For the first time in NHL history, regular season games are played outside North America as the Vancouver Canucks, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim open the season with a pair of games in Tokyo, Japan. The games are a part of the league’s efforts to promote the upcoming Olympics in Nagano. The Canucks led by their new captain Mark Messier would win the first game 3-2. Anaheim would rebound to win the following night 3-2, splitting the two games.