We begin our matchup previews in the Atlantic Division with a look at another Original Six team.
By now, everyone knows the countdown is on to October 8, when the Utah Hockey Club will face the Chicago Blackhawks in what is sure to be an unforgettable night at Delta Center.
But most fans in the NHL also know they have one of the greatest rivalries in the league with the Detroit Red Wings.
Even though the new alignment reduced the frequency of the games between the Hawks and Wings to just twice a season, it still remains one of the most intense, most closely-watched tilts during the year.
What makes the matchup so intriguing with Utah is the depth and the emerging cores that are within them.
Utah's core sandwiched around Clayton Keller will get to face a reloaded core built around star forward Dylan Larkin, which also includes former Stanley Cup winners J.T. Compher (Colorado) and Patrick Kane (Chicago).
The coaching matchup also is intriguing, as Derek Lalonde of the Wings and Andre Tourigny of Utah are both entering pivotal years in their rebuilds.
While the pressure is certainly not on both to perform, it will feel like a playoff game since these matchups against Eastern Conference teams may determine where a team goes during the season.
And with that inter-conference matchup, you get two different playing styles -- one grinds you down, the other speeds you up.
It'll be a big test for Utah to see how they fare against a speedy young team, and Detroit certainly can bring that Motor City quickness to the table.