The Golden Knights will be part of an opening-night tripleheader broadcast on ESPN in the U.S., when they open the season against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sept. 29.

The start date is the earliest Vegas will have started since joining the league in 2017. The Knights have never opened their season earlier than Oct. 2.

Last season, they opened the regular season on Oct. 8, with a shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

The early start date means less time to prepare under first-year coach Ryan Craig, especially after losing in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final.

The last game of the Cup final was on June 14, which means the Knights will have had 107 days off in between. Perspective: the Blackhawks' season ended on April 15, which means they'll have had 167 days off in between.

"I think, like in previous years, when you lose in the finals; you get all the way, it sucks, for sure," veteran defenseman Shea Theodore said. "It's gonna be a quick summer, it's gonna be a quick turnaround, and we need to get our rest, we need to get guys healthy and ready to go."

Entering its milestone 10th season in the NHL, the Golden Knights are 7-1-1 in regular-season openers. They also boast a 5-1-1 mark when opening the regular season at home.

The Knights are 17-3-4 all-time against the Blackhawks, including a 10-2-1 mark when hosting them in Vegas.

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight (30) makes a save against Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) during the second period at T-Mobile Arena.