Rangers open in Stockholm; Isles at home
Matt Moulson #26 of the New York Islanders celebrates his first period goal against the Florida Panthers with teammates Mark Eaton #4 and John Tavares #91. (Nov. 20, 2010) Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Rangers won't play a home game next season until Oct. 27, starting the year with seven road games in three countries.
The Islanders will have played five home games by that date, part of starting the 2011-12 season with eight of the first 11 games at Nassau Coliseum.
The NHL released the schedule for the coming season, which kicks off on Oct. 6 with the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins hosting the Flyers. Also that night the Penguins, with Sidney Crosby presumably back from missing the second half of last season with a concussion, visit the Canucks and the Canadiens visit the Leafs.
The Rangers open with a two-game trip to Stockholm, facing the Kings on Oct. 7 and Ducks on Oct. 8. The Islanders open at home against the Panthers on Oct. 8.
The Rangers' only appearance in the eastern time zone the first three weeks of the season is Oct. 15, when they face the Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum. With Madison Square Garden undergoing the first major phase of its renovation, the Rangers then head off on a four-game swing in western Canada, facing the Canucks, Oilers, Flames and then the unnamed Winnipeg team before returning home to face the Leafs Oct. 27.
The Rangers also are officially on the schedule for the Winter Classic against the Flyers on Jan. 2 in Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia.
The Islanders host the Rangers on Nov. 15, then make two quick visits to the Garden on Dec. 22 and 26, before the teams finish their six-game season series at the Coliseum on Feb. 24 and the Garden on March 11.
The Rangers close out their regular season with the Caps at the Garden on April 7, after final-week trips to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Islanders finish with a visit to the Blue Jackets on April 7. Their final home game is April 5 against Winnipeg.
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