The Anaheim Ducks will take the Stanley Cup back to its birthplace when they open the NHL’s 90th season in London and begin defense of their first championship against the rival Los Angeles Kings.
The two-game series kicks off the 2007-08 schedule, released by the league Wednesday.
Anaheim, which became the NHL’s first West Coast champion by beating Ottawa in the finals in June, will show off the Cup in England on Sept. 29-30. The oldest trophy in North American sports was purchased in London at the Regent Street shop of silversmith G.R. Collis & Co. 115 years ago.
The matchup marks the first regular-season NHL games played in Europe. Each team will serve as the home club for one of the games.
But if you can’t make it across the pond for the NHL opener, the Avalanche opens its season at the Pepsi Center on Oct. 3 when the Dallas Stars visit Denver at 7:30 p.m.
Also on the Avs’ home docket: Chris Drury and the New York Rangers (Dec. 21) and Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins (Nov. 1).
