NHL 2024-25 Season Kicks Off with ESPN’s Opening Night Tripleheader

The National Hockey League (NHL) 2024-25 season is set to commence with much anticipation on Tuesday, featuring a highly awaited opening night tripleheader exclusively aired on ESPN and ESPN+. This kickoff event will mark the start of another competitive year in professional ice hockey.

The season opener will showcase several high-profile matchups. The St. Louis Blues, alongside newly-signed forward , will head to the Climate Pledge Arena to challenge the Seattle Kraken. The Kraken, with standout center who recently secured a seven-year contract extension, will also see new acquisition in action. This game will be available at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+.

Continuing the night’s excitement, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins, will host the Florida Panthers at 7 p.m. This encounter serves as a playoff rematch, with the Bruins determined to overcome the team that eliminated them in previous postseasons. The Panthers will also raise their first championship banner at the Amerant Bank Arena during a pre-game ceremony.

Concluding the evening, the newly-rebranded Herosiv Utah Hockey Club will make its debut in front of their fans at the Delta Center. This matchup features a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, with and defenseman leading the action at 10 p.m.

Analyst Ray Ferraro will cover two games during the opening night: he will start with the Blues vs. Kraken matchup and then proceed to the Utah Hockey Club’s debut game against the Blackhawks.

ESPN’s NHL studio show, The Point, also returns on Tuesday, starting at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+, offering comprehensive coverage and analysis of the season ahead. The show is hosted by Steve Levy, with analysts Mark Messier and P.K. Subban providing insights. Interviews will include prominent figures such as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

Furthermore, the first exclusive ESPN+/Hulu games will occur on Thursday, October 10. Fans can watch former Lightning captain and the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy recipient debut with the Nashville Predators at 8 p.m. ET, as they confront the Dallas Stars led by .

The night continues with the highly anticipated debut of the 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick, , with the San Jose Sharks hosting the St. Louis Blues, featuring new defenseman Philip Broberg, at the SAP Center at 10:30 p.m. ET.