The 2012 NHL Schedule has been released and your Dallas Stars have the latest road map to their hopeful playoff return laid out before them. The usual feeling of excitement is muted somewhat this time, of course, due to looming labor strife and an expiring CBA that may or may not be replaced in time to enact the schedule released today.

There's no need to be completely gloomy about it, however. Season ticket holders and the like can still start tentatively planning their lives for the next year around these dates, as at least some of them should be appropriated even in a lockout shortened year.

From the Stars...

Most weeknight games at American Airlines Center will now commence at 7 p.m. instead of the 7:30 starts that have been the case in recent years. Many fans had requested earlier starts during the week, allowing more families to attend games and get home at earlier times. The Stars haveacknowledged and accommodated these requests, and while there will be an occasional later start for television purposes, all Dallas Stars night games (weeknight and weekend) will be 7 p.m. starts.

The Stars' longest home stand this season is five games, which will happen two separate times, the first being from Dec. 27-Jan. 8 (Columbus, Minnesota, Nashville, NY Rangers and Phoenix) with the second occurring from March 23-April 1 (Buffalo, Los Angeles, Detroit, Tampa Bay and Anaheim).

1st Half/2nd Half
The Stars will play 20 of their first 41 games at home, while finishing the second half with 21 of the final 41 games at home.

Back-to-Back Series
Overall: 12 sets (24 games total)
Back-to-back games at home: 7 Back-to-backgames on the road: 17

Road game followed by home game next day: 3
Home game followed by road game next day: 2
Home game followed by home game next day: 1
Road game followed by road game next day: 6

Download and see the schedule after the jump...

Download the PDF here: Dallas Stars 2012-2013 NHL Schedule