Last week, the NHL released their schedule for the 2023-24 season. This typically means a bunch of work to me, as I try to analyse the schedule to find the best possible itineraries. The result is a list of sensible trips, as I have already shared with you about the 2022-23 season. Hope you like it (again) – last year’s one got some quite good feedback.

 

First… Some Conditions…

I did not change my way of looking for “good” trips too much, compared to last year. The only change I in fact did is that I put less emphasize on avoiding border crossings between the United States and Canada. In general, I assume that travel restrictions due to pandemic reasons are highly unlikely. Here is the list of criteria I used:

• Avoid longer travel distances, which you can typically only do by expansive plane tickets, where possible.
• Especially the Northeast region of the USA is very attractive for these kind of trips. Flights to New York City are typically significantly cheaper than to any other US destinations. For my 2022-23 trip, for example, I decided to drive from New York to Pittsburgh. I hate the trip, but it significantly saves money. Flights to West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas) are typically also rather bearable financially.
• Some trips do not even need a rental car.
• I also did not especially focus on the NHL matches in Europe. The four matches in a row in Stockholm are definitely a treat for hockey fans and worth a trip as well.

Before you head for one of the trips suggested below, I strongly recommend to have a look at hotel prices beforehand. I had to significantly reduce the duration of trips as overnights in the States (especially in metropolitan areas) have become ridiculously expansive. As in the previous year’s posting, I also add links with information on Flyctory.com which may be useful if you go for the trip or a very similar one.

 

 

Some thoughts about distances

In general, you have to say that there are only few NHL Teams, who are really close to each other. For example Nashville and St. Louis are somehow neighbor teams – but as I saw in my March 2022 Penguins trip, it is still a hell of a distance to drive from one city to the other (and, potentially, back). Greater New York is the best place of course, where you can visit three teams (NY Islanders, NY Rangers, New Jersey Devils) by just using subway systems. On top of that, Boston and Philadelphia are not that far away as well.

For me as a European, it is sometimes really hard to have a good feeling for distances between NHL Teams. Thus, table is showing the closest other NHL team by team. Distances are driving distances (based on best Google Maps Route) from arena to arena. I hope I did not make any mistake in there. Figures in red below indicate you have US/Canada border crossing in there. I feel the table also illustrates why many teams just don’t pop up as home teams in my trips below – the only option for a trip is finally a home match streak – or flying between the venues. In that way, Colorado, Dallas and Winnipeg are the most remote NHL locations.

NHL Team	Neighboring Team	Distance / mi
Anaheim Ducks	Los Angeles Kings	31
Arizona Coyotes	Vegas Golden Knights	311
Boston Bruins	New York Islanders	212
Buffalo Sabres	Toronto Maple Leafs	98
Calgary Flames	Edmonton Oilers	186
Carolina Hurricanes	Washington Capitals	276
Chicago Blackhawks	Little Cesars Arena	283
Colorado Avalanche	Vegas Golden Nights	753
Columbus Blue Jackets	Pittsburgh Penguins	188
Dallas Stars	St Louis Blues Nashville Predators	each 665
Detroit Red Wings	Toronto Maple Leafs	235
Edmonton Oilers	Calgary Flames	186
Florida Panthers	Tampa Bay Lightning	252
Los Angeles Kings	Anaheim Ducks	31
Minnesota Wild	Chicago Blackhawks	401
Montreal Canadiens	Ottawa Senators	132
Nashville Predators	St Louis Blues	309
New Jersey Devils	New York Rangers	25
New York Islanders	New York Rangers	19
New York Rangers	New York Islanders	19
Ottawa Senators	Montreal Canadians	132
Philadelphia Flyers	New Jersey Devils	89
Pittsburgh Penguins	Columbus Blue Jackets	188
San Jose Sharks	Los Angeles Kings	347
Seattle Kraken	Vancouver Canucks	142
St Louis Blues	Chicago Blackhawks	298
Tampa Bay Lightning	Florida Panthers	252
Toronto Maple Leafs	Buffalo Sabres	98
Vancouver Canucks	Seattle Kraken	142
Vegas Golden Knights	Anaheim Ducks	258
Washington Capitals	Philadelphia Flyers	132
Winnipeg Jets	Minnesota Wild	466

 

 

Some General NHL Trips suggested for the 2023-24 Season

This year, no team is having a series of home matches like the two Alberta team had at the very beginning of the 2022-23 season. Nonetheless, there are quite some interesting possible trips for the next season, which I present in chronological order (by the face-off of the first game in it) in here. Below, there is also a dedicated section for potential trips to my favorite Pittsburgh Penguins. All times are East Coast Time. In line with the typical Flyctory.com formatting, I use the date format DD.MM.YYYY und time HH:MM.

