HOCKEY REPORTER
The Montreal Canadiens' regular-season game at Olympic Stadium is expected to be on the agenda when the 2009-10 NHL schedule is released tomorrow.
The final tinkering to the 92nd NHL regular season will be made in the next 24 hours, but a league source indicated yesterday that a Habs home game against the Washington Capitals and star sniper Alex Ovechkin "is still in the mix for late November."
The indoor game at Olympic Stadium is expected to be contested on Nov. 28 or the previous Saturday to help commemorate the Canadiens' centennial celebrations that will conclude on Dec. 5 with a match against the rival Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre.
The Olympic Stadium game was an idea brought forth, discussed and met with approval at the competition committee meeting three weeks ago - providing the NHL schedule makers could accommodate the request.
The NHL season will commence on Oct. 1 with an opening night that includes a Canadiens affair against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre and a Calgary Flames-Vancouver Canucks tilt at GM Place.
Two nights later, the Flames return home to entertain the Edmonton Oilers.
The NHL also will have regular-season games in Europe for the third year in a row. On Oct. 2 and 3, the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues will play games at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, and the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks will meet for back-to-back matches at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki.
Among the other highlights to the NHL season will be the Winter Classic game at Fenway Park between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers on New Year's Day, as well as Hockey Day in Canada on Jan. 30.
The annual celebration will again consist of three games, beginning with the Ottawa Senators and Canadiens, followed by the Leafs and Canucks as well as the Flames and Oilers.