Welcome back, Jack

Jack Hughes, the New Jersey Devils’ top center, hasn’t played since he sustained a shoulder injury March 2. He not only missed the rest of the regular season, but the Eastern Conference First Round against the Carolina Hurricanes. He gets his chance with the Devils opening the season against the Hurricanes at Lenovo Center (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+). It is also the Carolina debut for forward Nikolaj Ehlers and defenseman K’Andre Miller.

Holy Macklin

Macklin Celebrini had a big rookie season for the San Jose Sharks, leading them with 63 points (25 goals, 38 assists) in 70 games, but the team still struggled in the standings, finishing last in the League with 52 points. Now, the Sharks and Celebrini look to take a step forward, but it won’t be easy against Mitch Marner and the new-look Vegas Golden Knights, who lost 6-5 in a shootout to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. Marner had two assists in his Vegas debut. With a national TV audience watching (10 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SN360), Celebrini gets a chance to show the country how good he and the Sharks can be.

Kane restarts record chase

Patrick Kane is pursuing the NHL record for most points by a United States-born player held by Mike Modano (1,374). The 36-year-old, who is starting his 19th NHL season, has 1,343 points and can move closer to the record when the Detroit Red Wings open their season against the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, TSN2, RDS). As important as the personal chase is for Kane, a fast start is tantamount to each team. The Red Wings are looking to find the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in a decade and the Canadiens, who got in last season with a strong final push, want to prove their first playoff appearance since 2021 wasn’t a fluke. They opened with a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

The schedule

Chicago Blackhawks at Boston Bruins (7 p.m. ET; CHSN, NESN, SNP, SNW)

New York Rangers at Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET; MSG-B, MSG)

Montreal Canadiens at Detroit Red Wings (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, TSN2, RDS)

Ottawa Senators at Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m. ET; The Spot, TSN5, RDSI)

Philadelphia Flyers at Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, NBCSP)

New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, MSGSN, TVAS)

New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+)

Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues (8 p.m. ET; FDSNWIX, FDSNNO, FDSNMW)

Columbus Blue Jackets at Nashville Predators (8 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, FDSNSO)

Dallas Stars at Winnipeg Jets (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, Victory+)

Utah Mammoth at Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET; Utah16, ALT)

Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks (10 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNW, SNP)

Vegas Golden Knights at San Jose Sharks (10 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SN360)

Anaheim Ducks at Seattle Kraken (10 p.m. ET; KHN, Victory+, KING 5, KONG)