Must-see games on the 2008/09 NHL schedule

From Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated:

But before we get to that point, there are more than 1,200 games to be played. Although it won't be for lack of trying, we can't watch 'em all. So here's a look at some of the dates we've circled on our calendar after giving the schedule the once-over:

Oct 4: Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa in Stockholm; New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay in Prague

Last season's opening series between the Ducks and Kings in London wasn't as jolly good as the league had hoped, but forcing hockey on the English was a classic square peg/round hole situation. The Swedes and Czechs should be much more welcoming hosts, even if Jaromir Jagr's decision to bolt to Russia takes some of the lustre off the Prague game. Of course, fans will still have the thrill of watching Filip Kuba and Petr Prucha and, likely, the NHL debut of top pick Steve Stamkos.

Read the rest of the must-see games here.

I am not really one to look ahead at the schedule and determine what will be the marquee games of the season. The fact is, so much changes throughout the season that games that look good in August many times look ordinary in December.

Full NHL schedule has been released

From Dan Rosen of nhl.com:

The first pucks in the 91st NHL regular season will drop in two European countries that have supplied the League with a number of premier players over the last two decades.

Sweden and the Czech Republic have opened their doors to the NHL for many years now by developing greats like Nicklas Lidstrom, Daniel Alfredsson, Henrik Lundqvist, Jaromir Jagr and Dominik Hasek.

Read more from Rosen here.

Here is a link to the entire 2008/09 NHL schedule.

Nothing much to say here, except for this release should get everyone pumped for the NHL season.

Full NHL schedule to be released on Thursday

From Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News:

With lots of chatter all over the Internet about when the 2008-09 NHL schedule will be released, here is the latest word from the Sabres:

1). The current plan is for the full NHL schedule to be released Thursday at noon.

Read more from Sabres Edge here.

Just a FYI for all you hockey nuts.

2008 Second Round Playoff Schedule

Here is the Second Round NHL Playoffs schedule courtesy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Penguins vs. N.Y. Rangers
April 25: Rangers at Penguins, 7 p.m.
April 27: Rangers at Penguins, 2 p.m.
April 29: Penguins at Rangers, 7 p.m.
May 1: Penguins at Rangers, 7 p.m.
May 4: Rangers at Penguins, 2 p.m.
May 5: Penguins at Rangers, 7 p.m.
May 7: Rangers at Penguins, TBA

Montreal vs. Philadelphia
April 24: Philadelphia at Montreal, 7 p.m.
April 26: Philadelphia at Montreal, 7 p.m.
April 28: Montreal at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
April 30: Montreal at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
May 3: Philadelphia at Montreal, 7 p.m.
May 4: Montreal at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
May 6: Philadelphia at Montreal, 7 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit vs. Colorado
April 24: Colorado at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
April 26: Colorado at Detroit, 3 p.m.
April 29: Detroit at Colorado, 10 p.m.
May 1: Detroit at Colorado, 10 p.m.
May 3: Colorado at Detroit, 1 p.m.
May 5: Detroit at Colorado, 10 p.m.
May 7: Colorado at Detroit, TBA

San Jose vs. Dallas
April 25: Dallas at San Jose, 10 p.m.
April 27: Dallas at San Jose, 9 p.m.
April 29: San Jose at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
April 30: San Jose at Dallas, 9 p.m.
May 2: Dallas at San Jose, 10 p.m.
May 4: San Jose at Dallas, 9 p.m.
May 6: Dallas at San Jose, 10 p.m.

NHL Schedule is a Joke

Looking over the NHL schedule probably makes one feel like it's Groundhog Day. Nevermind the ridiculous amount of games against division foes (32 in total), but the NHL feels the need to not space these match ups out at all; thus, fans are left with the same Panthers/Hurricanes match up seemingly once per week.

Who is making this schedule? Some teams have an entire week off in the middle of the season (see the Kings recently) and that only serves to make players rusty and, as a result, worsens the quality of play. Now, you may be thinking that a week off gives the players ample rest, well, three days off gives players ample rest, seven days off makes players rusty.

The NHL schedule is a complete joke. The novelty of the key NHL match ups (Habs/Leafs) has completely worn off and I have not recognized any division match ups becoming more heated because of the increased intra-division play. The league can't change this thing fast enough.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.