2009-10 NHL Schedule: Habs Fans, Circle These Dates!
The NHL has released its 2009-10 schedule just moments ago and the highlights of the season will include two very special events. There will be another edition of the New Year's Day Winter Classic, this time around at Boston's legendary Fenway Park in which the Bruins will host the Flyers in what ought to be a rough and tumble outdoor battle.
Other dates of note will mark games against newly departed former players such as Saku Koivu, Alex Kovalev and Mike Komisarek
One week later, the Canadiens will play their Centennial Game, hosting the Bruins, oddly, on Friday December 5, on the day of the Habs 100th birthday, and not the following Saturday as previously reported.
Additionally, the rumoured Big O date with the Capitals turns out to be just that - unforetunately.
In other bummer news, Saku Koivu wil not be playing a single game on Bell Centre this season. The Canadiens lone match versus the Ducks takes place in Anaheim on March 7.
Mike Komisarek will be in town with the Maple Leafs on October 31, December 1, and April 10. The Canadiens begin and end the season with games against the Leafs.
Alex Kovalev will visit Montreal on October 17, January 16, and March 22.
The schedule set up is similar to last season, in which the Canadiens meet each of their Northeast Division rivals six times, along which 4 tilts each against Eastern Conference foes.
Montreal will also play home and away dates against the three Canadian Western Conference teams rounded out with meetings against all of the other Conference clubs.
A rundown of the number of back to back games, as well the length of home stands and road trips follows the team by team lists.
The Canadiens schedule can be viewed here, at their official site.
Here's a breakdown of dates by team:
Eastern Conference teams
Northeast Division
6 games against the Boston Bruins, featuring former Hab Steve Begin
In Montreal: December 4, February 4, March 13.
In Boston: November 5, February 7, March 2.
6 games against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and newly maligned former Habs defender Mike Komisarek
In Montreal: October 31, December 1, April 10.
In Toronto: October 1, December 26, March 20.
6 games against the Ottawa Senators, featuring Alex Kovalev
In Montreal: October 17, January 16, March 22.
In Ottawa: December 8, December 28, January 30.
6 games against the Buffalo Sabres
In Montreal: December 14, January 3, April 3.
In Buffalo: October 3, December 3, March 24.
Atlantic Division
4 games against the New Jersey Devils and their new/ old coach Jacques Lemaire
In Montreal: January 9, January 22.
In Jersey: December 16, March 27.
4 games against the New York Rangers with former Hab Chris Higgins
In Montreal: October 24, January 23.
In New York: January 17, March 16.
4 games against New York Islanders and their first overall pick John Tavares
In Montreal: October 22, October 26.
In Long Island: December 19, April 6.
4 games against the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby
In Montreal: December 10, February 6.
In Pittsburgh: October 28, November 25.
4 games against the Philadelphia Flyers and their new netminder Ray Emery
In Montreal: December 7, February 13.
In Philadelphia: February 12, April 2.
Southeast Division
4 games against the Washington Capitals with human highlight reel Alexander Ovechkin
In Montreal: November 28, February 10.
In Washington: November 20, January 5.
4 games against the Carolina Hurricanes and their latest signing, former Hab Tom Kostopoulos
In Montreal: November 17, March 31.
In Carolina: December 23, April 8.
4 games against the Atlanta Thrashers
In Montreal: October 20, November 3.
In Atlanta: December 12, December 21.
4 games against the Tampa Bay Lightning featuring Victor Hedman
In Montreal: November 7, March 9.
In Tampa: December 30, January 27.
4 games against the Florida Panthers
In Montreal: January 7, March 25.
In Florida: December 31, January 26.
Western Conference teams
Central Division
1 game against the Stanley Cup finalist Detroit Red Wings
In Montreal: November 21.
1 game against the Chicago Blackhawks and 12 year man Marian Hossa
In Chicago: October 30
1 game against the St. Louis Blues
In Montreal: January 20.
1 game against the Nashville Predators
In Nashville: November 14.
1 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets
In Montreal: November 24.
Northwest Division
2 games against the Vancouver Canucks, with or without Mats Sundin
In Montreal: February 2.
In Vancouver: October 7.
2 games against Mike Cammalleri's old club, the Calgary Flames
In Montreal: November 10
In Calgary: October 6
1 game against the Minnesota Wild and Martin Havlat
In Montreal: December 17.
2 games against the Edmonton Oilers and Sheldon Souray
In Montreal: March 11.
In Edmonton: October 10
1 game against the Colorado Avalanche
In Montreal: October 15
Pacific Division
1 game against the Anaheim Ducks Saku Koivu
In Anaheim: March 7.
1 game against the San Jose Sharks
In San Jose: March 4.
1 game against the Dallas Stars
In Montreal: January 14.
1 game against the Phoenix Coyotes
In Phoenix: November 12.
1 game against the Los Angeles Kings
In Los Angeles: March 6.
Roadtrips of three games or more:
5 games from October 1 to October 10 in Toronto, Buffalo, Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton.
7 games from December 19 to December 31 in Long Island, Atlanta, Carolina, Toronto, Ottawa, Tampa and Florida.
3 games from January 26 to January 30 against Florida, Tampa and Ottawa.
4 games from March 2 to March 7 against the Bruins, Sharks, Kings and Ducks.
4 additional two games road trips
Homestands of three games or more:
6 games from October 15 to October 26 against Colorado, Ottawa, Atlanta, the Islanders, Rangers and Islanders again.
4 games from January 7 to January 16 against Florida, New Jersey, Dallas and Ottawa.
3 games from February 6 to February 10 against Pittsburgh, Boston and Washington.
3 games from March 9 to March 13 against Tampa, Edmonton and Boston.
3 games from March 25 to March 31 against Florida, New Jersey and Carolina.
3 additional two game homestands
15 Back to backs:
October 6/7 - in Calgary and Vancouver
October 30/31 in Chicago and at home against Toronto
November 20/21 in Washingtom and at home against Detroit
November 24/25 at home against Columbus and in Pittsburgh
December 3/4 in Buffalo and at home against the Bruins
December 7/8 at home against Philadelphia and in Ottawa
December 16/17 in New Jersey and at home against Minnesota
December 30/31 in Tampa and Florida
January 16/17 at home against Ottawa and in New York against the Rangers
January 22/23 in New Jersey at home against Rangers
January 26/27 in Florida and in Tampa
February 6/7 at home against the Penguins and Bruins
February 12/13 at home and away against Philadelphia
March 6/7 in Los Angeles and Anaheim
April 2/3 in Philadelphia and at home against Buffalo