The NHL schedule leaves people grumbling and complaining every year about some aspects, but there is one part of it that the NHL does incredibly well.
Everyone plays everyone at least once, at home and away. So, the Predators get a chance to play in across the league's teams twice, and you get a chance to see them live and in person at home.
Now, in most years, this is a nice little perk, but going into the 2026-2027 NHL season it could be incredibly important if you want to see some living legends of the game one more time before they decide to hang up the skates and call it a career.
We're looking at what could be the very last season of NHL hockey for the Washington Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin, as well as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ovechkin, the all-time NHL leader in goals, will turn 41 this season. Crosby, who currently sits 7th all-time in points, will be 39, and Malkin, who will be 40, is 23rd all-time.
Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals will be in town on October 29th, 2026. Ovechkin currently has 929 career NHL goals. If he decides to chase the 1000 mark, he'll have to play two more years, but part of that decision will be made this season. Predators fans could see him begin his season on a hot streak, or still trying to find his form.
Through his NHL career, Ovechkin has scored 20 goals against the Predators. He's scored against them every year without fault since the 2018-2019 season as well. You're at about a 50/50 shot to see the great get at least one more goal.
Ovechkin is also only 151 hits away from the all-time hits record, currently held by Cal Clutterbuck with 4029. Ovechkin's 3878 currently rank 3rd all time.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have been a dominant duo for almost two decades. Between them, they have 3 Art Ross Trophies (most points), 3 Hart Trophies (league MVP), 3 Conn Smythe Trophies (playoff MVP), and 4 Ted Lindsey Awards (MVP of the players), and both have been named to the NHL's top 100 players of all time list.
Pittsburgh comes to town on November 21st for a Saturday 5 pm game. With the careers of Crosby and Malkin winding down, one of the greatest 1-2 punches in NHL history. The duo helped save hockey in Pittsburgh, but prevented the Predators from their only opportunity at a Stanley Cup so far. Fans have one last chance to pay respect, and boo their favorite villians.
Plenty of other aging vets will be coming town in the form of players like Corey Perry, Kris Letang, Brad Marchand, and Brent Burns, to name a few. As the changing of the guard is actively happening this season will be a chance to see what should be a very good Predators team play against some possible Hall of Fame players one last time. Add those to the list of must-attend games this year.
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