This article is part of our Schedule Analysis series.
(Ed Note: Brian initially wrote this story on Tuesday, but a publishing hiccup caused it to be posted after the start of the season. Normally this column will appear on Sundays, covering a Monday-through-Sunday week.)
In addition to your favorite weekly rambles from us, the beginning of the NHL season will bring eight teams who play three games as well as two Canadian and two U.S. cities that will cut the ribbon on the new campaign with regional rivalries on opening night. Four MORE U.S. cities will host the league's first home-and-home, including one of the traditional variety. Mostly, the first week of the 2014-15 season will bring an end to the chaos of training camp with quite a bit of consistency. Twenty-two teams will begin with just a pair of tilts in the five day opening week. It's been a long offseason folks, a lot of personnel has changed locations. Enough toiling between the declining veteran forward and the promising young training camp prospect. It's time to start locking lineups and as usual, the NHL schedule has some trends to help you.
*B2b (back-to-back occurrences) are in bold
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Home-and-home
Hurricanes and Islanders (Hurricanes won the series 3-1 in last year)
After a few seasons as an assistant coach, Ron Francis returns to the organization and moves up a couple of hundred feet. Well actually he owns stake in the team, so he's moving laterally but does manipulating your investment give him an inside edge on other newly placed GMs or cloud
(Ed Note: Brian initially wrote this story on Tuesday, but a publishing hiccup caused it to be posted after the start of the season. Normally this column will appear on Sundays, covering a Monday-through-Sunday week.)
In addition to your favorite weekly rambles from us, the beginning of the NHL season will bring eight teams who play three games as well as two Canadian and two U.S. cities that will cut the ribbon on the new campaign with regional rivalries on opening night. Four MORE U.S. cities will host the league's first home-and-home, including one of the traditional variety. Mostly, the first week of the 2014-15 season will bring an end to the chaos of training camp with quite a bit of consistency. Twenty-two teams will begin with just a pair of tilts in the five day opening week. It's been a long offseason folks, a lot of personnel has changed locations. Enough toiling between the declining veteran forward and the promising young training camp prospect. It's time to start locking lineups and as usual, the NHL schedule has some trends to help you.
*B2b (back-to-back occurrences) are in bold
----------------
Home-and-home
Hurricanes and Islanders (Hurricanes won the series 3-1 in last year)
After a few seasons as an assistant coach, Ron Francis returns to the organization and moves up a couple of hundred feet. Well actually he owns stake in the team, so he's moving laterally but does manipulating your investment give him an inside edge on other newly placed GMs or cloud judgment? Anything to take the focus off Jordan Staal's (leg) absence, huh Ron?
The Isles are getting a head start on their grand re-opening and will unveil their recently bolstered blue line (Nick Leddy, Johnny Boychuk) to go along with a core of promising young producers and some veteran pickups (Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin). Not to mention their first stable number one man (Jarolsav Halak) between the pipes since Kelly Hrudey? Or not and they export the curse to Brooklyn.
Colorado and Minnesota (Colorado won series 4-0-1 in 2013-14)
While the Avs blew out the Wild in the regular season, it was Minnesota that moved on in playoffs to eventually lose to Chicago. Colorado had a near facelift on both ends of the ice, parting ways with Paul Stastny, P.A. Parenteau, Andre Benoit and Matt Hunwick while welcoming aging stars Jarome Iginla, Danny Briere and Brad Stuart among others. Minnesota also said goodbye to a slew of talent, starting with deadline acquisitions Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick as well as Dany Heatley and Clayton Stoner. EDGE: Minnesota
Opening Night
The forecast calls for old-school style, get dirty because neither team is at full speed, hockey. And, well, because its Philly and Boston...Outside of R.J. Umberger, neither the B's nor the Flyers (Scott Hartnell and Steve Downie respectively) have done much besides part ways with talent since the cup was last given out. EDGE: Boston.
Montreal adds P.A. Parenteau and Manny Malhotra, but lost Thomas Vanek, Brian Gointa and Josh Gorges.Toronto literally turned over a new leaf, sending away eight players (six forwards) including the likes of Dave Bolland, Mason Raymond, Jay McClement and Nikolai Kulemin but added Mike Santorelli, David Booth, Daniel Winnik and Stephane Robidas. EDGE: Toronto
The Sharks offseason has been well documented, but just a reminder that Martin Havlat, Brad Stuart and Dan Boyle are gone while John Scott and Taylor Fedun are mere additions. While the Kings will certainly miss Willie Mitchell, L.A. managed to retain most of its championship team, including Marian Gaborik. EDGE Los Angeles.
Sure, Vancouver has recovered from their goaltender drama by bringing in Ryan Miller. But for the first time in a ridiculously long era, the Canucks know just how the Flames feel. Calgary lost Michael Cammallerri while Vancouver finally ended the Kesler, John Tortorella saga. On paper, it appears Calgary improved more than their B.C. foes by adding goaltender Jonas Hiller and even a former Canucks forward, Mason Raymond. Also, it appears Kevin Bieska (undisclosed) will miss opening night. EDGE: Calgary.
Get more info about injured players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at on our injury page.
Three of a Kind
Calgary - After their opening night joust with the Canucks, Calgary plays their next six on the road, including a contest with the Oilers the next evening. While new guy Jonas Hiller is very much favored, we highly doubt he'll play on b2b nights to start the season. Karri Ramo anyone? Add RotoWire's NHL Projected Starting Grid to your bookmarks or feed for more definitive info. Opponents: (VAN, @EDM, @STL)
Montreal - The math does not add up for Montreal loyalists who said goodbye to Thomas Vanek, Josh Gorges, Brian Gointa and Danny Briere. However, additions like P.A. Parenteau, Tom Gilbert and Manny Malhotra should soothe the sting. Opponents: (@TOR, @WAS, @PHI)
New York Rangers - Although the Rangers have their share of problems (Derek Stepan) and will begin their season with a pair of tilts against two very tough (Jackets, Blues) squads on the road, there's a nice mix of new faces (Anthony Duclair) and old hats (Dan Boyle) on Broadway. Even if they begin 1-2 this season, something tells us it could be an explosive week. Opponents: (@STL, @CBJ, TOR).
Pair of Aces (favorable SOS)
Aside from thieving Scott Hartnell for the aforementioned Umberger, Columbus stayed status quo for the most part this summer. OPPONENTS: @BUF, NYR)
Tampa Bay said their goodbyes (Sami Salo, Anders Lindback, Ryan Malone) to almost as many they welcomed (Brian Boyle, Anton Stralman, Jason Garrison) OPPONENTS:(FLA, OTT)
Pair of Deuces (unfavorable SOS)
Buffalo certainly strengthened their balance, re-adding Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick as well as Canadiens' defectors Josh Gorges and Brian Gionta. But it's Andrej Meszaros that will hopefully help fill the gaps left by Christian Ehrhoff and John Scott. OPPONENTS (CBJ, @CHI)
Detroit starts off the season with two at home. However, the quality of the two opponents is more difficult than most this week. Still no word on Daniel Alfredsson who may join David Legwand on the alumni report. OPPONENTS: (BOS, ANA)
