The New York Islanders open their 2012-2013 regular season on Friday, Oct. 12 against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to the NHL schedule released on Thursday.
New York's home opener comes one day after its regular season opener, on Saturday, Oct. 13 against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Islanders' regular season concludes on April 13, 2013 when they host the New Jersey Devils.
Key dates include Tuesday, Nov. 6, when the Islanders visit the Los Angeles Kings for their first and only meeting with the Stanley Cup champions. The Islanders' first meeting with the in-state rival New York Rangers comes on Nov. 13, 2012 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Islanders' first visit to Madison Square Garden comes on Dec. 2.
The New Jersey Devils open their 2012-2013 regular season on Friday, Oct. 12 at the Washington Capitals, according to the 2012-2013 NHL schedule released on Thursday.
The Devils' home opener comes one day later, against the Boston Bruins on Saturday, Oct. 13. The Devils host the New York Rangers on Oct. 17 in a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals, and make a trip to Madison Square Garden on Dec. 22. New Jersey's regular season concludes on April 13, 2013, with a trip to meet the New York Islanders.
Perhaps the Devils' toughest stretch of the 2012-13 season will come in the middle of December, when they embark on an eight-games-in-16-days stretch that includes seven road games and meetings with the Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers (three times).
