when does the regular season of nhl start
2018–19 NHL season The 2018â€“19 NHL season is the 102nd season of operation (101st season of play) of the National Hockey League. 31 teams are competing in an 82-game regular season. The regular season began on October 3, 2018, and will end on April 6, 2019. The 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs will begin a few days afterwards, with the Stanley Cup Finals held in late May to early June.