For the Bruins, the season will start Oct. 8 with a date against goal-scoring king Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in Washington at 7:30. Boston will open its home slate the next night against fellow Original Six franchise Chicago at 7 p.m. It’s the first of 13 sets of back-to-back games on the schedule.

Creativity abounded as squads looked to show off their upcoming calendar in distinctive ways. The Boston Bruins enlisted comedian Bill Burr to help unveil their schedule. The Pittsburgh Penguins went with a hospital theme. Dogs were brought in to help out the Toronto Maple Leafs with their reveal.

Homecomings for Marner, Marchand and Toews. Rematches of the back-to-back Stanley Cup finalists. Check out next season's biggest games.