The Vancouver Canucks’ new season will begin against the team that ended their last one.
The Canucks open their 2013-14 season Oct. 3 in San Jose against a Sharks team that swept them from the first-round of the NHL playoffs last season.
The Canucks open their season under new head coach John Tortorella by playing 13 of their first 20 games on the road. That includes a season-long seven-game trip that begins Oct. 15 in Philadelphia and makes stops in Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Coilumbus, New York (Islanders), New Jersey and St. Louis.
Vancouver plays its home-opener on Sunday, Oct. 5 against the Edmonton Oilers.
This year’s schedule is a balanced one, meaning the Canucks play each team at least twice. The Canucks are also playing in a new Pacific division with Edmonton, Calgary, San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim and Phoenix. The three other divisions have been named Metropolitan, Atlantic and Central.
The Canucks visit the New York Rangers, now coached by former Vancouver bench boss Alain Vigneault, on Nov. 30 at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers visit Vancouver on April 1.
The Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks make two visits to Vancouver on Nov. 23 and Jan. 29.
This season’s schedule features a lengthy Olympic break. The Canucks play their last game before the break Feb. 8 in Toronto and resume play after the break at home Feb. 26 against St. Louis.
The Canucks’ Heritage Classic game at B.C. against the Ottawa Senators on March 2 is a 1 p.m. start.
The Montreal Canadiens visit Rogers Arena on Oct. 12, while the Leafs pay a visit on Nov. 2. The Pittsburgh Penguins visit Vancouver on Jan. 7.
The Canucks close out their 82-game regular season at home against the Calgary Flames on April 13.