2012-13 New Jersey Devils Schedule and Analysis

The NHL has announced the 2012-2013 NHL schedule. Here is the schedule for those who haven't seen it yet. For New Jersey Devils fans, we have to wait until October 12^th, 2012 to get our next glance at the 2012 Eastern Conference Champions in action. After the jump is a brief overview of the schedule and a few interesting observations from the schedule.

I'll try and go in chronological order of games so it makes some sort of sense:

Home Opener: October 13^th vs. Boston Bruins

One would think that the NHL would do something similar to the NFL and have a rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals teams. A home and away featuring the Devils and the Kings would sell out and would draw a large national broadcast game...you'd think. We will have to wait until February to get at least a little revenge on the Kings.

First New York Rangers game: October 17^th vs. Rangers

Some good news, Devils' fans won't have to wait very long to see the Devils play their cross-river rivals. The third game of the season for the Devils is at home against the Rangers.

Home and Aways: The Devils have two sets of them.

October 24^th and 26^th against the Buffalo Sabres

December 19^th and 20^th against the Philadelphia Flyers

I find home and aways intriguing because it makes for a fun two game series to watch. Why? You get to see coaching changes and little adjustments that seem like a mini-playoff series. Or maybe I'm crazy.

Longest Road Trip (2):

December 11^th - 17^th

The Devils will face Philly twice in this span along with Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and Florida. Not a really a "road trip"

January 11^th - 19^th - This roadtrip has a lot more miles than the December road trip.

The Devils will head to Canada and face Winnipeg and Ottawa and then swing through Boston for a game on their way to battle Tampa Bay and Florida.

Rematch with the Champs: February 9^th vs. Los Angeles Kings

If you haven't already marked February 9^th on your calendar with lots and lots of red ink you should do so now. (unless you use an iPad or some other fancy device)

Western Conference Trips (2):

February 28^th - March 3^rd : Colorado, St. Louis, and Dallas

March 26^th - March 29^th : Vancouver, San Jose, Anaheim

Longest Home Stand: March 5^th - 13^th

The Devils will play five games at home over this span. They will face Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Philadelphia.

Possible Nationally Televised Games:

Monday December 31^st : New Jersey Devils Vs. New York Islanders 1pm ET

Sunday January 13^th : New Jersey Devils Vs. Ottawa Senators 1pm ET

Saturday February 9^th : New Jersey Devils Vs. LA Kings 1pm ET

Sunday February 24^th : New Jersey Devils Vs. Nashville Predators 1pm ET

Sunday April 7^th : New Jersey Devils Vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 1pm ET

Some Notes:

The Devils have a nice schedule, not extremely long road trips and nothing that looks a unbalanced. However, They do travel a little more in the second half of the season than the first half.

What do you think about the Devils schedule? Good/Bad/Ugly? What games are you looking forward to?