 

East Canada in October

In the 2023 season, there are a lot of opportunities to visit the Eastern Canadian teams, not too rarely also combined with a visit in Buffalo (if you like to cross border). Right at the beginning of the season, there is this massive opportunity to see all four teams.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
14.10.2023	Montréal	Chicago	19:00
14.10.2023	Toronto	Minnesota	19:00
15.10.2023	Ottawa	Tampa Bay	19:00
16.10.2023	Toronto	Chicago	19:00
17.10.2023	Buffalo	Tampa Bay	19:00
17.10.2023	Montréal	Minnesota	19:00
18.10.2023	Ottawa	Washington	19:00
19.10.2023	Buffalo	Calgary	19:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Ottawa
• Toronto

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• Scotiabank Arena

 

West Coast in October and Novemeber

With the roll-out of the Kraken, having an ice hockey trip to Vancouver and Seattle is a really nice option. I especially liked this one, as it is within a week, Friday to Saturday and features four different away teams, so that you have six NHL teams and just one border crossing on this West Coast trip.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
27.10.2023	Vancouver	St. Louis	22:00
28.10.2023	Vancouver	NY Rangers	22:00
31.10.2023	Vancouver	Nashville	22:00
02.11.2023	Seattle	Nashville	22:00
04.11.2023	Seattle	Calgary	22:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• none

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• none

 

Around Niagara Falls

This one is on a weekend, Thursday to Saturday, which might lead to an attractive trip. For Saturday, there are two options, but the more striking one is, of course, closing at Scotiabank Arena.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
02.11.2023	Ottawa	Los Angeles	19:00
03.11.2023	Buffalo	Philadelphia	19:00
04.11.2023	Ottawa	Tampa Bay	19:00
04.11.2023	Toronto	Buffalo	19:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Ottawa
• Toronto

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• Scotiabank Arena

 

 

West Coast Welcomes Pennsylvania

This is in fact a nice one – and it starts with two Penguins away matches on Tuesday and Thursday. You can make use of the rather short distances between Honda Center and Staples Center and enjoy some time in Greater New York in between. Disney on 8th November, maybe?

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
07.11.2023	Anaheim	Pittsburgh	22:00
09.11.2023	Los Angeles	Pittsburgh	22:30
10.11.2023	Anaheim	Philadelphia	22:00
11.11.2023	Los Angeles	Philadelphia	22:30
12.11.2023	Anaheim	San Jose	20:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Greater Los Angeles

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• Honda Center Anaheim
• Staples Center Los Angeles

 

The Greater New York Triple

That’s a weekend I would be really tempted to do if there weren’t other duties for me (including Jim Kimo West’s guitar shows in Germany). All three Greater New York teams, Friday to Sunday. Great one if you are a Capitals fan as well.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
10.11.2023	New Jersey	Washington	19:00
11.11.2023	NY Islanders	Washington	19:30
12.11.2023	NY Rangers	Columbus	19:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• New York City

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• UBS Arena (New York Islanders)

 

Canada and Buffalo in December

As I said, there are many options to combine Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Buffalo this year. Here is another one with multiple options.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
02.12.2023	Montréal	Detroit	19:00
02.12.2023	Ottawa	Seattle	19:00
02.12.2023	Toronto	Boston	19:00
03.12.2023	Buffalo	Nashville	19:00
04.12.2023	Montréal	Seattle	19:30
05.12.2023	Buffalo	Detroit	19:00
05.12.2023	Ottawa	NY Rangers	19:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Ottawa
• Toronto

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• Scotiabank Arena

 

California Threesome at the end of 2023

That’s especially a nice trip if you are an Oilers fan… And New Year’s Eve in Greater New York is maybe not too bad as well…

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
28.12.2023	San Jose	Edmonton	22:30
30.12.2023	Los Angeles	Edmonton	22:00
31.12.2023	Anaheim	Edmonton	20:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Greater Los Angeles
• San Francisco Bay

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• Honda Center Anaheim
• SAP Center San Jose
• Staples Center Los Angeles

 

Another one… in January

See above… If you like these teams, the 2023-24 season really gives you a lot of options…

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
13.01.2024	Buffalo	Vancouver	16:00
13.01.2024	Ottawa	San Jose	16:00
13.01.2024	Montréal	Edmonton	19:00
13.01.2024	Toronto	Colorado	19:00
14.01.2024	Toronto	Detroit	19:00
15.01.2024	Buffalo	San Jose	13:00
15.01.2024	Montréal	Colorado	19:00
16.01.2024	Ottawa	Colorado	19:00
17.01.2024	Buffalo	Chicago	19:30
18.01.2024	Ottawa	Montréal	19:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Ottawa
• Toronto

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• Scotiabank Arena

 

 

