NHL games today: Key dates of the NHL offseason

The Tampa Bay Lightning have won the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons. Check out the Game 5 recap below, plus key offseason dates:

Final Game Recap: Ross Colton scored a second-period goal and Andrei Vasilevskiy concluded another series with a shutout win as the Tampa Bay Lightning clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup title, beating the visiting Montreal Canadiens 1-0 on Wednesday. See Sportsnaut’s NHL recap here.

Related: Watch exclusive videos @ Sportsnaut Vids NOW – Includes amazing guests and the hottest topics

Key 2021 NHL offseason dates

NHL free agency opens Wednesday, July 28

• Players who are about to enter unrestricted free agents can re-sign with their current team to a contract of seven years or fewer, but have to wait until Tuesday, July 27, if they want an eight-year contract.
• The free-agent signing period officially begins at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 28.
• Unrestricted free agency for NCAA players officially opens on Thursday, August 15.

NHL Games Today: Tuesday, October 12

The schedule for the 2021-22 NHL season has been revealed. Check out the doubleheader that’ll start off the slate:

NHL Opening Night 2021-22	Time (ET)	TV
Penguins @ Lightning	TBD	ESPN
Kraken @ Golden Knights	TBD	ESPN

Wednesday, October 13

Game	Time (ET)	TV
Canadiens @ Maple Leafs	TBD	TBD
Rangers @ Capitals	TBD	TNT
Blackhawks @ Avalanche	TBD	TNT
Canucks @ Oilers	TBD	TBD

Related: NHL trade rumors – Latest buzz for 2021 free agency

Thursday, October 14

Game	Time (ET)	TV
Canadiens @ Sabres	TBD	TBD
Maple Leafs @ Senators	TBD	TBD
Lightning @ Red Wings	TBD	TBD
Penguins @ Panthers	TBD	TBD
Stars @ Rangers	TBD	TBD
Islanders @ Hurricanes	TBD	TBD
Coyotes @ Blue Jackets	TBD	TBD
Kraken @ Predators	TBD	TBD
Jets @ Ducks	TBD	TBD
Golden Knights @ Kings	TBD	TBD

Related: Most Expensive Rookie Cards Ever: Includes NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL

Friday, October 15

Game	Time (ET)	TV
Blackhawks @ Devils	TBD	TBD
Canucks @ Flyers	TBD	TBD
Wild @ Ducks	TBD	TBD

Saturday, October 16

Game	Time (ET)	TV
Stars @ Bruins	TBD	TBD
Coyotes @ Sabres	TBD	TBD
Senators @ Maple Leafs	TBD	TBD
Rangers @ Canadiens	TBD	TBD
Canucks @ Red Wings	TBD	TBD
Islanders @ Panthers	TBD	TBD
Blackhawks @ Penguins	TBD	TBD
Lightning @ Capitals	TBD	TBD
Kraken @ Blue Jackets	TBD	TBD
Hurricanes @ Predators	TBD	TBD
Blues @ Avalanche	TBD	TBD
Flames @ Oilers	TBD	TBD
Wild @ Kings	TBD	TBD
Jets @ Sharks	TBD	TBD

Sunday, October 17

Game	Time (ET)	TV
Stars @ Senators	TBD	TBD

Monday, October 18

Game	Time (ET)	TV
Rangers @ Maple Leafs	TBD	TBD
Kraken @ Flyers	TBD	TBD
Ducks @ Flames	TBD	TBD
Blues @ Coyotes

Tuesday, October 19

Game	Time (ET)	TV
Canucks @ Sabres	TBD	TBD
Maple Leafs @ Senators	TBD	TBD
Sharks @ Canadiens	TBD	TBD
Blue Jackets @ Red Wings	TBD	TBD
Panthers @ Lightning	TBD	TBD
Kraken @ Devils	TBD	TBD
Stars @ Penguins	TBD	TBD
Avalanche @ Capitals	TBD	TBD
Islanders @ Blackhawks	TBD	TBD
Kings @ Predators	TBD	TBD
Jets @ Wild	TBD	TBD
Ducks @ Oilers	TBD	TBD

Wednesday, October 20

Game	Time (ET)	TV
Bruins @ Flyers	TBD	TNT
Blues @ Golden Knights	TBD	TNT

NHL Daily Fantasy Picks (October 12)

• Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning
• Jordan Eberle, RW, Seattle Kraken
• Max Pacioretty, LW, Vegas Golden Knights

The Best NHL Bets Today (October 12)

• Seattle Kraken (+195) vs. Vegas Golden Knights
• Seattle Kraken vs. Vegas Golden Knights (5.5) goals – OVER
• Tampa Bay Lightning (-1.5 puck line) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

More key NHL dates for 2021-22 season

• January 1, 2022: The NHL Winter Classic at Target Field between the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues (TNT).

• NHL All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas
  • February 4: NHL All-Star skills competition (ESPN)
  • February 5: NHL All-Star Game (ABC)