The Boston Bruins will open their season with back-to-back home games against two teams they just defeated in the playoffs.
The B's, as CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty reported yesterday, will host the Flyers on Thursday, Oct. 6, at which time they will raise the 2011 Stanley Cup championship banner. Then, on Saturday, Oct. 8, they face the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The complete schedule was released Thursday by the National Hockey League.
Other highlights of next year's schedule:
Thirteen of the Bruins' first 17 games will be played at TD Garden.
An early back-to-back showdown with the Canadiens, in Boston on Thursday, Oct. 27, and in Montreal on Saturday, Oct. 29.
The traditional day-after-Thanksgiving game against the Red Wings on Friday, Nov. 25, at 1 p.m.
Boston Bruins
A tough back-to-back: In Pittsburgh on Monday, Dec. 5 and in Winnipeg on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
A Stanley Cup Finals rematch against Vancouver at TD Garden on Saturday, January 7 at 1 p.m.
A six-game, 10-day road trip, beginning Feb. 15.
The final regular-season game on Saturday, April 7, at 3 p.m. against Buffalo at TD Garden.