews, a Winnipeg native, previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks and is set to make a comeback after health issues sidelined him for the past two seasons. He will be a key player to watch in his hometown debut.
Jack Hughes, the top center for the New Jersey Devils, is also making a return to the ice after being sidelined with a shoulder injury since March 2. He will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Devils' season opener at Lenovo Center. This game will also mark the Carolina debut for forward Nikolaj Ehlers and defenseman K'Andre Miller.
Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks had an impressive rookie season, leading the team in points, but the Sharks finished last in the League standings. Celebrini and the Sharks will look to improve their performance as they face Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights, who are coming off a shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings. The game will be broadcast nationally, giving Celebrini a chance to showcase his skills.
Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks is on a quest to break the NHL record for most points by a United States-born player, currently held by Mike Modano. Kane, starting his 19th NHL season, is closing in on the record and will look to make progress when the Red Wings open their season against the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena. Both teams are aiming for a strong start to the season, with the Red Wings seeking a playoff berth after a decade and the Canadiens looking to prove their playoff appearance last season was no fluke.
In addition to these key matchups, there are several other exciting games on the schedule, including the Chicago Blackhawks at Boston Bruins, New York Rangers at Buffalo Sabres, and Montreal Canadiens at Detroit Red Wings. Hockey fans have a full slate of games to enjoy on Thursday, with plenty of action and storylines to follow throughout the day.