2001-2002 NHL Schedule Released

The National Hockey League released it’s schedule for the 2001-2002 season on Wednesday.

The Red Wings will start the season in San Jose on October 4. Detroit’s home opener will be on October 10 against Calgary.

Early in the season, the Red Wings will host the Buffalo Sabres (October 12) and Los Angeles Kings (October 20). The Wings aquired Vezina-winning goaltender Dominik Hasek from the Sabres for Slava Kozlov and a draft pick, and signed former-King Luc Robitaille as a free agent.

The Red Wings will play their first game against Aaron Ward and his new team in Carolina on October 30.

Detroit’s only matchup with the Boston Bruins, with whom former Red Wing Martin Lapointe signed as a free agent, is March 16 in Boston.

The first meeting between the Wings and arch-rival Colorado will take place on December 5 in Detroit.

The season ends with what could be a crucial home-and-home series against division rival St. Louis on April 13 and 14.