The new schedule is here! The new schedule is here! The Kings open the 2013-14 season Oct. 3 against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul, Minn. Then they play the Winnipeg Jets the next night in Winnipeg before returning home for their Staples Center opener Oct. 7 against the New York Rangers. Hey, wasn’t that supposed to be last season’s opener? What happened there, anyway? Oh yeah, the lockout happened.

There are a few other highlights, especially the outdoor game against the Ducks. on Jan. 25 at Dodger Stadium. The Kings and Ducks remain Pacific Division rivals after the NHL’s re-alignment and probably the division’s top two teams. They’ll be joined by the San Jose Sharks, the Calgary Flames, the Edmonton Oilers, the Phoenix Coyotes and the Vancouver Canucks. The Dallas Stars have moved to the Central Division.

The Kings and the rest of the NHL will take a break Feb. 9 through Feb. 26 for the Sochi Olympics. The Kings are usually on the road for the first part of February as Staples Center gets taken over annually for the Grammy Awards. This time, they’re home for three games, including a Feb. 3 date with the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, before the Olympic break. The Kings end the regular season April 12 against the Ducks at Staples Center. The playoffs start April 16.

Training camp opens Sept. 11 and the Kings’ first exhibition is Sept. 15.