The Vancouver Canucks will begin the 2017-18 season with two preseason games against the Los Angeles Kings. Unlike most seasons, this won’t be a home-and-home, but a Shanghai-and-Beijing. Yes, the Canucks will play preseason games in China.
As NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced on Wednesday, the Canucks will meet the Kings in preseason games on Sept. 21 at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai and on Sept. 23 at Le Sports Center in Beijing.
International games have a long history in the NHL, with the first international game dating back to April 21, 1938 — as part of a nine-game series between the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings in England and France.