The Dallas Stars will see more of the Eastern Conference in 2008-09.

The NHL's new schedule matrix ensures more games between the two conferences, with Dallas playing 18 games against the East (up from 10 in each of the last three seasons). Nine of the games vs. the East will be at American Airlines Center (up from five in each of the last three seasons).

The Stars' schedule includes home-and-home matchups with three Eastern Conference teams: New Jersey (in Dallas on New Year's Eve), the New York Rangers (in Dallas on Feb. 6) and Florida (in Dallas on March 28).

The Stars open the 2008-09 regular season Oct. 10 at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The NHL will release its full schedule Thursday.

The Stars open training camp on Sept. 19, then play their preseason opener Sept. 23 in St. Louis. Dallas' first preseason game at American Airlines Center is Sept. 25 against Colorado.