-- Tickets now on sale for Opening Weekend: Saturday, Jan. 19 and Monday. Jan. 21; all other home games on sale Friday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. --

Nashville, Tenn. – The National Hockey League released its 48-game 2012-13 regular-season schedule today with the Nashville Predators opening their 15th season with a pair of home games against Central Division rivals. Opening Night will see the Columbus Blue Jackets come to town on Saturday, Jan. 19, followed by the St. Louis Blues on Monday, Jan. 21.

The 48-game schedule configuration calls for the Predators to play two Central Division opponents five times (Columbus and Chicago), two Central Division opponents four times (Detroit and St. Louis), and all other Western Conference teams three times each. Nashville will host the Blue Jackets three times while traveling to Columbus twice; will host the Blackhawks twice while traveling to Chicago three times; and play two games both at home and on the road against the Red Wings and Blues.

There will be five other teams – Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Phoenix and Dallas – that will come to Bridgestone Arena two times with Nashville visiting their home venue once, and five more teams – Minnesota, Colorado, Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose – that will visit the Music City once and see the Predators travel to twice.

The Nashville Predators also announced today that tickets for the first two homes games of the 2012-13 regular season (Jan. 19 vs. the Columbus and Jan. 21 vs. St. Louis) are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena box office, through all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, nashvillepredators.com and (615) 770-7800.

Season ticketholders continue to receive the biggest savings, reserved seating and most comprehensive benefits of all fans, with an exclusive pre-sale through Thursday, Jan. 17 for all 2012-13 home games. Tickets for the 2012-13 regular season go on sale to the general public on Friday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. through all outlets. Due to the shortened season, ticket inventory may be limited.

“We are extremely excited to get this season started and welcome back our Citizens of Smashville,” Predators CEO Jeff Cogen said. “Last season we averaged 16,690 fans a game, thanks in large part to our most loyal fans – our season ticket holders. With such a quick start and just 24 home games, we owe it to those season ticket holders, suite holders and partners to give them the time and opportunity to select all the games they want before going on sale to the general public.”

Great payment plans are currently available for several season packages. You can also create your own ticket plan with the Dunkin’ Donuts Flex 12 Plan by selecting 12 games that fit your personal schedule. To order tickets to the Nashville Predators, visit nashvillepredators.com/seasonticket or contact a ticket representative at 615-770-7800.

For the Nashville Predators schedule click here

The television schedule is still TBD. All games are scheduled to be broadcast on the Nashville Predators flagship radio station 102.5 The Game.