The NHL released its 2007-08 schedule today and forward Chris Drury, one of the marquee free-agent off-season signings, will visit Denver on Dec. 21 when the New York Rangers travel to Pepsi Center to take on the Avalanche.
The Avalanche, which last season failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1994 when it played as the Nordiques in Quebec, will also host Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit on Nov. 1.
The Avs this season face the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division in what will be the third season of a rotating schedule cycle.
Other highlights of the Avs schedule include Denver dates with the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 7, the New York Islanders on Jan. 5; the New Jersey Devils on March 15. The Avs play the Detroit Red Wings in Denver on Dec. 27 and Feb. 18.
Colorado’s season-opener against the Dallas Stars is set for the Pepsi Center on Oct. 3.
The NHL scheduled the Avs for 20 weekend home games – the most weekend games at Pepsi Center since the team arrived in Denver in 1995.
The Avs preseason schedule starts Sept. 17 when they travel to Phoenix to take on the Coyotes.
2007-08 AVALANCHE SCHEDULE
(all times Mountain; times subject to change)
Oct. 3 Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Nashville, 6 p.m.
Oct. 7 San Jose, 6 p.m.
Oct. 12 at St. Louis, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 13 Columbus, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 Calgary, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Chicago, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at Minnesota, 4 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Calgary, 7 p.m.
Oct. 28 Minnesota, 6 p.m.
Nov. 1 Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 Vancouver, 8 p.m.
Nov. 5 Calgary, 7 p.m.
Nov. 7 Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Nov. 9 at Vancouver, 8 p.m.
Nov. 11 Minnesota, 6 p.m.
Nov. 16 at Dallas, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 18 at Minnesota, 4 p.m.
Nov. 20 at Calgary, 7 p.m.
Nov. 22 at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Nov. 24 Calgary, 5 p.m.
Nov. 28 Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Nov. 30 at San Jose, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 1 at Los Angeles, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 3 San Jose, 7 p.m.
Dec. 5 at Columbus, 5 p.m.
Dec. 7 Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 St. Louis, 6 p.m.
Dec. 12 at Columbus, 5 p.m.
Dec. 13 at Nashville, 6 p.m.
Dec. 15 Nashville, 7 p.m.
Dec. 17 at Los Angeles, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 19 at Anaheim, 8 p.m.
Dec. 21 N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 Vancouver, 6 p.m.
Dec. 27 Detroit, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 Los Angeles, 1 p.m.
Dec. 31 at Phoenix, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 2 Phoenix, 7 p.m.
Jan. 5 N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 at Detroit, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 9 at Washington, 5 p.m.
Jan. 12 at Carolina, 5 p.m.
Jan. 13 at Florida, 3 p.m.
Jan. 15 at Tampa Bay, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 Chicago, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 Columbus, 6 p.m.
Jan. 22 Nashville, 7 p.m.
Jan. 24 Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Jan. 30 Chicago, 7 p.m.
Feb. 1 at Detroit, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 2 at St. Louis, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 4 Phoenix, 7 p.m.
Feb. 6 at San Jose, 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 9 at Vancouver, 8 p.m.
Feb. 12 Anaheim, 7 p.m.
Feb. 14 St. Louis, 7 p.m.
Feb. 17 at Chicago, 11 a.m.
Feb. 18 Detroit, 6 p.m.
Feb. 20 at Anaheim, 8 p.m.
Feb. 22 at Phoenix, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 24 at Edmonton, 6 p.m.
Feb. 26 at Calgary, 7 p.m.
Feb. 27 at Vancouver, 7 p.m.
Mar. 1 Los Angeles, 7 p.m.
Mar. 4 Vancouver, 7 p.m.
Mar. 6 Anaheim, 7 p.m.
Mar. 8 Dallas, 7 p.m.
Mar. 9 at Dallas, 6 p.m.
Mar. 11 at Atlanta, 5 p.m.
Mar. 13 Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Mar. 15 New Jersey, 1 p.m.
Mar. 17 at Minnesota, 5 p.m.
Mar. 20 at Calgary, 7 p.m.
Mar. 22 at Edmonton, 8 p.m.
Mar. 24 Calgary, 7 p.m.
Mar. 26 Vancouver, 7 p.m.
Mar. 28 Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Mar. 30 at Minnesota, 4 p.m.
Apr. 1 at Vancouver, 8 p.m.
Apr. 6 Minnesota, 3 p.m.
