Hockey schedule set
At long last, Dallas Stars to open NHL season at home against Phoenix Coyotes
After much delay, the Dallas Stars will open the 2013 season at home against the Phoenix Coyotes on January 19, according to the schedule released by the Stars and the NHL on January 13.
The NHL Lockout ended January 6 when the NHL owners and the NHL Players’ Association reached a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. The release of the schedule was delayed until both sides approved the deal. The final approval, by the NHLPA, came January 12.
The 48-game schedule for the Stars starts January 19 and runs until April 27. They face Stanley Cup champion LA Kings five times.
The 48-game schedule for the Stars runs until April 27 and features no Eastern Conference teams. The Stars will play 18 games against their four rivals in the Pacific Division and three games against the remaining 10 teams in the Western Conference. The schedule is designed to reduce travel, but the Stars did draw 12 back-to-back dates on the road.
The Stars must face the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings five times, including three times in Los Angeles. The Stars don’t host the Kings until March 31. The Stars also face Anaheim five times, while facing Phoenix and San Jose four times each.
Of their remaining intra-conference games, the Stars drew two home games against Calgary, Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis and Vancouver.
The Stars are celebrating their 20th season in Dallas. Tickets went on sale at 10 am January 13.