Avalanche fans can forget about seeing Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby in Denver this season. But how does eight games a season against Calgary and Edmonton sound?
The Avs’ 2005-06 schedule was released Wednesday, and fans will see only one-third of the Eastern Conference at the Pepsi Center. In the brave new world of the NHL, teams will play within their conference more often.
The Western Conference Avs will play Eastern Conference teams from the Northeast Division at home and play the Atlantic Division teams on the road. Colorado will play each of its Northwest Division brethren eight times – up from six – and four games each against other Western teams.
The Avs open the season Oct. 5 in Edmonton, Alberta, with the home opener Oct. 10 against Calgary.
Avalanche assistant captain Rob Blake said the increased emphasis on division rivalries will prove worthwhile for the team.
“I think, travel-wise, playing eight games against division opponents is going to be better for us,” Blake said.
The Avs will see plenty of division rival Vancouver in the first two months of the season. Colorado will play the Canucks six times by Nov. 30, including back-to-back home games with the same opponent for the first time in regular-season team history, Oct. 27 and 29.
“I think another thing that was touched on is the referees are going to be reffing more division games,” Blake said. “So you’re going to see the same referees and with this new (crackdown) on obstruction, you’re going to know their tolerance levels. I think that’s a big key.”
Blake acknowledged some fans may be disappointed to see their favorite Eastern teams only once every three years in Denver.
“No Sidney Crosby, yeah, that’s tough,” Blake said of the major junior phenom who is expected to be taken by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the No. 1 draft pick. “But I think the increase in rivalries we’ll get will help offset that.”
The Avs’ longest homestand of the season will be from Oct. 25-Nov. 8 (six games), with the longest road swing five games, from March 13-25.
On Jan. 17, the Toronto Maple Leafs will play their first game in Denver since Dec. 15, 1997. Colorado’s first games against longtime rival Detroit are Nov. 23 on the road and Jan. 21 at home.
Colorado’s six-game preseason schedule kicks off Saturday, Sept. 17, at home against Dallas. The Avs will play two games each against the Stars, Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings, including a Sept. 24 game in Las Vegas against the Kings at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The annual Burgundy/White game, featuring the top 40 players in the Avs organization, will be held Sept. 16 at a venue to be determined.
Staff writer Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-820-5454 or adater@denverpost.com.
