The National Hockey League released its full schedule for the 2015-16 season on Thursday and opening night will feature the raising of the Chicago Blackhawks' third Stanley Cup championship banner in six years.

Four games are on the schedule for opening night, Wednesday, Oct. 7, including Chicago's home contest against the New York Rangers.

The Blackhawks will also help the New York Islanders open their new home, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, on Oct. 9. The Islanders had played in the Nassau Coliseum since their inception in 1972.

Another highlight of the season will be the league's annual showcase, the Winter Classic, on New Year's Day. This year's outdoor game will take place at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, as the Boston Bruins welcome the Canadiens. Boston will be the first team to twice host a Winter Classic, as the Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers played the 2010 Classic at Fenway Park.

Two other outdoor games are scheduled for this season. Minnesota will host Chicago at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus Sunday, Feb. 21, while the Colorado Avalanche will welcome the Detroit Red Wings to Coors Field in Denver the following Saturday.

The league will take a break from Jan. 28 - Feb. 1 for All-Star weekend in Nashville.

Once again, the NHL season will conclude with all 30 teams in action on Saturday, April 9.