2013 NHL
Schedule
Well that's the game we really missed out on. That and a couple
months worth a sweet saves sick goals and massive hits. We may have
missed out on an epic Winter Classic but there's still so many
games worth mentioning. Like for instance how for the first time
ever regular season NHL games will be hosted on a network station
(NBC) on back to back days. Or how eight teams will start the
season off with a back to back. There's plenty more fun to be had,
let's get to it.
First I just wanted to mention some of the stuff you may have
already read. Every team will play a 48 game schedule comprised of
only in conference teams. 18 of those games will be played within
the division, four of them (two home and two away) against two
teams, five games (three home and two away) vs one of the others
and five games (two home and three away) vs the remaining
divisional foe. Also, each team will play three games vs the
remaining ten teams (vs five of the teams it will be two home and
three away, while the other five will be three home and two away).
The trade deadline will be April 3rd, while the playoffs will begin
April 30th. The nine game underage limit will be downsized to six,
the draft lottery will be held April 29th (where every non playoff
team will have a shot at #1 this year), and free agency will begin
July 5th.
January 19
Kings vs Blackhawks 3pm NBC
Flyers vs Penguins 3pm NBC
Bruins vs Rangers 7pm NHLN
These are the best of the opening day slate which
is rather loaded. We are all excited to get this season underway
and this is a nice way to start. The two early games apparently
will be a split across the country. Which, only the NHL would only
show half the country the championship banner being raised in LA.
But it will start off a nice TV slate this year consisting of; 15
games on NBC and 26 games on NBCSN. Still not where it should be
but in 99 days that's not awful.
February 6
Canadiens vs Bruins 7pm NBCSN
The first meeting between the best rivalry in the
game.
March 31
Red Wings vs Blackhawks 12:30pm NBC
Nice little Sunday 12:30 game between two potential
contenders this year. Chicago, still needs to figure out its
situation between the pipes, while Detroit needs to learn how to
play in the post-Lidstrom era. These teams still boast some of the
best/most fun offensive styles and players. Between Hossa playing
alongside Toewes Sharp and others against his old team, consisting
of Pavel Datsyuk, Zetterberg and others making up one of the more
beautiful power plays. This could be a really big game as far as
playoff implications even though it's a bit early. At the very
least it could be a preview.
April 3
Rangers vs Penguins 7:30pm NBCSN
The final month kicks off the big games
early.
April 5
Penguins vs Rangers 7pm NHLN
And often. These two games could be huge in
deciding the top seed in the East. At the very least they will play
a major part in deciding the Atlantic Division.
April 7
Red Wings vs Blues 12:30pm NBC
Another divisional battle. The Blues won the crown
last year and will need to get through this Detroit team to do it
again. They have some young talent and some speed, but I'm not sure
they're quite consistent enough to repeat.
Capitals vs Lightning 7pm
A reoccurring theme already, big time divisional
games late in the season. I expect the Lightning to have a better
year this year, despite not really having fixed their goaltending
problems. They're one of a few teams that would be scary as all
hell to the rest of the league if they could find a goalie. As far
as the Capitals, I think they win this division this year. With the
crammed schedule it's going to be tough for teams to contain
Ovechkin, and with that new beat em up defense first style, backed
by ready to break out goalie Braden Holtby, they could win a lot of
games.
April 9
Predators vs Blues 8pm
The top two teams in their division last year and
will be vying for the top spot again.
April 12
Blackhawks vs Red Wings 8:30pm
Rematch of that February game. These games just
seem to be some of the most fun to watch year after year.
April 14
Predators vs Red Wings 7:30pm NBCSN
I know I've mentioned the Red Wings too many times,
but they seem to have a lot of big games this year. Especially when
they're crammed together like playing two games in three days vs
the Blackhawks and Predators. They need this one more at this point
in the year, divisional games are going to be enormous this
year.
April 16
Flyers vs Rangers 7:30pm NBCSN
I definitely haven't mentioned the Flyers enough
yet. Possibly the best uniforms in all of sports, as much as I hate
to compliment them. They have a fun team to watch. If I'm a Flyers
fan I am definitely psyched this year. They still haven't solved
the goalie situation probably due to lack of a real offseason (this
goes for all teams with goalie problems). Teams like Philly, Tampa
Bay etc. should really benefit this year from the crammed schedule
that will most likely lead to sloppy play. Sloppy play means goals
scored, which is good for the teams who rely solely on that. That
makes the Flyers just as much alive in the East as anyone. This
might be the best division in sports. Last year the 4th best team
in the division went to the Stanley Cup Finals. With just a few
days remaining in the season this game is huge.
Kings vs Sharks 10:30pm
The Kings are probably going to struggle to start
the year without Anze Kopitar, and with Jonathan Quick coming off
an injury. But at this point they should be gaining some steam.
This is a big test for them. The Sharks are perennially underrated
for some reason. Joe Thornton still gets no respect despite making
big plays all the time. The Sharks take after the Red Wings and
have the talent to do it. They're fun to watch and dangerous.
April 18
Devils vs Flyers 7:30 NBCSN
The Flyers play a brutal schedule to close out the
year, so these last divisional games will be enormous for them.
They might run themselves out of steam come the playoffs with this
schedule. Or they could prove themselves to be a legit Cup
contender.
April 21
Rangers vs Devils TBA NBC
First of two games in six days for these two
divisional rivals.
April 23
Flyers vs Bruins 7:30 NBCSN
These two teams to not like each other. Given their
recent success they should both be competing for a playoff spot at
this point in the year. This game should go a long way in deciding
who finishes where in the final standings.
April 24
Coyotes vs Sharks 10pm
Phoenix somehow overcame bankruptcy to win the
division, but I have high hopes for the Sharks this year. I think
their system will really benefit them, like it will Detroit, in the
shortened season. This could decide who gets a top seed.
April 25
Devils vs Penguins 7:30 NBCSN
Red Wings vs Predators 7:30
Two games that could decide divisions. The
Predators have probably the easiest final month in hockey as far as
strength of schedule. But if the Red Wings benefit from the crammed
schedule, like I think they will, this game will decide the
division and give us another fun game to watch as we did during
last years great playoff series.
April 27
Kings vs Sharks 10:30 NBC
Rangers vs Devils TBA NBC
This is it. The final day. These two games should
be very meaningful. With the playoffs just two days away it's going
to be hard to make the transition, unless you need this to survive
like one of these teams might.
PS. AP3 and I will release are picks for the year later in the week
so stay tuned. And please tell a friend help us out click the ads,
you don't even have to buy anything just click the ad and then
click around the site a couple times.
mlz
Monday, January 14, 2013
