My take on the schedule using last year standings as a gauge.
October
Fairly easy month and I only see one back-to-back. Only playing three playoff teams in Sharks, Habs, Wild, and Bruins. Play against the Habs on SportsNet
November
Two back-to-back games, but still an easy month. Got a good home streak, but then a brutal Northeastern swing. Avs get a Hockey Night in Canada game against the Philadelphia Flyers (weird not seeing a Canadian team involved). 6 of 14 games are played against playoff teams.
December
See two back-to-backs in Dec and we get two Hockey Night in Canada against the Blues and Sabres. 8 out of the 13 games are against playoff teams. Tough month.
January
Another Hockey Night in Canada against the Lightning. One back-to-back. 5 of the 13 games are against playoff teams. Avs go on a 5 game road streak this month.
February
10 of the 13 games are against playoff teams. One Hockey Night in Canada against the Dallas Stars. Avs have a 4 game home stand in Feb. Very tough month.
March
ANOTHER 5 game road trip for the Avs, get one game on Hockey Night in Canada against the Flames and one Sportsnet game against the Oilers. 5 of the 13 games are against playoff opponents. Two back to backs, but easy teams.
April
6 games to finish off the season, but getting another two HNIC games against the Hawks (which is also the final game) and against the Kings. 4 out of those 6 games are against playoff opponents. One back-to-back
Losing TSN sucks, but for the Canadian viewer whom doesn't have Centre Ice, this new deal is rocking for you.
But man I think this is a brutal schedule if you factor in how many road swings we're going to be on, especially for a long period of time.