The Chicago Blackhawks begin their season overseas for the first time since 2009-10 on Friday afternoon when they face off against the Philadelphia Flyers in Prague, Czech Republic, as part of the 2019 NHL Global Series. The Blackhawks played a two-game set versus Florida in Helsinki, Finland, a decade ago to begin a season that culminated in their first Stanley Cup in 49 years following a six-game victory over the Flyers.

The New Jersey Devils look to begin putting a disappointing 2018-19 season behind them as they unveil a more exciting, much healthier team to open the campaign Friday night against the visiting Winnipeg Jets. The Devils followed up a playoff berth in 2017-18 by finishing 15th out of 16 teams in the Eastern Conference and last in scoring after losing reigning Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall with a season-ending injury before Christmas.

The New York Islanders finished one point behind the Washington Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division last season and that was enough for team management to decide to stand pat in the offseason. Although the Islanders were swept by Carolina in the Eastern Conference semifinals, they will feature basically the same roster in Friday's season opener versus visiting Washington.

The Columbus Blue Jackets went all in last season, not only holding onto a pair of marquee free agents-to-be but making a string of trades to beef up for a postseason run. Columbus KO'd top-seeded Tampa Bay before falling to Boston in the second round of the playoffs and now must pick up the pieces when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs in Friday's season opener.

The San Jose Sharks were inundated with constant questions about the availability of Erik Karlsson throughout his injury-riddled first season with the team in 2018-19. An undisclosed personal matter is now on the plate of the two-time Norris Trophy recipient, clouding his availability for Friday's finale of the home-and-home series versus the visiting Vegas Golden Knights.