Blue Jackets season is coming; get ready with a look at the top games

The 2023-24 Blue Jackets season is starting with a bang, and it only gets better from there.

If you're looking for a compelling way to kick things off, you couldn't do much better than the Blue Jackets' contest in Nationwide Arena on Oct. 12 against Philadelphia. Not only will the Blue Jackets again welcome former coach John Tortorella to the festive night, the game also figures to be the return of Cam Atkinson, the second-best goal scorer in team history and Columbus resident who missed all of last year because of a shoulder injury but expects to be back for the upcoming campaign.

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That lid-lifter kicks off a four-game homestand to start the season, and if you're considering getting tickets for the biggest nights in Nationwide Arena, it's time to look at the schedule. Not only are we less than three months from the start of the campaign, single-game tickets go on sale today for all 41 games in Nationwide Arena.

Columbus will play six home games in October, seven more in November and then eight in a home-heavy month of December. That's the most of any month, as five home games follow in January, four in February, seven in March and finally four in April as the playoff race intensifies. It all takes place over 187 days of action stretching from mid-October to mid-April.

Saturday nights will be all right as eleven home games are slated for those prime weekend dates, with six more on Fridays. Add in three Sunday home contests and 20 of the 41 games are set for weekends.

For those looking to start planning ahead to see new head coach Mike Babcock, captain Boone Jenner, standouts Johnny Gaudreau and Zach Werenski, and more, here's a look at some of the top games on the docket for this upcoming season.

Rookie Standouts

The Blue Jackets claimed University of Michigan center Adam Fantilli with the third overall pick in the 2023 draft a few weeks ago, kicking off plenty of excitement in the CBJ fan base.

Fantilli has since signed with the Blue Jackets, and the two players chosen above him could be set like Fantilli to spend much of the season in NHL colors in Connor Bedard (Chicago) and Leo Carlsson (Anaheim).

Those are sure to be games circled by NHL analysts and those with an interest in the sport. Top overall pick Bedard comes to Columbus for the only time this season when the Blackhawks visit on Nov. 22 -- the day before Thanksgiving -- while Carlsson's potential lone visit with the Ducks is slated for Oct. 24.

Notable Home Games

Bedard and the Blackhawks visiting the day before one of America's favorite holidays will make for a big night in Nationwide Arena, but there are some other contests that also should fill up the downtown building.

Champs are here:A visit from Vegas has always seemed to fill up Nationwide Arena, as the 2017-18 expansion team known for its spectacle has captured the attention of hockey fans over the past six years. That interest might reach another level this upcoming season as the Golden Knights lifted the Stanley Cup in June for the first time. Vegas makes one trip to Nationwide this upcoming season, visiting March 4 before the Jackets return the favor 19 days later.

Holiday fun:The Blackhawks game comes the day before Thanksgiving, a traditional night for reunions across the country, but there are other holidays to circle. Columbus will play a home game on a Leap Day for the first time ever as Carolina visits Nationwide on Feb. 29 this year. If you're home for Christmas, the Blue Jackets are on the ice against Toronto on Dec. 23 in a game that is sure to see tickets go fast. Get your green jerseys ready, too, as Columbus plays on St. Patrick's Day Sunday, welcoming Winnipeg to Nationwide Arena.

Theme Nights:Many of the same theme nights fans have come to love will return this season, including Hockey Fights Cancer, Hockey is for Everyone and much more. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for a full list of theme nights and promotional nights.

Season finale: Columbus plays four of its last five games on the road with a swing through Carolina, Tampa Bay, Florida and Nashville in April. But the Blue Jackets will return home for the last game of the season April 16 against the Hurricanes, and you never know if something important will be on the line. Either way, it's a good chance to say goodbye to what could be a fun regular season for the Jackets.

Metro Madness

This year's schedule includes four games against Metropolitan Division foes Carolina, New Jersey, the New York Rangers, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, plus three each against the New York Islanders (home twice) and Washington (road twice).

Here's a quick look at when those division games will take place.

Carolina:Coming off five straight playoff appearances and an early favorite for next season's Stanley Cup, Rod Brind'Amour's crew visits Nationwide on Feb. 29 and then April 16 for the season finale. Columbus is in Raleigh on Nov. 26 and April 7.

New Jersey: The Devils took a major step forward this past season, not just returning to the playoffs but winning a series. Led by Jack Hughes, one of the NHL's best young teams will visit Dec. 16 and Jan. 19, while Columbus returns the favor Nov. 25 and Dec. 27.

New York Islanders:Lou Lamiorello's veteran team is always a tough out, and the Islanders visit Nationwide for games Oct. 28 and April 4. The Blue Jackets' lone visit to Long Island is set for Dec. 7.

New York Rangers: One of hockey's biggest draws, Artemi Panarin and the Rangers are set to be in Columbus for the second game of the season Oct. 14 and return Feb. 25. The Blue Jackets will visit the World's Most Famous Arena for games Nov. 12 and Feb. 28.

Philadelphia Flyers: Torts, Cam and the Flyers will be in Nationwide Arena for the season opener, then return near the end of the year on April 6. The Blue Jackets head to Broad Street for games Nov. 19 and Jan. 4.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the rest of the black-and-gold crew will head to Nationwide Arena for games Nov. 16 and March 30. Columbus will try to grab rare wins in the Steel City with a pair of March visits on the 5th and 28th.

Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin makes only one trip to Columbus this year as he tries to chase down Wayne Gretzky's record, as the Caps come to town Dec. 21. The Jackets visit the nation's capital Nov. 4 and Nov. 18.

Hitting The Road

We just went over the home schedule, but CBJ fans are always fond of hitting the road to see the Jackets, too. Here's a few trips worth considering.