Penguins schedules released and Ice Bowl News

Also, the NHL schedule was released, and the home opener is against the Stanley Cup Champions Anaheim Ducks and the last two games of the year are against state-rival Flyers. To view the entire schedule click here.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres are the leading candidates for the IceBowl. Thanks to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review for the following:

The Penguins seemingly are a leading candidate to play an outdoor game against the Sabres in Buffalo, if such an event is staged this season.
No announcement on a possible "Ice Bowl" will be made when the league releases its 2007-08 regular-season schedule at 2:30 p.m. today. However, the Buffalo News reported in today's edition that the Sabres would likely play host to the outdoor game, likely on New Year's Day, against the Penguins -- provided logistical issues can be addressed.

According to that report, a game would be played at Ralph Wilson Stadium, which seats 73,967 for football.

League officials would not comment, but the NHL is believed to favor the outdoor game being played in a northern U.S. market. New York City has been ruled out, and Detroit general manager Ken Holland told the Buffalo News that he did not see the Red Wings participating in an outdoor game this season.