We can now officially count down to the return of hockey in Columbus.
Feels good, right?
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that this season's home opener is set for October 6 against the New York Islanders.
Columbus took an early lead in last year's home opener before losing a 6-3 battle vs. Boston. The last home opener win for the Union Blue came Oct. 11, 2014, when the Blue Jackets downed the visiting New York Rangers by a 5-2 score. Cam Atkinson scored twice including an empty netter while Artem Anisimov, Nick Foligno and Marko Dano scored while Sergei Bobrovsky had 24 saves to earn the win.
The Blue Jackets are coming off a season when more often than not they sent the home fans happy. Columbus was 28-12-1 in Nationwide Arena last season, though that mark was still third best in the division behind Stanley Cup champ Pittsburgh and Presidents' Cup winner Washington.
The home opener has become a bit of an event in Columbus, with the team staging a party on the plaza outside of Nationwide Arena and a red-carpet walk for team members before the game.
The full schedule is expected to be released this Thursday, June 22.
