Next to the start of free agency in July, perhaps no single event during the off-season is as important to a hockey fan as the release of the upcoming NHL schedule.  As such, it is incumbent upon the sites covering the NHL teams to analyze this schedule to death in the name of journalism.  So without further delay, here are the highlights of the 2009-10 season for the Anaheim Ducks:

First Game: Saturday, October 3, 2009 – vs. San Jose Sharks
Final Game: Sunday, April 11, 2009 – vs. Edmonton Oilers

Olympic Break: Monday, February 15, 2010 – Sunday, February 28, 2010

Longest Homestand (7, twice):

• Thursday, November 19, 2009 – Tuesday, December 1, 2009
  (vs. Lightning, Sharks, Flames, Hurricanes, Blackhawks, Coyotes, Kings)
• Sunday, March 7, 2010 – Sunday, March 21, 2009
  (vs. Canadiens, Blue Jackets, Predators, Sharks, Blackhawks, Islanders, Avalanche)

Longest Roadtrip (6):

• Thursday, January 21, 2010 – Monday, February 1, 2010
  (at Sharks, Blues, Thrashers, Capitals, Lightning, Panthers)

Mark your calendars!

The following games are firsts or one-time-only deals for the Ducks on the 2009-10 schedule:

First game…

• at home: Saturday, October3, 2009 – vs. San Jose Sharks
• on the road: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 – at Minnesota Wild
• in the Shark Tank: Thursday, December 17, 2009
• against the Kings: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 (at Honda Center)
• against the Wings: Saturday, November 14, 2009 (at Joe Louis Arena)
• against the champs: Tuesday, November 3, 2009
  (at Honda Center… the Ducks visit the Penguins November 16 for a rematch)
• against Paul Kariya and the Blues: Saturday, October 17, 2009 (at Honda Center)

Only game…

• against Chris Pronger’s Flyers: Saturday, October 10, 2009 (at Wachovia Center)
• against Brian Burke’s Maple Leafs: Monday, October 26, 2009 (at Honda Center)
• to see Alexander Ovechkin up close: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 (at Verizon Center)
• in Hell: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 (at New Jersey/Prudential Center)
• on Broadway: Sunday, October 11, 2009 (at Madison Square Garden)
• against a team from a French province: Sunday, March 7, 2010 (vs. Canadiens/Honda Center)
• to serve as a Stanley Cup Final grudge match: Sunday, December 6, 2009 (vs. Senators/Honda Center)

Other notes:

• Because of the Olympic break, there will be no All-Star Game/Skills Competition this season
• Back-to-backs potentially presenting an opportunity to have both goalies see action:
  • October 10/11 (at Flyers/at Rangers)
  • October 30/31 (vs. Canucks/at Coyotes)
  • November 13/14 (at Blue Jackets/at Red Wings)
  • December 3/4 (at Stars/at Wild)
  • December 11/12 (at Red Wings/at Blue Jackets)
  • December 16/17 (at Canucks/at Sharks)
  • December 22/23 (at Avalanche/at Coyotes)
  • January 2/3 (at Predators/at Blackhawks)
  • January 9/10 (at Predators/at Blackhawks)
  • January 13/14 (vs. Bruins/at Kings)
  • January 26/27 (at Thrashers/at Capitals)
  • February 3/4 (vs. Red Wings/at Kings)
  • February 13/14 (at Flames/at Oilers)
  • March 6/7 (at Coyotes/vs. Canadiens)
  • March 23/24 (at Flames/at Canucks)
  • April 2/3 (vs. Canucks/at Kings)
  • April 8/9 (at Stars/at Blues)

  (With the Olympic year taking its toll on the NHL schedule in the form of compressing it into a smaller space of time, it’s easy to see the effect it will have on teams when looking at such a long list of back-to-back game nights.)

All that and we’ve just barely scratched the surface of schedule analysis (insofar as it could potentially be analyzed).  In spite of the hefty share of weekend doubleheaders thrown at the team, there lie two great opportunities to gather points in the form of two lengthy homestands.

The Ducks neither face the Kings nor make their first visit to San Jose (where the Sharks will no doubt be hungry for a shot at the Ducks after the disappointment of the 2009 playoffs) until December, but there are lots of interesting matchups to keep Ducks fans on the edges of their seats in the meantime.  Very early on, the team will get a good look at Chris Pronger in his new orange trappings in Philadelphia on October 10.  The fans will also have a chance to boo Paul Kariya when the Blues make a visit a week later.  It will also be interesting to see how Bob Murray’s Ducks fare when facing Brian Burke’s proto-Ducks squad- the Maple Leafs- on October 26.

Plenty of intrigue, plenty of games, plenty of hope.  Only 58 days to go!

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