2013 NHL Schedule: Blues Have Challenges Ahead Of Them

The 2013 NHL season schedule has finally been released. It was on-hold thanks to having to wait for CBA approval, but now that's over and done with, we finally know what dates to circle on our calendars, what weekends to book hotels for road trips, and when to prepare for visiting Blackhawks fans.

Also of note: there are no games against Eastern Conference teams, which increases every one of the Blues' 48 games about a billion-fold. No free gimmie points, and no games where it doesn't matter if they let the other team get a point. The Blues need to get two points every chance that they have.

2013 St. Louis Blues Schedule:

• Jan. 19 vs. Detroit, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 21 at Nashville, 5 p.m.
• Jan. 22 at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
• Jan. 24 vs. Nashville, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 26 at Dallas, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 27 vs. Minnesota, 5 p.m.
• Jan. 31 at Columbus, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 1 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
• Feb. 5 vs. Nashville, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 7 vs. Detroit, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 9 vs. Anaheim, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 11 vs. Los Angeles 8 p.m.
• Feb. 13 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
• Feb. 15 at Calgary, 7:30 p.m.
• Feb. 17 at Vancouver, 6 p.m.
• Feb. 19 vs. San Jose, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 20 at Colorado, 8 p.m.
• Feb. 23 vs. Columbus, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 28 vs. Chicago, 7 p.m.
• Mar. 1 vs. Edmonton, 7 p.m.
• Mar. 3 at Dallas, 2 p.m.
• Mar. 5 at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m.
• Mar. 7 at Phoenix, 7 p.m.
• Mar. 9 at San Jose, 1 p.m.
• Mar. 10 at Anaheim, 5 p.m.
• Mar. 12 vs. San Jose, 7 p.m.
• Mar. 14 vs. Phoenix, 7 p.m.
• Mar. 16 vs. Anaheim, 7 p.m.
• Mar. 19 at Vancouver, 7 p.m.
• Mar. 23 at Edmonton, 8 p.m.
• Mar. 24 at Calgary, 6 p.m.
• Mar. 26 vs. Edmonton, 7 p.m.
• Mar. 28 vs. Los Angeles, 7 p.m.
• Apr. 1 at Minnesota, 7 p.m.
• Apr. 4 at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
• Apr. 5 vs. Columbus, 7 p.m.
• Apr. 7 at Detroit, 12:30 p.m.
• Apr. 9 at Nashville, 7 p.m.
• Apr. 11 at Minnesota, 7 p.m.
• Apr. 12 at Columbus, 7 p.m.
• Apr. 14 vs. Chicago, 11:30 a.m.
• Apr. 16 vs. Vancouver, 7 p.m.
• Apr. 18 vs. Phoenix, 7 p.m.
• Apr. 19 vs. Dallas, 7 p.m.
• Apr. 21 at Colorado, 3:30 p.m.
• Apr. 23 vs. Colorado, 7 p.m.
• Apr. 25 vs. Calgary, 7 p.m.
• Apr. 27 vs. Chicago, 7 p.m.

As you can see, the Blues open at home on January 19th against the Detroit Red Wings. Get the welcome ambulance wagon ready, because it's the return of Carlo Colaiacovo! On a more exciting note, it's also the return of the Blues. The league is emphasizing divisional play this season, which is going to be tough for the Blues -- and the rest of the Central Division. Not every game can be against the Blue Jackets, you know -- and the Jackets won't lose every game they play. This season will have to involve more focus than the Blues've ever had, which is great because they're a year older and a year wiser.

Another upshot with a shortened season (even though the games are insanely close together) is that there's a better chance the Blues won't get tired by the end of the year and back into the playoffs. Last season they looked wiped by the end, and their conservation of energy cost them the Presidents Trophy.