Western Canada will have to wait.
With Winnipeg occupying Atlanta's Southeast division until the 2012-13 NHL season, the Jets will face western Canadian teams only once each. Canada's eastern teams will take on the Jets four times each. Enjoy it, Jets fans, because that situation will be reversed after this season with realignment to properly accommodate the Jets.
We'll lead up to the beginning of the pre-season with a look at the Jets' chances against those three eastern teams. First up, the Montreal Canadiens:
Jets vs. Canadiens
The Habs will help reintroduce NHL hockey to Winnipeg with the home opener on Sunday, October 9th. Based on last season's results, the Habs are easily the best team of Canada's Eastern Conference teams, and will not surrender the eight available points easily.
Last year, the series between the Thrashers and Habs was split at two wins apiece, with Montreal's two wins coming only after Atlanta shipped Ilya Kovalchuk off to New Jersey.
Jets fans can expect even tougher games this year, as the Habs look to rebound after a first round playoff loss against the Bruins, and the Jets likely struggle to match Montreal's offensive strength.
Series prediction: 3-1 Montreal
