The NHL today released its schedule for next season and handed the Avalanche a double dose of reality.
The Avalanche open its 15th season in Denver by hosting the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 7 at Pepsi Center.
The Avs start their preseason slate on Sept. 21, at St. Louis. They host Lose Angeles on Sept. 22.
Colorado will play seven exhibition games, the team’s most preseason contests since 2003-04, when they also had seven. The Avs will face the same three opponents, meeting Dallas (three times), Los Angeles (twice) and St. Louis (twice).
Other highlights of the schedule, which was officially released today, include a visit to Pepsi Center from Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 16, as well as a five-game homestand during the Christmas holliday (Dec. 17-27) featuring Ottawa, Montreal and Detroit.
Following the season opener, the Avs travel to Philadelphia to meet the other Stanley Cup finalist, the Philadelphia Flyers, on Oct. 11 at the Wachovia Center.
The Avalanche will face every Eastern Conference team for the third straight year, playing a total of 18 games against the East (nine at home, nine away).
Colorado plays 64 games within its own conference, facing its division rivals six times each (three home, three away) and the other Western Conference teams four times apiece (twice at home).
The Avs host the Blackhawks a second time on Dec. 13 and host the Red Wings on Monday, Dec. 27 and Monday, Jan. 10. The Avs wrap up the regular season by hosting the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, April 10.
The Avs will play a total of 14 back-to-back games.
The Avalanche will have a five-day break when the NHL All-Star Weekend is held Jan. 29-30 in Raleigh, N.C.
Avs preseason schedule:
Sept. 21 … at St. Louis … 6 p.m.
Sept. 22 … Los Angeles … 7 p.m.
Sept. 24 … at Dallas … 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 … St. Louis … 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 … Dallas … 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 … at Dallas … 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 … Los Angeles … 7 p.m. (in Las Vegas)
