Holy christ did hockey sneak up out of nowhere. One week from tomorrow the defending champion Blackhawks will be raising the banner. Thanks to the break for the Olympics, Feb. 9-25, things get kicked off really early this year, maybe too early. But the schedule sets up nicely to get people pumped up, because there are quite a few big games early on. You’d be a fool to sit on hockey and dive in later.

Canadiens vs Maple Leafs

Tuesday, October 1, 7:00pm

The first game to have a puck drop will be this one. But the fun starts about four hours before this puck drops. “The Molson Canadian Face Off”, a four hour festival at “Place de Festivals”, real creative Montreal, headlined by the Kings of Leon, yippee. However, lots of drunk Canadians could make for some fun television but of the course…

Blackhawks vs Capitals

Tuesday, October 1, 8:00pm

The game we will all be watching. Sort of a strange matchup, given they are in opposite conferences, regardless there are plenty of reasons to tune into this one. Lot’s of talent on the ice.

Bruins vs Red Wings

Saturday, October 5, 7:00pm

The Bruins and Red Wings will waste no time renewing this original six rivalry one week from Saturday night. The realignment excites me personally for this very reason. I’m a bit of a wings fan and you could say that I’m in love with Pavel Datsyuk. The guy is just a magician and now I get to watch him more often. Of course that’s most my own selfish reasoning but you can’t tell me you aren’t excited for this rivalry to kick off. Soon enough only Blackhawks fans will miss the Blackhawks/Red Wings rivalry.

Canucks vs Devils

Tuesday, October 8, 10:00pm

Young netminder Cory Schneider will get a little taste of revenge when the Devils host the Canucks. Hopefully the Devils will win 6-0 and get the Canucks fan base fired up at Luongo once again.

Penguins vs Bruins

Wednesday, October 30, 8:00pm

This has to be the most anticipated indoor regular season event heading into the season. There is bad blood between these two team, even though Matt Cooke ran off to Minnesota. Then there is the weird ex girlfriend stuff with Iginla, and possibly a preview of this year's Eastern Conference Finals as well. We should know if Pittsburgh has what it takes to win when it counts by watching this game closely.

Bruins vs Stars

Tuesday, November 5, 7:00pm

Tyler Seguin returns to the team that gave up on him and traded him early in his young career. He could make them pay, but you can guarantee guys like Lucic are going to take a run at him.

Lightning vs Flyers

Wednesday, November 27, 7:30pm

In 1998 Vincent LeCavalier was selected number 1 overall in the 1998 draft. Now he is a Flyer and will return to Tampa Bay and it’s rowdy fan. I wouldn’t mind seeing him score a couple in this one, just to express his frustrations of how they never put a goalie behind him.

Rangers vs Canucks

Saturday, November 30, 2:00pm

In this year’s edition of wife swap, John Tortorella went from head coach of the Rangers to the Canucks and Alain Vigneault went from the Canucks to the Rangers. Also, April 1st they will play in Vancouver, so they both get a nice boo filled homecoming.

Senators vs Red Wings

Sunday, December 1, 5:30pm

After 17 seasons with the Senators, Daniel Alfredsson has left for Detroit. This will be his return to a probably upset but grateful Ottawa fan base.

Flames vs Bruins

Tuesday, December 10, 9:30pm

Lost in the ex girlfriend Iginla stuff with Pittsburgh and Boston, is that this will be the return Iginla himself cares about the most.

The Winter Classic

Red Wings vs Maple Leafs

Wednesday, January 1, 1:00pm

Held in Michigan Stadium or the Big House, this year will create one of the best spectacles of the sports year.

Blackhawks vs Bruins

Sunday, January 19, 3:00pm

The Bruins are going to show up to this one with a chip on their shoulder. They are going to throw their weight around, and it might not be enough to win yet again.

Kings vs Ducks

Saturday, January 25, 9:30pm

One of six outdoor games that will be played this year. This version will be held at Dodger Stadium in LA. If they can pull off a hockey game outdoors in LA, then anywhere can host one of these things.

Heritage Classic

Canucks vs Senators

Sunday, March 2, 4:00pm

Another outdoor game is the Heritage Classic played by two Canadian based teams. This year it’s in BC Place. Some people may think they are pushing it with the outdoor stuff, I say more please. They are just so incredible to watch on TV, especially if it happens to start snowing out.

 

mlz

Monday, September, 23, 2013