Cherrypicking the must-see games on the 2008-09 schedule

After fighting through a series of last-minute decisions (the Dallas Stars vs. the Dallas Cowboys? Wrigley or U.S. Cellular?), the NHL finally released its 2008-09 schedule on Thursday, officially starting the countdown to Opening Night on Oct. 4.

For the record, that's 79 days until four teams -- the Rangers, Senators, Lightning and Penguins -- hook up overseas, and 84 days until the North American slate gets underway with four games on Oct. 9.

The newly redesigned matrix features a diminished emphasis on divisional play (six games, down from eight) and at least one game against every team from the other conference. It also features a home-and-home series for each of the six Canadian teams, a welcome occurrence that's been absent since the lockout.

The regular season ends on April 12, a week later than the 2007-08 season wrapped up. Ostensibly, the extra week affords a little more breathing room during the campaign to lessen the strain of the increased travel necessitated by the inter-conference play. But there may be another reason as well: the Stanley Cup Final is now likely to coincide with the NBA Finals, a more palatable option for the NHL's TV partners who prefer that to going up against two semi-final series of the hoops circuit.

But before we get to that point, there are more than 1,200 games to be played. Although it won't be for lack of trying, we can't watch 'em all. So here's a look at some of the dates we've circled on our calendar after giving the schedule the once-over:

Oct 4:Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa in Stockholm; New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay in Prague

Last season's opening series between the Ducks and Kings in London wasn't as jolly good as the league had hoped, but forcing hockey on the English was a classic square peg/round hole situation. The Swedes and Czechs should be much more welcoming hosts, even if Jaromir Jagr's decision to bolt to Russia takes some of the lustre off the Prague game. Of course, fans will still have the thrill of watching Filip Kuba and Petr Prucha and, likely, the NHL debut of top pick Steve Stamkos

Oct. 9: Toronto at Detroit -- The Red Wings raise the banner to celebrate last season's Stanley Cup and begin their title defense against the NHL's version of the tomato can. Always nice to get that first win under the belt.

Oct. 20:Pittsburgh at Boston -- The evening should mark the return of Patrice Bergeron to Boston 51 weeks after he suffered a career-threatening concussion. Not that anyone in town will notice, what with the Patriots playing on Monday Night Football

That same night, the Rangers host the Dallas Stars. You don't suppose Sean Avery will be a factor in that one, do you?