The NHL unveiled its schedule for the 2012-13 season on Thursday. The schedule was made with the assumption that there won't be a lockout or any labor issues that delay the start of the season, but with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire this summer, there's no telling what might happen.
If the season starts on time, the Detroit Red Wings will open their 2012-13 schedule at home on Oct. 12 against the Nashville Predators. The Red Wings have two other home games in October and a total of six games on the road, including their first game in Winnipeg since the Jets returned last season.
In November, the Red Wings will spend a lot more time at Joe Louis Arena. After starting the month with two games on the road, the Red Wings will return home for five straight games. Three away games in the rest of the month will break up four more home games.
December's schedule for the Red Wings includes a lot of interesting matchups, most of which are at home. The Washington Capitals and Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings will be in Detroit in the month of December, as will the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders. The Red Wings will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins toward the end of the month, and they will also face the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators on the road.
January is headlined by the 2013 Winter Classic against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 1. It will be played at Michigan Stadium and begin at 1 p.m. ET.
The month of February is most notable for how many games it includes despite being a short month. In total, the Red Wings have 15 games in 28 days, including four back-to-backs. That's a lot of hockey.
The season will start to wind down in March with games against the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Predators and Dallas Stars, among others. This will lead into April, when the Red Wings take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, Jets, St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild, Predators and Colorado Avalanche. The Red Wings' final two games of the regular season (against Nashville and Colorado) are both on the road.
For more on the Detroit Red Wings, check out Winging It In Motown. You can check out more hockey news from around the league at SB Nation's NHL page.