10 NHL games you can’t miss in 2013-14,

Ten coming NHL matches for 2013-14 have the most intriguing storylines

The National Hockey League is expected to release its schedule for the 2013-14 regular season later this week.

The uncertainty surrounding the Phoenix Coyotes situation and NHL players’ participation in the 2014 Olympics delayed the announcement for the schedule, which had been released in late June in recent years.

However, releasing the schedule a few weeks later than usual could help the league, which can move certain games to prime-time locations on more favourable dates. Plus, with all of the recent juggling around the free-agency period, some games are more compelling than they were a month ago.

Here’s a look at 10 games, regular-season contests with the best potential storylines:

1. DETROIT RED WINGS AT OTTAWA SENATORS

Making the Red Wings division opponents of the Senators will generate a new rivalry, but the defection of Daniel Alfredsson to the Motor City has created an instant, compelling storyline. How will Ottawa fans react to seeing their longtime captain in a new jersey? Will Alfredsson hear boos at Canadian Tire Centre for the first time in a game not involving the Toronto Maple Leafs, or will Senators fans continue the tradition of feting Alfredsson at the 11:11 mark of each period? Whatever happens, this will be one of the most anticipated games of the regular season.

2. ANAHEIM DUCKS AT LOS ANGELES KINGS

The NHL has decided to have six outdoor games this season, but none will be scrutinized as much as the one scheduled for Jan. 25 at Dodger Stadium. This will mark the first time the league has staged an outdoor game in a warm climate. If it is successful, it could open the door for outdoor games in places such as Florida, Dallas and Phoenix. However, if it fails, the league could be left with a big mess on and off the ice.

3. NEW YORK RANGERS AT VANCOUVER CANUCKS

This game would have been even more intriguing if the two teams had actually traded coaches during the off-season. Instead, Alain Vigneault and John Tortorella merely swapped places after being fired by Vancouver and New York, respectively. Tortorella has promised to be kinder and gentler towards the media, but a visit from the old New York scribes — specifically Larry Brooks — will put him to the test.

4. BOSTON BRUINS AT CALGARY FLAMES

Jarome Iginla was the face of the Calgary Flames franchise for almost 17 years, but he will make his first visit inside the visitors’ dressing room at the Scotiabank Saddledome this season. Iginla nixed a trade to the Boston Bruins last season, opting to head to Pittsburgh instead. Many Flames fans were upset with his decision as they felt the trade with Boston would have netted a better return. Ironically, Iginla will make his return to Calgary wearing a Bruins jersey after signing a one-year contract with Boston this summer.

5. NEW YORK RANGERS AT COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Thanks to the lockout-shortened 2013 season, there were no regularseason games played outside the conferences. That meant Rick Nash never had a chance to visit Columbus as a member of the New York Rangers. Considering the Blue Jackets appear to be on the upswing since Nash left town, he could get a rude reception at Nationwide Arena.

6. BOSTON BRUINS AT TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

After their epic meltdown in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series, the Maple Leafs will be out to prove themselves against the Bruins. When the Bruins make their first visit to Toronto, the media will undoubtedly bring up the playoff collapse, especially now that the Seguin-Kessel storyline no longer works.

7. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS AT PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

The Flyers have been providing goaltending punchlines for NHL fans for the past 20 years, repeatedly failing to find stability in the crease. So you can imagine how bitter Philadelphia fans will feel when Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky comes to town for the first time in a Blue Jackets jersey. In classic Flyers fashion, they are trying to solve their goaltending woes with former Columbus No. 1 netminder Steve Mason. If history holds true, this game will probably end with a 6-5 score.

8. MINNESOTA WILD AT NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Zach Parise left the Devils organization just a couple of weeks after they reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2012. His first visit back to Newark will be even more painful for New Jersey fans now that Ilya Kovalchuk has decided to retire from the NHL.

9. NASHVILLE PREDATORS AT COLORADO AVALANCHE

Ordinarily, this game would not register on anyone’s radar, but, considering that new Avalanche boss Joe Sakic passed up on defenceman Seth Jones — who had grown up in Denver — to select centre Nathan MacKinnon first overall in the NHL draft, it has many people wondering if Jones will play with an extra edge every time he suits up against the Avalanche.

10. MINNESOTA WILD AT OTTAWA SENATORS

Matt Cooke and Dany Heatley playing in Ottawa on the same night? Enough said.