Sharks’ Schedule Released

Mar 15, 2012; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the third period at HP Pavilion. San Jose defeated Nashville 2-1 in shootouts. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

The San Jose Sharks’ 2013 season was released tonight after the MOU (Memo of Understanding) was signed by the players’ association, officially ending the lockout.

The Sharks will begin their season in Calgary against the Flames on Jan. 20, then head to Edmonton to face the Oilers on the 22nd.

Their home opener at HP Pavilion will be on Jan. 24 against the Phoenix Coyotes.

Due to the lockout, the season will be shortened to just 48 games and include nine back-to-backs.

The San Jose Mercury News breaks down the schedule:

The Sharks will play an imbalanced schedule with five games against two of their Pacific Division rivals – Phoenix and the Anaheim Ducks – and four games against the other two, the Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings. San Jose gets the extra home game against the Coyotes and will make a third trip to Anaheim.

The Sharks also will play each team in the Northwest and Central divisions three times.

The toughest stretch will be during mid-February, when they head on a six-game road trip due to the SAP Tennis taking place at HP Pavilion.

When asked his opinion on the schedule, head coach Todd McLellan said, “It’s quirky, but it’s not the disaster it could have been.”

JANUARY
Sun    20    @ Calgary    4:00 p.m.
Tue    22    @ Edmonton    7:00 p.m.
THU    24    PHOENIX    7:30 p.m.
SAT    26    COLORADO    1:00 p.m.
SUN    27    VANCOUVER    5:00 p.m.
TUE    29    ANAHEIM    7:30 p.m.
THU    31    EDMONTON    7:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY
SAT    2    NASHVILLE    7:30 p.m.
Mon    4    @ Anaheim    7:00 p.m.
TUE    5    CHICAGO    7:30 p.m.
SAT    9    PHOENIX    1:00 p.m.
Mon    11    @ Columbus    4:00 p.m.
Tue    12    @ Nashville    5:00 p.m.
Fri    15    @ Chicago    5:30 p.m.
Tue    19    @ St. Louis    5:00 p.m.
Fri    22    @ Chicago    5:30 p.m.
Sat    23    @ Dallas    5:00 p.m.
TUE    26    COLORADO    7:30 p.m.
THU    28    DETROIT    7:30 p.m.

MARCH
SAT    2    NASHVILLE    7:30 p.m.
Tue    5    @ Vancouver    7:00 p.m.
Wed    6    @ Calgary    6:30 p.m.
SAT    9    ST. LOUIS    1:00 p.m.
Sun    10    @ Colorado    5:00 p.m.
Tue    12    @ St. Louis    5:00 p.m.
THU    14    LOS ANGELES    7:30 p.m.
Sat    16    @ Los Angeles    7:30 p.m.
Mon    18    @ Anaheim    7:00 p.m.
Wed    20    @ Edmonton    6:30 p.m
Sat    23    @ Minnesota    11:00 a.m.
Mon    25    @ Anaheim    7:00 p.m.
WED    27    ANAHEIM    7:00 p.m.
THU    28    DETROIT    7:30 p.m.
SAT    30    PHOENIX    7:30 p.m.

APRIL
MON    1    VANCOUVER    7:30 p.m.
WED    3    MINNESOTA    7:30 p.m.
FRI    5    CALGARY    7:30 p.m.
SUN    7    DALLAS    1:00 p.m.
Tue    9    @ Columbus    4:00 p.m.
Thu    11    @ Detroit    4:30 p.m.
Sat    13    @ Dallas    5:00 p.m.
Mon    15    @ Phoenix    7:00 p.m.
TUE    16    LOS ANGELES    7:30 p.m.
THU    18    MINNESOTA    7:30 p.m.
SUN    21    COLUMBUS    5:00 p.m.
TUE    23    DALLAS    7:00 p.m.
Wed    24    @ Phoenix    7:00 p.m.
Sat    27    @ Los Angeles    7:30 p.m.