The 2021-2022 NHL schedule has been released

The 2021-2022 NHL schedule, unlike every pick (but Detroit) in yesterday’s expansion draft, was not leaked early. ESPN was able to broadcast its release on tonight’s 5:00 edition of SportsCenter after discussing other hot button issues such as the current covid case count in Tokyo and the NFL’s new vaccination and covid policies and... eventually, sports.

The highlight of this year’s NHL schedule is that everyone is back to their normal division save for the Arizona Coyotes. They’re shifting from the Pacific to the Central to accommodate the Seattle Kraken’s arrival to the Pacific.

The NHL’s full available schedule is available here; the Blues’ schedule is available here.

Notable dates include:

• Opening Night: October 16th vs. the Colorado Avalanche
• Home Opener: October 23rd vs. the Los Angeles Kings
• Home Rivalry games against the Chicago Blackhawks: October 30th and January 30th
• Pat Maroon Homecoming: November 30th
• 2022 Winter Classic at Target Field: January 1st
• First meeting against the Seattle Kraken: January 13th
• All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas: February 4th-5th
• Olympic Break (maybe): February 7th-22nd
• Season Finale: April 29th vs. the Vegas Golden Knights

It’s important to remember that the Olympic Break that’s in there is tentative, but things may be looking up for participation in the 2022 games in Beijing. If participation falls through, the NHL will then release a revised schedule at that point.