NJ Devils' 2022-23 schedule released by NHL: Five games to keep an eye on

The NHL offseason is heating up, which means a look ahead to next season is already happening. On Wednesday, the NHL released the full schedule for the 2022-23 season for all 32 of its teams.

The Devils will open up the slate on Thursday, Oct. 13 in Philadelphia before returning to New Jersey for their home opener on Saturday, Oct. 15 against the Red Wings.

The Devils' home schedule includes 17 weekend dates: Four Friday games, nine Saturday games and four Sunday contests. There will also be eight Thursday games on the calendar.

Here are significant dates to keep in mind for the Devils throughout the season:

Home opener: October 15 vs. Detroit

The first time fans will see the Devils on the ice of Prudential Center this season comes on October 15, the same date as last season's home opener. That game saw Dougie Hamilton christen his first shift in New Jersey with a goal and Jack Hughes end the game with an overtime goal and memorable celebration. It brought great energy for the franchise to start the season before injuries and poor play came later. Will the 2022-23 bring better fortune for the future?

Hughes vs. Hughes: November 1 at Vancouver

The month of November features two Canadian road trips and 10 of the 11 games before Thanksgiving against teams from our neighbors to the north. It all begins on November 1 with a family affair between young stars for each team. Jack Hughes will face his brother Quinn for the first of two matchups this season. It will not feature the third Hughes brother as Devils prospect Luke will return to the University of Michigan in the fall.

No. 1 vs. No. 2?: November 15 at Montreal

In the city where the schedule was released, the new season will kick off officially Thursday with the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. Montreal and New Jersey have the first two picks of the draft and it remains uncertain who both teams will end up with, assuming they hold on to their picks. Could the players drafted Thursday return to the site of the draft and face off on November 15? It's possible.

Road trip prep: January 7 vs. N.Y. Rangers

The longest road trip, in terms of both miles and length, is a five-game road trip that comes in early January. Before the Devils travel to Carolina, Anaheim, Los Angeles San Jose and Seattle, there will be an afternoon matchup with the rival Rangers. That road trip seems custom made to be a defining point for the season if the Devils hope to be competitive in the standings, so the Rangers have a chance to really sour things for the Devils before an important trip.

New rivalry renewed: February 9 vs. Seattle

It'll be the second season for the Devils to face the Kraken, but don't think that Devils fans have forgotten. It was the expansion Kraken coming to Prudential Center in early October and a damaging hit that sent Jack Hughes off the ice for 17 games with a dislocated shoulder. In just the second game in Kraken history, the newest NHL franchise developed a new rival. February 9 will be the first time the Kraken visit Prudential Center since that incident nearly 16 months earlier.

Here is the complete 82-game slate for the Devils:

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Devils schedule 2022-2023 schedule released: See all dates