With a new schedule in place, the following calendar outlines key dates for NHL fans heading into the 2013 season.
Jan. 19
NHL season kicks off with 13 games
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings – Defending champions to raise Stanley Cup banner
Jan. 20
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers – Rick Nash makes debut at Madison Square Garden
Jan. 22
San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers – Nail Yakupov expected to make home debut
Feb. 2
Dallas Stars vs. Phoenix Coyotes – Ray Whitney returns to Phoenix
Feb. 6
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens – Zdeno Chara tends to get the fans heated in Montreal
Feb. 7
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks – Raffi Torres’ first game in Chicago after infamous Marian Hossa hit
Feb. 11
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – Luke Schenn and James van Riemsdyk meet for first time in new uniforms
March 9
Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators – Ryan Suter makes return to Nashville
April 3
Trade Deadline
April 27
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – Jordan Staal makes long-awaited return to Pittsburgh
April 27
Final day of NHL regular season
April 29
NHL Draft Lottery
April 30
Stanley Cup playoffs begin
May 27 to June 1
NHL Draft Combine, Toronto
June 28
Last possible date for Stanley Cup Final
July 5
Free agency opens
TBA
NHL Entry Draft, New Jersey
2013 NHL Awards