Special to the OBSERVER

BUFFALO — The Buffalo Sabres and the NHL announced the league’s 2017-18 regular-season schedule on Thursday.

The Sabres open their season at home on Thursday, Oct. 5 against the Montreal Canadiens. The longest home stand of the season will take place in March, when the Sabres will play six consecutive home games in a two-week span.

Buffalo’s Western Conference road trip in October will include the team’s first-ever game against the expansion Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, Oct. 17. The Golden Knights will visit Buffalo for the first time on Saturday, March 10.

The 2017-18 schedule is highlighted by the Sabres’ matchup with the New York Rangers in the 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® at Citi Field in New York on Jan. 1, 2018. The game will mark the 10-year anniversary of the league’s inaugural Winter Classic in Buffalo in 2008.

The Sabres will play seven afternoon games at home this season, including five of the team’s seven Saturday home games:

Monday, Oct. 9 vs. New Jersey, 3 p.m. (Columbus Day), Saturday, Oct. 28 vs. San Jose, 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20 vs. Dallas, 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17 vs. Los Angeles, 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 19 vs. Washington, 3 p.m. (Presidents’ Day), Saturday, March 10 vs. Vegas, 1 p.m., Saturday, March 17 vs. Chicago, 1 p.m.