Ottawa Triple Header

If you don’t like to travel too much between the Candian team, thich one is nice, because you can spend two or three matches at the end of the trip in Ottawa. There is also a nice range of away teams.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
24.01.2024	Toronto	Winnipeg	19:00
25.01.2024	Montréal	NY Islanders	19:00
25.01.2024	Ottawa	Boston	19:00
27.01.2024	Ottawa	NY Rangers	19:00
29.01.2024	Ottawa	Nashville	19:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Ottawa
• Toronto

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• Scotiabank Arena

 

West Coast Ice Hockey Overkill

A typical issue with Los Angeles and Anaheim ice hockey trips is that for many away teams, the travel distance is so long that they typically play both matches right after the other. That’s a bit of a shame, as you could have quite a lot of interesting sports within eight days.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
03.03.2024	Los Angeles	New Jersey	15:30
03.03.2024	Anaheim	Vancouver	20:00
05.03.2024	Los Angeles	Vancouver	22:30
06.03.2024	Anaheim	Ottawa	22:00
07.03.2024	Los Angeles	Ottawa	22:30
08.03.2024	Anaheim	Dallas	22:00
09.03.2024	Los Angeles	Dallas	22:30
10.03.2024	Anaheim	NY Islanders	20:00
11.03.2024	Los Angeles	NY Islanders	22:30

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Greater Los Angeles

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• Honda Center Anaheim
• Staples Center Los Angeles

 

It’s Leon and Connor Time at East Coast

Vice versa, many West Coast teams do, of course, block travels in the East. If you are German like me (or even from his home town Cologne), this one feels to be the ultimate Leon Draisaitl trip on the East Coast. And, of course, you can do it as a Connor McDavid fan, too.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
05.03.2024	Boston	Edmonton	19:00
07.03.2024	Columbus	Edmonton	19:00
09.03.2024	Buffalo	Edmonton	12:30
10.03.2024	Pittsburgh	Edmonton	13:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Boston
• Pittsburgh

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh
• TD Garden Boston

 

One Day, Two Matches

Just two matches? The interesting thing about this setup is that you can easily do both of them within one day. And: it is a Saturday, which makes it rather convenient to travel from abroad. Might be a good day to stay around New York.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
09.03.2024	New Jersey	Carolina	12:30
09.03.2024	NY Rangers	St. Louis	19:30

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• New York City

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• none

 

 

Some Pittsburgh Penguins Trips suggested for the 2023-24 Season

The key reason why it is rather easy for me to write this post is because I have to analyse the schedule finding good spots for potential Pittsburgh Penguins trips. Here are my thoughts for next season.

 

Happy New Year, Steel City!

This one is actually a cool one. Why spending time at Times Square when you could also do Steel City? Happy New Year with three interesting opponents. If you are not a die-hard Pens fan, you can also have a look to Columbus.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
30.12.2023	Pittsburgh	St. Louis	19:00
31.12.2023	Pittsburgh	NY Islanders	18:00
02.01.2024	Columbus	Boston	19:00
02.01.2024	Pittsburgh	Washington	19:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Pittsburgh

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh

 

 

Two Special Matches at the West Coast

I would love to make this one – this is why I listed it. The key match of this trip is visiting the small arena in Phoenix on this Monday match. Unfortunately, too much effort for me.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
20.01.2024	Vegas	Pittsburgh	22:00
22.01.2024	Arizona	Pittsburgh	21:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Las Vegas

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas

 

The Pens Travel Along The Coast

Especially as it is around Easter and thus includes some public holidays (in Germany), this is the trip I’d like to go for. Still some organisational stuff to solve, though. I am also not sure if I will start in Columbus or in New York.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
28.03.2024	Pittsburgh	Columbus	19:00
30.03.2024	Columbus	Pittsburgh	19:00
01.04.2024	NY Rangers	Pittsburgh	19:00
02.04.2024	New Jersey	Pittsburgh	19:00
03.04.2024	NY Rangers	New Jersey	19:30
04.04.2024	Washington	Pittsburgh	19:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• New York City
• Pittsburgh
• Washington D.C.

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh

 

Iceburgh Triple at the End of Regular Season

At the end of the season, there is a triple home match – and it is also roughly at a weekend. Quite interesting matches as well, I would especially love to see Moritz Seider with the Red Wings.

Date	Home	Away	Time ET
11.04.2024	Pittsburgh	Detroit	19:00
13.04.2024	Pittsburgh	Boston	20:00
15.04.2024	Pittsburgh	Nashville	19:00

Cities / Regions featured on Flyctory.com

• Pittsburgh

Venues reviewed on Flyctory.com

• PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh

 

Design of the Home Opener Banner logos in there copyrighted by the NHL.

 

Flyctory.com about the Pittsburgh Penguins

Here are all postings related to the Pittsburgh Penguins:

 

Sports Blogging on Flyctory.com

Here are all Sports Blogging entries (no match reports or similar) on Flyctory.com: